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Will the Neti Pot Help or Hurt?

Francesca Silva

glaucoma.jpgOkay, so this is going to sound like yet another excuse not to start using my Neti Pot.

But it’s not. I’m not procrastinating this time – honestly. Let me explain.

For the last few years I’ve had eye problems, and last week I went for my regular eye appointment with the glaucoma specialist. I’ve been seeing him every three months for the past two years and so far everything has been stable.

Until now.

The specialist told me

that the vision in my right eye has deteriorated and my eye pressure has elevated, which means there’s an increased risk of my developing glaucoma.Oh. Bit of a problem for someone who makes a living editing and writing.

So now I’m on eye drops. And my eye specialist has told me not to put any additional stress on my eye – no heavy lifting, bending, or anything else that could exacerbate the problem.

So does this include using the Neti Pot? I’m not sure. I remember Christina’s blog about how she almost blew her head off the first time she used it. If I have the same first-time reaction, that’s not going to be great for my eye pressure.

So all kidding aside, I’m not sure whether I should take the chance and try using my Neti Pot or just hold off until my eye pressure (hopefully) drops.

I’d really appreciate it if someone could give me some advice on this (and I have no doubt whatsoever that Christina’s going to weigh in).
[tags]neti pot, glaucoma, eye vision, eye pressure, stress, eye drops[/tags]

7 Responses to “Will the Neti Pot Help or Hurt?”

  1. Nicole says:

    If you don’t want to use your neti pot, there is another sinus rinse system by NeilMed that I love. It takes no acrobatics, you simply fill it, put it to your nostril, and squeeze. It’s a low pressure system, so it does the same type of rinsing as your neti pot would(if you’d TRY IT ALREADY :P), but without having to enroll in stunt school to get it working.

  2. Bekki says:

    i do not use neti pot but didn’t think there was any pressure……….do you need help with blood pressure issues? i teach holistic medicine. you can email me at [email protected].


  3. Kumi says:

    I’m sorry to hear that your eye pressure is high. My mother has the same issue that her eye pressure becomes higher at night, so she’s been taking pills for the last few years. I actually have a potential to have glaucoma already. I sometimes feel the pressure of my left eye at night, so I try to cool it down before going to sleep. I believe there should still have a chance to resolve this problem if I change the diet. I’ve been taking a lot of greens (at least power with vitamins).

    I read that you’ve been already having the “pressure” from neti pot you have itself, even though you haven’t used it!? There is a saying in Japan that “it’s easier to just bear a baby than to worry about it.” That means if you do it, it might be easier than you expected and if you are too afraid to do so, then you keep worrying more and more as time goes by. (sorry about my bad translation but hopefully you understand what I’m trying to say.)

    Neti pot cleanses your nasals and you get better, more and cleaner oxygen into your body that will help your body relieve any tensions you have. It’s almost the same concept as doing Yoga. Breathing is one of the most important aspects during the practice, right?

    Hope you’ll have fun with the first experience of nasal cleansing!! And we all look forward to the day we read you did it!
    I’m sure you’ll LOVE the neti pot:)

    Take care,
    Kumi




  4. Sharada Hall says:

    Using a neti pot is safe even for people with glaucoma. However for glaucoma, Ayurveda teaches to make an eyewash by decocting the herbal formula, Triphala, and rinsing your eye in it. They sell eye wash cups at pharmacies, and you can buy triphala powder, not tablets, through Ayurvedic herb companies. I highly recommend it. In my experience, my patients have benefitted from doing this.
    Good Luck!
    Dr. Sharada Hall, DOM

  5. Christina says:

    Oh what wonderful comments and suggestions from so many individuals.

    My experience with the Neti Pot is very different from others. You must remember that I have had a long history of sinus and bronchial issues most of my life. Even sinus sprays that the specialists recommended that weren’t suppose to hurt caused me terrible pain when I used them.

    As the days go by and I continue using the Neti Pot, which I don’t use on a daily basis any longer as it is not necessary. There is no longer the intensity or pressure. I do believe that my sinuses are no longer as swollen as they used to be hence why I no longer feel I am affected by the sleep apnea.

    I agree with Nicole that there is the other form which is the form my own mother uses at 85 years of age. It is just easier for her. There are no aerobics or stunts involved with using the neti pot. it’s just as simple as tilting your head to one side or the other.

    We have posted a wonderful video on the site to show the simplicity. Have a look and it may help to ease the tension.

    Kumi posted about diet and nutrition. . . Sharada Hall on the Ayurveda eye wash. I would personally attempt all the above diligently as soon as possible, they are all great suggestions.

    Wishing you continuous balance!
    Christina

  6. Francesca says:

    Thanks, everyone, for all your support. I really appreciate your encouragement and, as you’ll see from my recent blogs, I’ve FINALLY started using my Neti Pot! The results so far have been wonderful ~ my head and sinus area don’t feel so clogged up and I’m sure it’s helping my eye pressure. I had an appointment with the eye specialist last week and he said my eye pressure has dropped significantly, which is great.

    So thanks again to all of you ~ a great group of people who have been really helpful and supportive!

  7. Lisa says:

    I currently am using a product called Navage. I love it! This is a modern day neti pot. They have these pre-mixed nose rinses including a eucalyptus one that is my favorite! Try it!

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