New Delhi, July 10: Having nasal problems at high altitudes? Try some drops of saline.
The saline has come to the rescue of many soldiers deployed in higher altitudes who complained of blocked nose and bleeding.
“We found that the use of normal saline drops is a simple and effective method to clear the nasal path,” Lt Col R Datta, ENT specialist with the Armed Forces Medical Services said.
Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, Lt Gen Y S Parmar said, “Majority of soldiers posted at high altitude had complains of blocked nose, breathlessness and recurrent bleeding. Apart from adversely effecting health, it has negative impact on the work of these soldiers.”
Though reasons for these symptoms are not clear, yet Datta said, “It can be attributed to peculiar weather conditions at higher altitudes. Breathing dry air at sea level at low temperature creates nasal blockage. This ultimately leads to nasal crust and nasal obstruction.”
Explaining how it works he said, “The saline dampens the crust formation inside the nose.”
A study was conducted to find the efficacy of the saline drops. It was carried out among 100 soldiers posted in Ladakh.
“After three months we found that that normal saline nasal drops were successful in improving their condition,” he said.
–PTI