Neti Pot Deaths in Louisiana
Two Neti Pot deaths in Louisiana:
Louisiana health regulators warned residence about the dangers of using the Neti Pot irrigation. They reported two deaths caused by the amoeba called Naegleria fowlari. This amoeba can be found in contaminated water, but rarely enters the body except in cases of the pressure pushing it into the body through the nose. In some cases it can occur in diving into the lake; the high pressure of the water in diving, like the high pressure in some forms of irrigation, can drive the infection into the body.

When Water is Contaminated:
Of course any contaminated water should be avoided for nasal/sinus irrigation. But, an additional factor here. is that the pressure from the Neti Pot irrigation can’t be regulated. It can be too high, depending on angle and height. If the pressure is too high, as probably happened here in the two deaths reported in Louisiana, this can force contaminated water into the brain via the olfactory openings or via the pressure forcing the fluid into the ear. Another problem is that the Neti Pot and squeeze bottles have flowback. After use, the devices may have bacteria from the sinuses that flows back into the device and reproduces and increases significantly in numbers. With flowback, mucus and bacteria are brought back into the device and make an ideal growth medium. When you irrigate again, you reinsert those bacteria.

If there is any question about water purity or possible contamination, it should first be boiled to a temperature of 116.6 degrees, or use bottled or distilled water.

Neti Pot flow into the Ear:
Another problem with Neti Pot is that it is used with the head tilted to the side. In this position, fluid pools at the Eustachian tube opening to the ear. If you swallow, this opens the tube and allows contaminated fluid from your sinus infection to enter the ear.
The reason you help the ear when you irrigate with the Hydro Pulse® is that you keep your head midline; you don’t tilt to the side and therefore avoid getting infected fluid into the ear.

Neti Pot Pressure Variable:
As illustrated by these Neti Pot deaths, the pressure of nasal/sinus irrigation is critical; it must be gentle and at a low pressure. I regularly get messages from Hydro Pulse® users as to what is the best pressure to use for nasal/sinus irrigation. The answer is that the stream should be almost one inch high as it exits the nasal tip. The Hydro Pulse® is designed to maintain this pressure once set. This is the pressure that will not force infected material into the non–infected areas, or into the brain or ear.

It is very important to recall that when you perform sinus irrigation, there is bacteria in the nose and sinuses. As you irrigate, the bacteria from the sinus infection enters the irrigating fluid; it is the low pressure that prevents these bacteria from entering healthy areas or entering the brain. The Hydro Pulse® is not a forceful irrigation that uses high pressure to heal the sinuses; it is the pulse wave action at a speed that is harmonious to the nasal/sinus cilia movement that gets the cilia moving at the right speed and direction so that they can drain the sinuses in a natural way.

Caution On Pressure:
After reading about these tragic deaths in Louisiana, patients must be cautioned. Many of the devices on the market do not have a means of regulating the pressure. One that I tested actually hit my ceiling! Imagine that high pressure forcing infected material into the head. Compare the difference in pressure between a stream almost one inch high and one five feet high!

From
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/flu/neti-pot-deaths-linked-brain-eating-amoeba-tap-water 12/16/2011