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The nasal steroid sprays are very helpful with allergies, but must be used routinely – daily – to be of any benefit. I use Nasacort AQ (prescription) in addition to the NeilMed system. There are many options out there.
Sinus rinsing cleans out the offending allergens and mucus and calms down inflammation, which helps people feel better. Symptoms will eventually come back when you breathe in more allergens, this is true. Which is why you do the rinsing routinely, and try to avoid offending allergens when possible.
To avoid gagging with the NeilMed system, you must keep your head facing down into the sink to keep the fluid from going down the back of your throat. If done correctly, the fluid goes in one nostril and comes out the same way, or out the other nostril. Some fluid may go down the back of your throat, but not enough to cause gagging. If you are really congested, and the fluid cannot flow freely into your nose, it does not work very well. Never force the fluid into your nose.
I am a big believer in sinus rinsing, as is everyone in my family (and beyond!) now. Besides being useful with allergies, we have found that it helps prevent colds, and if we do get a cold, the duration is shorter and we’re less prone to getting sinus infections, too.