Effect of nasal lavage on nasal symptoms and physiology in wood industry workers

Rhinology. 1997 Sep;35(3):108-12.

Abstract

Nasal complaints and impaired nasal physiology are common in various occupational environments. Saline lavage has been recommended as treatment but has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. In this cross-sectional study of 45 wood industry workers, a significant decrease in nasal symptoms (such as obstruction, posterior secretions, itching, irritation and sneezing) was seen after a 3-week treatment with Rhinomer, which contains de-ionized, sterilized, isotonic seawater. Nasal peak expiratory flow (NPEF), especially in workers with nasal complaints, and nasal mucociliary clearance also improved significantly. The treatment, according to participants, was simple to perform and there were only a few side effects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dust / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isotonic Solutions
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucociliary Clearance / physiology
  • Nose Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Nose Diseases / etiology
  • Nose Diseases / physiopathology
  • Occupational Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases / physiopathology
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
  • Seawater
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wood*

Substances

  • Dust
  • Isotonic Solutions