Each nasal cavity is irrigated. Sometimes the water runs through the pharynx and out the mouth and sometimes it will run out the contralateral nostril. Each nasal chamber is irrigated until clean. Some patients irrigate with 250 cc on one side and then 250 cc on the other. Others alternate back and forth using 50-100 cc at a time on each side.
Most people benefit from twice daily irrigations.
Many irrigate once a day and a few will irrigate three, four or even more times a day. Our recommendation is to begin with twice daily irrigations and then adjust and modify to comfort and benefit. For additional information you are referred to the Handbook of Nasal Disease. It is a very common illness. Symptoms of obstruction and rhinorrhea are caused by allergic rhinitis, but are also caused by bacterial sinusitis and are not normally helpful in the differential.