From the Guidelines
Sodium bicarbonate has no established benefit in treating sinusitis, and its use is not recommended based on current evidence. The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 1 recommends nasal irrigation with isotonic saline or Ringer’s lactate, but does not mention sodium bicarbonate as a treatment option. The benefits of nasal irrigation in treating sinusitis include thinning and removing mucous, clearing proteins that cause inflammation, and flushing out irritants and bacteria from the nose and sinus cavities. However, there is insufficient data to support the use of sodium bicarbonate in this context.
Key points to consider when treating sinusitis include:
- Nasal irrigation with isotonic saline or Ringer’s lactate is recommended
- Large-volume irrigation may not be more effective than a nasal spray
- The temperature of the solution does not influence the outcome
- Nasal saline irrigation is considered an important aspect of treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and can improve nasal mucosa function
It is essential to note that the use of sodium bicarbonate in nasal irrigation solutions is not supported by the current evidence, and its potential benefits are not established. Therefore, it is not recommended to use sodium bicarbonate in treating sinusitis, and instead, patients should follow the recommended treatment guidelines using isotonic saline or Ringer’s lactate for nasal irrigation 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Sodium Bicarbonate for Sinusitis
There are no direct research papers provided that discuss the benefits of sodium bicarbonate in treating sinusitis. However, the provided studies discuss the benefits of nasal irrigation and saline solutions in treating sinusitis.
Nasal Irrigation and Saline Solutions
- Nasal irrigation with normal saline has been shown to improve symptoms of acute sinusitis in children, including rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, throat itching, and sleep quality 2.
- Nasal saline irrigation is a beneficial low-risk treatment that serves an adjunctive function in the medical and surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis 3.
- Hypertonic saline nasal wash has been shown to be an efficient treatment for pediatric chronic sinusitis, improving symptoms such as cough, nasal secretions, and postnasal drip 4.
- Topical saline has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis, either as the sole modality of treatment or as a treatment adjunct 5.
Limitations
- There is limited evidence regarding the most optimal methods of nasal saline irrigation delivery, including delivery volume, pressure, frequency, and composition 3.
- The use of nasal saline irrigation has been associated with potential risks, such as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, and therefore requires proper hygiene and precautions 3.