Page 41 - NAMAH-Jul-2017
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Namah Experiences and reflections
hypertonic solution, i.e. a solution having is one having greater osmotic pressure than
greater osmotic pressure than that of cells or that of cells or body fluids. When we snort
body fluids which draw water out of the cells, it, it conducts electricity across the mucus
thus inducing plasmolysis. A glass of warm membrane, and the hypotonic solution of
water mixed with a little sodium chloride cells accumulated as a result of acute or
(common salt crystals) will meet the purpose. chronic inflammation gets diffused as a result
The solution should be warmer than body of osmosis. The nasal passages of the nose,
temperature, i.e., 37º Celsius. Better results mouth and pharynx get cleared of excess
can be achieved if patients use the solution mucus. The defunct cilia become active and
at a temperature of 40-41º Celsius. ciliate mucus from the lungs.
The role of hypertonic solution and sodium The concept is based on ‘Living cells are
chloride osmotic systems and will shrink in hyper-
tonic solutions (higher salt concentration than
Hypertonic solution means a solution having in cell organelles) and swell and can burst in
greater osmotic pressure than that of cells hypo-tonic solutions (pure water or low salt
or body fluids. The cells and fluids contain concentration).’
generally 0.9 percent sodium chloride. The
solution is considered to be a hypotonic This concept is useful, because the nasal
solution. Therefore we have to use more than mucosa is lined with permeable membrane
that, i.e. 1 to 2 percent sodium chloride to bound in it by the cell organelles. During
make it a hypertonic solution. the inflammatory process, the cells get filled
with water, secretions, enzymes, etc. Osmotic
Sodium chloride: sodium is a metal and chlorine pressure varies with the concentration of the
is a gas. When they are combined they become solution and with temperature increase.
sodium chloride (common salt crystals). Sodium
is made of tiny particles called sodium atoms. Practice
Each atom consists of a nucleus and a cloud of
particles called electrons that whizz around the 1. Take a glass of hyper-tonic solution, keep
nucleus. Any atom becomes an ion if it loses or it at the entrance of the nasal passages, bend
gains electrons. An ion is a charged particle. It is the body forward to about 70 to 80 degrees,
charged because it contains an unequal number slowly snort in the solvent until it goes in
of protons and electrons. Ionic compounds can through the nostrils, up through the nasal
conduct electricity when they are melted or passages, down into the throat (pharynx)
dissolved. A solid ionic compound will not from where it takes a ‘U’ turn, enters the oral
conduct electricity. But when it melts, the cavity. When it collects in the mouth, spit it
lattice breaks up and the ions are free to move. out and blow your nose forcefully until the
Since they are charged, this means they can excess mucus collected in the nasal lining
conduct electricity. gets drained out.
When we mix sodium chloride with warm 2. Take the solvent, bend the body forward
water, it becomes a hypertonic solution, that as stated and keep it at the entrance of the
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