Mother, Baby & Kids

AskMeDoctor! Season 6 Episode 13 | Breath Freely: Say Goodbye to Stuffy Nose with This Simple Home Remedy

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We’ve all heard of the term sinus; but do you know what it actually means?

Aside from the symptoms, such as blocked and runny nose, sinus problem is a recurring problem that may stem from underlying conditions.

And just like adults, kids too can get sinus problems.

This can negatively impact their ability to learn, play and explore the world.

If you have a child who has sinus problems often, there are a few things you can do to help them.

We had a chat with paediatrics specialist, Dr Ryan Ng to talk about Breath Freely: Say Goodbye to Stuffy Nose with This Simple Home Remedy.

Q1: Is sinus a common problem among Malaysian kids?

It is a very common and popular complaint, both among adults and children.

But the children tend to suffer even more because they do not know how to blow their nose and clear the mucus effectively.

This can lead to sleepless nights for both the mums and the children. And trust me, you don’t like that.

No. I’ve actually experienced it. And it’s not really pleasant to have your kids suffering with blocked noses.

Q2: What are the most common factors that cause sinus?

To answer that question, let me briefly explain what sinuses and what sinusitis are.

Sinusitis is a condition where the membrane that lines the sinuses becomes infected or inflamed.

This causes the sinuses to become swollen and congested in an attempt to flush out these inhaled particles that triggers a reaction.

Sinusitis can sometimes last for days but is easily manageable with adequate treatment.

However, sinusitis can also be recurring, sometimes lasting for months at a time.

Another thing to note is that sinusitis is also frequently caused by allergies and infections and even exposure to chemical irritants.

Q3: What are some examples of things that may cause allergies?

Since we live in a tropical country, we’re exposed to various types of allergens, such as pollen, mould, and even dust mites on a daily basis.

And if you keep a pet, animal dander, which is another name for animal hair, can trigger allergies.

Because we have so many allergens in the air, it is essential to maintain a good nasal hygiene.

This involves maintaining a proper ventilation system at home that gives good air quality to your whole family.

Therefore, I would recommend having an air purifier, or maybe opening up your windows at home, so that there’s better air circulation in your home.

Q4: Do you have any other suggestions on a safe and effective alternative to ease nasal symptoms?

Yes, there is. A nasal rinse, for example, also known as a nasal irrigation.

It is actually a helpful drug-free and preservative-free alternative, for adults and children, including pregnant and even breastfeeding mothers.

A nasal rinse kit consists of an irrigation bottle and also pre-mixed powder sachets.

The pre-mixed powders often contain normal saline, or salt, as the active ingredient.

What it does is it clears the sinuses of excessive secretion and it helps loosen all of the thick secretions inside the nasal cavity.

So, in doing so, it helps to remove all these particles or even germs that have entered our nose.

It makes it easier for us to blow things out, more comfortable.

So, nasal rinse is a brilliant idea as it provides immediate relief and helps us get rid of these troubling irritants that occasionally gets stuck in our nose.

Q5: Which group of people will benefit the most from using a nasal rinse?

I would highly recommend nasal rinses to those who suffer from upper respiratory tract infections often.

And those who are looking for alternative relief other than medications.

Q6: How does one go about using a nasal rinse?

It is very important that you do this right.

So, let me first walk you through the general steps.

To prepare the nasal rinse solution, you need to mix warm, clean and filtered water with the pre-mixed sachet.

Then shake the bottle gently and make sure everything dissolves.

Next, lean and bend forward a little bit. So, you face slightly down and keep your mouth open.

Continue breathing through the mouth. Then, put the bottle near to one of your nostrils.

And press gently while you continue to breathe through the mouth.

The water will flush all the unwanted particles out through the other nostril.

Afterwords, clean yourself up and continue on the other side with the remainder in the bottle. Because you don’t want it to flow down all over your entire body.

Clear Those Sinuses with Fresnoz Saline Nasal Rinse Kit

A saline nasal wash for rinsing the nose and sinuses. It helps to clears and purifies the nose and sinuses from excessive secretion and mucus and prevent the formation of infection.

You can get Fresnoz Saline Nasal Rinse Kit on Motherhood.com.my or at any participating pharmacies, health and wellness stores.


Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.


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