Waterpik SinuSense Water Pulsator for Nasal Irrigation

The Waterpik SinuSense Water Pulsator is a nasal irrigation system. It flushes mucus and allergens out of the sinuses using a saline solution and a battery-operated pump. This product has been discontinued and Waterpik does not have any similar products. Early models of the product leaked fluid into the battery compartment. For a similar nasal irrigator, see a review of the NeilMed Sinugator.

What Is Nasal Irrigation?

Nasal irrigation has been recommended as a drug-free way to help nasal congestion from allergies and sinus infections, which can occur more commonly in older people because of the changing physiology of their noses.

In fact, guidelines for physicians issued in 2012 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) suggest that nasal irrigation is a more effective treatment than antibiotics. More than 90 percent of these infections are caused by viruses, rather than bacteria, and antibiotics do not work against viruses.

How Does WaterPik's SinuSense Work?

The water pulsator is a battery-operated pump that screws onto a water reservoir. When you squeeze the trigger, a saline solution is pumped up from the reservoir through a nozzle, into one nostril. The solution rinses your nasal passages and runs out the other nostril.

Directions for Use:

• Fill the reservoir with 8 ounces (240 ml) of distilled, filtered, or previously boiled water.

• Add a pre-mixed saline packet or use this recipe to mix your own saline solution.
• Microwave the reservoir at 5-second intervals to desired temperature (it should be lukewarm).
• Screw the battery-operated pulsator onto reservoir (three AA batteries are required).
• Choose the desired nozzle according to the size of your nostril.

• Lean forward over the sink.
• Squeeze the trigger while holding the nozzle in one nostril, allowing the saline solution to run out the other nostril.
• Once half of the solution is used, switch sides.
• Gently blow your nose into a tissue.
• Clean the device by washing it with soap and water.

When to Use the SinuSense

According to the manufacturer, it can be used to relieve:

• Sinus pressure
• Nasal stuffiness
• Nasal symptoms from flu and cold
• It can help remove allergens like pollen and dander as well as debris like dust and smoke particles.

Do Not Use the Irrigator When

According to the package instructions, the device should not be used if:

• Your nasal passages are completely blocked.
• You have an ear infection or feel pressure in one ear.
• Do not use tap water, as microbes may be present.
• Do not use on children under the age of 6.

Review

Nasal irrigation can also be performed using the traditional Neti pot, but some people find that the passive rinse the Neti pot provides does not seem effective enough. In order to flush out the nasal passages and get rid of persistent congestion, some gentle water pressure may be required. One inexpensive option is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse squeeze bottle.

While Water Pik's SinuSense pulsator and similar devices are a little pricier, they do a great job of gently flushing out nasal congestion while giving you control over the pressure and speed with the battery-operated pump and trigger.

Manufacturer's Replacement Program

Some models manufactured between May 2010, and July 2011 leaked water into the device's battery compartment. After this, Water Pik launched a free exchange program to replace the device at no cost to consumers. The easiest way to tell which model you have is to check the reservoir: if it has a fill door, you have the newest model. If it doesn't, ​contact the manufacturer for details. 

Source:

Chow WA, et al. IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis in Children and Adults. Clin Infect Dis. (2012) doi: 10.1093/cid/cir1043.