Author Topic: NASAL SPRAY FOR NOSE BLOCKAGE (Read 2652 times)

reen · « **on:** July 29, 2008, 08:44:22 AM »

I dunno which thread i read but 1 of the diver said he used a nasal spray before he dive when his nose is block...
i found this item at caring pharmacy and saw it mentioned especially for ENT.

is it ok to use nasal spray bfr a dive?

100% Natural - Pure Sea Water

STÉRIMAR is made from pure sea water, which is collected in St. Malo Bay (France), 15 miles from the coast, at a minimum depth of 5 meters. These waters are monitored by an independent regulatory authority to ensure sanitary standards. It is then:

- filtered and sterilised
- diluted to 1/3, which makes it isotonic (appropriate for the human body)
Sea water has the added benefit of containing various naturally occurring trace elements, many of which have been shown to have antiseptic (silver & zinc), anti-inflammatory (copper) or anti-allergic (manganese) properties.

Since it is a natural product, STÉRIMAR is completely safe for use by anyone seeking relief from nasal problems: Safe for babies, children, adults.

STÉRIMAR is also free from medical side effects and has no drug interaction.

Safe for daily use

Safe to use as often as desired

Safe to try as a first resort or as an alternative to medication

Safe for use with other medications or just before using other medicated sprays

Sicko · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2008, 12:53:24 PM »

Er............might as well just use seawater from where ever you are diving? Free some more............

Bluemoon · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2008, 12:58:18 PM »

Quote from: reen on July 29, 2008, 08:44:22 AM

I dunno which thread i read but 1 of the diver said he used a nasal spray before he dive when his nose is block...
i found this item at caring pharmacy and saw it mentioned especially for ENT.

is it ok to use nasal spray bfr a dive?

100% Natural - Pure Sea Water

STÉRIMAR is made from pure sea water, which is collected in St. Malo Bay (France), 15 miles from the coast, at a minimum depth of 5 meters. These waters are monitored by an independent regulatory authority to ensure sanitary standards. It is then:

- filtered and sterilised
- diluted to 1/3, which makes it isotonic (appropriate for the human body)
Sea water has the added benefit of containing various naturally occurring trace elements, many of which have been shown to have antiseptic (silver & zinc), anti-inflammatory (copper) or anti-allergic (manganese) properties.

Since it is a natural product, STÉRIMAR is completely safe for use by anyone seeking relief from nasal problems: Safe for babies, children, adults.

STÉRIMAR is also free from medical side effects and has no drug interaction.

Safe for daily use

Safe to use as often as desired

Safe to try as a first resort or as an alternative to medication

Safe for use with other medications or just before using other medicated sprays

I use it for my 1 year old son during his flu..!!

xr250dude · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2008, 01:22:07 PM »

The product is supposed to be isotonic, that means the electrolytes contained is iso osmotic to serum/blood, ie it won't shrink the lining of your nasal passages. Presumably some kind of saline solution like NaCl 0.9%, the same kind you find in regular saline intravenous drip in hospitals or the ones you use to wash our your contact lenses. Product insert says that its physiological sea water whatever that means.

ENTs use it to soften crust, ie the gold bits from your nose we regularly mine.

Sea water is hypertonic hence if you drink it it draws out more pure water into your gut leaving you with cellular dehydration. Get it into your nose and your nasal lining will cry and maybe shrink? Never drink it for hydration, however drink it in sufficient quantity if you want to induce diarrhoea,

All diving associations do not recommend self treatment for nose ailments before diving. If you have a blocked nose you should not be diving. Why try to save small $$ by not seeing a doctor and end up paying big $$ for barotrauma?

This is my 2 PSI worth of el cheapo free advice.

reen · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2008, 02:57:22 PM »

how about people/divers who has sinus problems??
some of them got running nose like example in the morning..but then after a few minutes it all clears..

tulip · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2008, 03:07:03 PM »

i have sinus problems.. usually it clears out whenever i hit the water... plus i usually have a cup of hot tea first before i go down to clear unnecessary AM blockage.. if that doesn't work or if it's serious.. then i don't go diving. because then i can't equalize and it's gonna be painful..

xr250dude · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2008, 05:16:03 PM »

Nomenclature problem. There is a difference between sinus diseases/problems vs vasomotor rhinitis or just runny nose which i suspect is what most people will have. If you have sinusitis, symptoms of which is not just runny nose in the morning which clears spontaneously, and if you went diving, your sinuses will not thank you and you could end up in having severe pain at the very least, or worse, fulminating infection of the sinuses and middle ear. Remember when you do valsalva's maneuver, you push a lot more than just air into the middle ear but bugs as well. In a well person, no problemo, if you are compromised or if the bug load is high you can push a sufficient load of infective agent into your middle ear far above its bactericidal tolerances.

Again do not equate simple runny nose in the morning with sinusitis etc. This "sinus" label has become too common place. How do you diagnose a sinus condition apart from a clinical examination? You need at least a set of x-rays/ct scan and or naso-endoscopy.

My 1.5 PSI worth of free advice.

tulip · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2008, 05:20:06 PM »

dude u very garang la..

Bluemoon · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2008, 09:44:26 AM »

Quote from: xr250dude on July 29, 2008, 05:16:03 PM

Nomenclature problem. There is a difference between sinus diseases/problems vs vasomotor rhinitis or just runny nose which i suspect is what most people will have. If you have sinusitis, symptoms of which is not just runny nose in the morning which clears spontaneously, and if you went diving, your sinuses will not thank you and you could end up in having severe pain at the very least, or worse, fulminating infection of the sinuses and middle ear. Remember when you do valsalva's maneuver, you push a lot more than just air into the middle ear but bugs as well. In a well person, no problemo, if you are compromised or if the bug load is high you can push a sufficient load of infective agent into your middle ear far above its bactericidal tolerances.

Again do not equate simple runny nose in the morning with sinusitis etc. This "sinus" label has become too common place. How do you diagnose a sinus condition apart from a clinical examination? You need at least a set of x-rays/ct scan and or naso-endoscopy.

My 1.5 PSI worth of free advice.

Totally agree with this...i personally will have this problems when i back in KL ...running nose in the morning but it clear after a while. Compare to those who really having sinus problems....there is nothing. I had a diver friend...whihc have sinus problems...every trip only can dive ther first few days and will rest for the next few days....his nose is more or less red and swollen like unker Mcdonal...!!

Cher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2008, 03:34:18 PM »

Quote from: xr250dude on July 29, 2008, 05:16:03 PM

Nomenclature problem. There is a difference between sinus diseases/problems vs vasomotor rhinitis or just runny nose which i suspect is what most people will have. If you have sinusitis, symptoms of which is not just runny nose in the morning which clears spontaneously, and if you went diving, your sinuses will not thank you and you could end up in having severe pain at the very least, or worse, fulminating infection of the sinuses and middle ear. Remember when you do valsalva's maneuver, you push a lot more than just air into the middle ear but bugs as well. In a well person, no problemo, if you are compromised or if the bug load is high you can push a sufficient load of infective agent into your middle ear far above its bactericidal tolerances.

Again do not equate simple runny nose in the morning with sinusitis etc. This "sinus" label has become too common place. How do you diagnose a sinus condition apart from a clinical examination? You need at least a set of x-rays/ct scan and or naso-endoscopy.

My 1.5 PSI worth of free advice.

I am very intrigued...! xrdude, are you a doctor? ENT doctor? if yes, i have more questions he he he

reen · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2008, 10:25:24 AM »

glad things clear up about this issue...
sumtime i get confuse whether i had a sinus problem or really it was just a mild flu...hahaha..
apa raaaa...

juma_rossa · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2008, 10:49:17 AM »

hmm..
good to know.
If anyone wants a holistic treatment for sinus PM me.
Just went for one time visit and the sinus went *poof*!!

xr250dude · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2008, 01:16:24 PM »

Quote from: Cher on July 30, 2008, 03:34:18 PM

Quote from: xr250dude on July 29, 2008, 05:16:03 PM
Nomenclature problem. There is a difference between sinus diseases/problems vs vasomotor rhinitis or just runny nose which i suspect is what most people will have. If you have sinusitis, symptoms of which is not just runny nose in the morning which clears spontaneously, and if you went diving, your sinuses will not thank you and you could end up in having severe pain at the very least, or worse, fulminating infection of the sinuses and middle ear. Remember when you do valsalva's maneuver, you push a lot more than just air into the middle ear but bugs as well. In a well person, no problemo, if you are compromised or if the bug load is high you can push a sufficient load of infective agent into your middle ear far above its bactericidal tolerances.

Again do not equate simple runny nose in the morning with sinusitis etc. This "sinus" label has become too common place. How do you diagnose a sinus condition apart from a clinical examination? You need at least a set of x-rays/ct scan and or naso-endoscopy.

My 1.5 PSI worth of free advice.

I am very intrigued...! xrdude, are you a doctor? ENT doctor? if yes, i have more questions he he he

Aiyoyo ... take FREE advise for what its worth

Dun be so cheap skates la, seiously, nowadays most private doctors susah cari makan la. Why you think I got so much time to answer these questions?

xr250dude · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2008, 01:22:56 PM »

Quote from: tulip on July 29, 2008, 05:20:06 PM

dude u very garang la..

The truth is frequently "garang".

Next time give your GP a challenging question, "when having the flu (viral) is it OK to blow the nose hard?" as oppose to "when having sinusitis (bacterial) is it OK to blow the nose hard? For jokers out there I don't mean blowing any other part.

tulip · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2008, 01:49:12 PM »

Quote from: xr250dude on July 31, 2008, 01:22:56 PM

Quote from: tulip on July 29, 2008, 05:20:06 PM
dude u very garang la..

The truth is frequently "garang". Next time give your GP a challenging question, "when having the flu (viral) is it OK to blow the nose hard?" as oppose to "when having sinusitis (bacterial) is it OK to blow the nose hard? For jokers out there I don't mean blowing any other part.

hmm.... i'll ask him that when i see him..

anymore challenging questions? would love to see him get confused once a while

xr250dude · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2008, 12:18:42 PM »

Actually got, pertaining to this thread.

All of us have had simple upper respiratory tract infection also know as URTI/flu/cold etc. This is the one you get mc 1-2 days and the gp give you 2-3 days of meds. You always get better after 3 days or so. Your question should be ...

Dr why you give me anibiotic? and onli 3 days ar ar a..choo!

aikiben · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2008, 07:35:20 PM »

Hi my fellow compressed air addicts,

can i offer my 2 sen worth of comments about medication since i am in healthcare industry.

Sterimar doesnt stop the blockage- basically its use to clear out any foreign material in the nose and since it is made of saline (sterile salt water- so pls dont use seawater ..it is not sterile) this can be sold in any pharmacy without prescription.

To achieve stopping of nasal secretion/ blockage, you will need medicated sprays such as oxymetazoline HCl or better known as Afrin spray. The spray or rather liquid squirt (which i like to call it) stops runny nose and clear blockages almost immediately BUT the effect is for about 3 hrs. A word of caution- do not use more than 3 days or it may cause rebound congestion.

So ..what should one do with short term (acute) blockage?

Most of the time it is caused by viral infection which will lead to bacterial. 70% chances are viral and therefore the remedy is rest, water and avoid diving. It sounds like a bummer but it is the best solution. After all, equalising will be difficult, it is beyond cosmetic reason(nasal drooling) that PADI and experts warn against it is the damage that may cause in your middle ear ( i know we have two not three ears- i am referring to the inner workings of the ear.

The problem about nose blockage is, if it is thick discharge, best to take some mucolytic ( antimucus) and AVOID decongestants all together. Let it thin down, and then consider a decongestant when it is watery.

If it is watery, you can choose to take oral decongestant (i.e clarinase - combo of antihistamine and pseudoephedrine or jsut plain pseudoephedrine if there is no sneezing)
If the discharge is green or yellow accompanied by fever, most likely it is an nfection of the sinus glands and antibiotics will be needed.

For those with long standing sinusitis aka RESDUNG ( runny nose all the time) best to seek a specialist help to check the nasal passage for polyps ( growth)

As a conclusion, dont fight the flu or sinusitis by patching a quick fix and continue diving.. know your limitation. Best to let it wear off for safety reasons.

Aikiben
Blowin bubble the RIGHT way

daud11 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2009, 09:41:39 AM »

Quote from: juma_rossa on July 31, 2008, 10:49:17 AM

hmm..
good to know.
If anyone wants a holistic treatment for sinus PM me.
Just went for one time visit and the sinus went *poof*!!

Hello ... I just came across this post. I have a problem ... after my first dive, my nose is blocked. On the second dive, I will get pain somewhere along my forehead ... many times on my jaw too. But I have no problem equalising (i.e. my ears are ok)... it is just that the pain on the forehead is painful. Sometimes the pain goes away as I go deeper but sometimes it gets more painful.
Dont know whether this is sinus problem or what. But I have itchy nose in the morning and when the room is too cold (from a/c).
So, question ... where did you get the treatment? In KL ka?

aikiben · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:45:23 AM »

hey daud11 buddy,

seems like you may have a problem with your sinus gland.. the area is on your forehead and below the eyes
if you usually have runny nose every morning and in air cond room, it suggest that you have a sinusitis ( inflammation of the sinus gland)

the pain is due to the expansion of air trapped in ur gland...
my suggestion.. get your sinusitis treated and once cleared ..go for diving..
until then..

if its really minor, take up some antihistamine + pseduephedrine ( non drowsy); refer to my prev. post

try this..

oxymetazoline spray will help to reduce your nasal secretion but..its only temporary

mask squeeze is also a common problem... so see if you have lines on ur forehead after u dive..

be safe ..dive safe

daud11 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 26, 2009, 09:52:49 PM »

Quote from: aikiben on September 25, 2009, 11:45:23 AM

hey daud11 buddy,

seems like you may have a problem with your sinus gland.. the area is on your forehead and below the eyes
if you usually have runny nose every morning and in air cond room, it suggest that you have a sinusitis ( inflammation of the sinus gland)

the pain is due to the expansion of air trapped in ur gland...
my suggestion.. get your sinusitis treated and once cleared ..go for diving..
until then..

if its really minor, take up some antihistamine + pseduephedrine ( non drowsy); refer to my prev. post

try this..

oxymetazoline spray will help to reduce your nasal secretion but..its only temporary

mask squeeze is also a common problem... so see if you have lines on ur forehead after u dive..

be safe ..dive safe

Aikiben ... thanks for the suggestions.
I have been taking antihistamine (zyrtec) but now it seems like i have to take it more often. arrggh that means my sinus problem is getting worse. My throat is also always itchy. Anyway, I am going to see an ENT specialist next week. Hope to get this problem solved.

aikiben · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:15:39 PM »

Quote from: daud11 on September 26, 2009, 09:52:49 PM

Quote from: aikiben on September 25, 2009, 11:45:23 AM
hey daud11 buddy,

seems like you may have a problem with your sinus gland.. the area is on your forehead and below the eyes
if you usually have runny nose every morning and in air cond room, it suggest that you have a sinusitis ( inflammation of the sinus gland)

the pain is due to the expansion of air trapped in ur gland...
my suggestion.. get your sinusitis treated and once cleared ..go for diving..
until then..

if its really minor, take up some antihistamine + pseduephedrine ( non drowsy); refer to my prev. post

try this..

oxymetazoline spray will help to reduce your nasal secretion but..its only temporary

mask squeeze is also a common problem... so see if you have lines on ur forehead after u dive..

be safe ..dive safe

Aikiben ... thanks for the suggestions.
I have been taking antihistamine (zyrtec) but now it seems like i have to take it more often. arrggh that means my sinus problem is getting worse. My throat is also always itchy. Anyway, I am going to see an ENT specialist next week. Hope to get this problem solved.

Daud..
the zyrtec is just antihistamine alone, it can help reduce the itchiness but not reduce the secretions ...
better get it checked buddy

daud11 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 03:33:07 PM »

Quote from: aikiben on September 29, 2009, 05:15:39 PM

Quote from: daud11 on September 26, 2009, 09:52:49 PM
Quote from: aikiben on September 25, 2009, 11:45:23 AM
hey daud11 buddy,

seems like you may have a problem with your sinus gland.. the area is on your forehead and below the eyes
if you usually have runny nose every morning and in air cond room, it suggest that you have a sinusitis ( inflammation of the sinus gland)

the pain is due to the expansion of air trapped in ur gland...
my suggestion.. get your sinusitis treated and once cleared ..go for diving..
until then..

if its really minor, take up some antihistamine + pseduephedrine ( non drowsy); refer to my prev. post

try this..

oxymetazoline spray will help to reduce your nasal secretion but..its only temporary

mask squeeze is also a common problem... so see if you have lines on ur forehead after u dive..

be safe ..dive safe

Aikiben ... thanks for the suggestions.
I have been taking antihistamine (zyrtec) but now it seems like i have to take it more often. arrggh that means my sinus problem is getting worse. My throat is also always itchy. Anyway, I am going to see an ENT specialist next week. Hope to get this problem solved.

Daud..
the zyrtec is just antihistamine alone, it can help reduce the itchiness but not reduce the secretions ...
better get it checked buddy

Aikiben...
I just came back from the hospital. The Dr used some kind of gadget to check inside my nose. There wasn't any polips or anything like that. He said my nose is kinda sensitive and also the passage to the sinus areas is quite narrow on both sides. He suggested i take clarinase and afrin spray before i dive. No need for surgery to widen the passage to the sinuses since I dont dive everyday.
I shall try these stuff and hopefully I will have painless dives next time.

aikiben · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:04:05 PM »

Quote from: daud11 on October 01, 2009, 03:33:07 PM

Quote from: aikiben on September 29, 2009, 05:15:39 PM
Quote from: daud11 on September 26, 2009, 09:52:49 PM
Quote from: aikiben on September 25, 2009, 11:45:23 AM
hey daud11 buddy,

seems like you may have a problem with your sinus gland.. the area is on your forehead and below the eyes
if you usually have runny nose every morning and in air cond room, it suggest that you have a sinusitis ( inflammation of the sinus gland)

the pain is due to the expansion of air trapped in ur gland...
my suggestion.. get your sinusitis treated and once cleared ..go for diving..
until then..

if its really minor, take up some antihistamine + pseduephedrine ( non drowsy); refer to my prev. post

try this..

oxymetazoline spray will help to reduce your nasal secretion but..its only temporary

mask squeeze is also a common problem... so see if you have lines on ur forehead after u dive..

be safe ..dive safe

Aikiben ... thanks for the suggestions.
I have been taking antihistamine (zyrtec) but now it seems like i have to take it more often. arrggh that means my sinus problem is getting worse. My throat is also always itchy. Anyway, I am going to see an ENT specialist next week. Hope to get this problem solved.

Daud..
the zyrtec is just antihistamine alone, it can help reduce the itchiness but not reduce the secretions ...
better get it checked buddy

Aikiben...
I just came back from the hospital. The Dr used some kind of gadget to check inside my nose. There wasn't any polips or anything like that. He said my nose is kinda sensitive and also the passage to the sinus areas is quite narrow on both sides. He suggested i take clarinase and afrin spray before i dive. No need for surgery to widen the passage to the sinuses since I dont dive everyday.
I shall try these stuff and hopefully I will have painless dives next time.

Daud dude ,

Does anyone call you by that..sounds good..

I am glad everythg checked out ok.. polyps are growth and usually thats wat we check ..most of the time sinus/"resdung" is caused by this
looks like ur dr and me have the same solution eh..haha

some other things u can consider is:-

go slow.. during descend
make sure mask is not too tight

and try this if it works ( accupressure point)
press and rub gently behind your ears right behind the earlobes... to help equalisation

good luck brother...