Nasal irrigation

tl;dr cut to the chase: I have had issues with snoring since Easter, when the pollen count exploded and I got congested. I feel much better now but the snoring is still an issue, and I’m wondering if nasal irrigation might help, and thus I turn to the Dope for your expert and devilishly attractive opinions.

tl;dr full version: Oh, this is rich! My husband is a champion snorer and has been making falling asleep a nightly challenge for me for lo these 18 years. This has been a sensational spring complete with dramatic amounts of pollen and, unusually for me, I was affected by it this year. I got congested and felt pretty awful around Easter, when I apparently starting snoring at night. Now, when my husband was the snorer, and I was the one needing to deal with it, he didn’t consider it an actual problem needing, you know, any sort of solution. But, and please let me underline this factor, after EIGHTEEN YEARS of putting me through regular disruption and ignoring my hints then open statements then snarled threats about his needing to have this checked out by his doctor and thinking about a sleep clinic or SOMETHING, now that he is the one whose sleep is being disturbed, suddenly this counts as an Issue.

Grrr.

After a few nights in a row of being poked awake so I would change my sleeping position, I grabbed my pillow and moved up to the guest bedroom so that we could both sleep through the night in peace. I would like to eventually sleep beside my beloved again, however, and while things are better, my nose is still on the stuffy side. I’m wondering if there could be benefits from nasal irrigation. I’ve heard people extolling it for its help in reducing sinus problems, but could it help reduce snoring?

I’m not saying that my marriage rests on getting this resolved. I’m saying that my husband’s life depends on it. Give me your experience and you could just be saving a good man’s life, and how often does that chance come along?

I have mild spring allergies, but this wet spring has been particularly bothersome. I don’t snore, but will get sneezing fits, itchy eyes and sinus headaches.

I swear by a neti pot- I got a cheap plastic one at Walgreens for about ten bucks that comes with 100 saline pouches you add to tepid water. Currently I’m using a bottle of some herbal nasal douche that contains peppermint and other nice-smelling, freshy ingredients. Every spring for years I douche out my nose in the shower most mornings. It definitely keeps my sinuses cleaned out, which I suppose will contribute to less snoring?

Although if the snoring is due to overweight, or sleep apnea, or some progressive congenital defect I doubt keeping clear sinuses will make a difference. But it feels really good, and it’s cheap - I say give it a try (both you and your husband!)

I swear by the Neti Pot too, if nothing else but to keep my ears clean and healthy (I have a history of very bad ear infections). I still suffer from allergies and the occasional sinus flare-up but never ear problems. And I feel that if I wasn’t using the Neti Pot, everything would be much worse.

But…I still snore if I fall asleep on my back. Cuz I’m fat.

I agree to try the Neti Pot cuz it’s not going to hurt.

Where do you get this? I’m also a Neti pot user and it would be so nice to have something different than just the plain old saline solution sometimes.

I think I got it at Rite Aid…checking the label now. Brand name Alkalol, and the website is here.

Hint: If you get it, dilute to a weaker strength than they recommend! It’s strong. I imagine this bottle will last me several years, as I just use a few drops to about a cup of water.

Ah, thanks so much!