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#16
June 20th, 2006
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I've been told by an ENT, after my second operation, very simply, don't go more than three feet under the water with chronic sinusitus because it could cause such a serious injury somewhere in the inner ear that I might not be able to walk for the rest of my life.
I suppose I should have cast about for a second opinion. Swimming underwater is one of my greatest pleasures. Some practitioners of yoga use a "neti pot," a small crockery affair with which saltwater is poured into one nostril to drain out the other. I bought a variation of this device called a "Rhino Horn," made in Norway, for about $20 including shipping. A salt measuring spoon is included, and the instructions explain how to rid the sinuses of water after these ablutions are performed. I have found it very effective. I even warded off a sinus headache with it. The instructions also make it very clear that using water without the salt will cause pain. No thanks. I can see that using the saltwater in which one is swimming could be a very effective method of clearing the sinuses. However, it would definitely be a good idea to get rid of all the water immediately after doing this. Some years ago, experimenting with another device, I didn't know how to get rid of the water, and believe me, the consequences are unpleasant: stuffed nasal and ear passages, ringing in the ears, a vertiginous feeling. If any ENTs would like to weigh in on this topic, I'd be most grateful. 
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