Every year, billions of people worldwide contract colds or other seasonal respiratory infections. It’s estimated that an average adult gets 2 to 4 colds a year, while children can experience 6–8 colds annually, especially school-age children. Most of these infections are caused by viruses capable of rapidly mutating and continuously generating variants.
For some illnesses, such as the flu, there are annually updated vaccines; however, for the common cold, there is still no universally effective specific prevention. In most cases, symptomatic remedies (decongestants, mucolytics, sprays, antipyretics) are used and the patient waits for spontaneous recovery.
Yet, according to a growing number of scientific studies, part of the solution may lie precisely… in the nose.
The nose is more than just a respiratory organ: it’s a true natural defense system. It filters air, traps particles and microorganisms, and helps protect the lower respiratory tract. However, when the nasal mucosa is congested or inflamed, this “filter” loses efficiency, promoting irritation, recurrent infections, breathing difficulties, complications, and illnesses.
It’s a simple concept: we brush our teeth several times a day, we take care of our skin and hair… but very few people take care of their nose with the same consistency, despite it being one of the main points of contact between the body and the external environment.
Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, in recent years numerous research groups have brought attention to an ancient practice: nasal irrigation, used for at least 5,000 years and likely originating in India as a form of personal hygiene.
During the health emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) also began to more closely evaluate the potential benefits of nasal washes as a support in the treatment of respiratory symptoms (while reiterating that vaccination remains the primary prevention strategy against the most serious infections).
What does a nasal wash actually do? A nasal wash involves passing a solution (saline solution, thermal water, or specific or medicinal preparations) through the nasal cavities to: eliminate mucus and secretions, reduce allergens and irritants, promote mucosal hydration, and improve mucociliary clearance (the nose’s natural “self-cleaning system”). Some studies have observed a reduction in congestive symptoms and respiratory discomfort of up to 20–30% with regular washes.
In ENT, this practice is often recommended as a support for:
- frequent colds
- allergic rhinitis
- sinusitis
- dry mucous membranes
- prevention of complications in vulnerable individuals
Nasal irrigation can be performed in various ways:
- with low-pressure devices (nasal irrigation)
- with nebulizer sprays
with ampoules or systems similar to aerosol/inhalation
At AbanoRitz, respiratory and upper airway care is a cornerstone of overall wellness. For this reason, in addition to the traditional thermal mud therapy (including ENT thermal mud wraps for chronic sinusitis and jaw arthritis) and the quality of the hospitality, the facility offers a dedicated department staffed by an ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) specialist for aerosols, inhalations, lavages, insufflations, specialist evaluations, and audiometric impedance testing for vertigo.
In a world where viruses, allergens, and irritants are increasingly present, taking care of your nose means taking care of your body. The nose is our filter to the outside world: learning to keep it clean and hydrated is an act of health, not just hygiene.
At AbanoRitz, this attention becomes a culture of well-being, with the competent and targeted support of the ENT department, accredited and approved by the Italian Ministry of Health.
