Expert Interview with Dr. Howard Levine | The Benefits Of Naväge

• Q: Most people are used to neti pots that use gravity or squeeze bottles that use pressure. How is the gentle suction of Naväge different, and why is that 'pulling' motion often better for clearing out the nose? 

• A: Many people are familiar with irrigating the nose with gravity or squeeze bottles. Positive pressure from using these can push allergens, dust, germs in and around the area of the sinuses. Possibly even into the sinus. Naväge uses gentle suction to pull out these offending agents from the nose. In an ear nose and throat physician’s office we always use suction when we are cleaning out any material from the nose or sinuses. 

• Q: We often hear that Naväge 'washes out' allergens. Can you explain why physically removing things like pollen or dust is better than just taking an allergy pill that masks the symptoms? 

• A: Washing out offending allergens makes sense logically. Allergens are the irritant that will cause congestion and nasal obstruction. Washing out the nose with Naväge will either remove all of those allergens or at least dilute them to the extent that they will not have the impact on the nose. We often say the “solution to pollution is dilution.” The less concentration of the offending agent the greater success there will be in reducing symptoms. Sometimes this even makes medications more effective. I encourage my patients who have nasal allergies to irrigate their nose with Naväge.  I tell my patients with seasonal allergies when they come back in the house after being exposed to grass or ragweed to use Naväge. For those who must work outside or enjoy being outside, this is always helpful. 
  
  

• Q: Clinical studies suggest that saline irrigation can shorten the duration of a cold by up to two days. In your practice, how does the consistency of a powered system like Naväge impact a patient's speed of recovery? 

• A: This is similar to the answer for allergens. Most upper respiratory infection infections begin as a viral illness. After several days that viral illness can change to a bacterial infection as bacteria secondarily infect the area. Most of viral infections are managed symptomatically early on. This is with medications to thin the mucus and irrigating the nose to reduce the concentration and volume of the offending viral particles. As I said above the “solution to pollution is dilution.” I urge all of my patients with nasal and sinus problems to begin saline irrigation at the first sign of an infection. This again is to decrease the amount of infectious material within the nose. I also advise my patients when they are exposed to an infection to irrigate the nose. At the end of my workday after seeing patients and being in the hospital, I always irrigate my nose to try to stay well. 

• Q: Many people struggle with snoring or find their CPAP machines uncomfortable because their nose is stuffed up. How does using Naväge before bed help someone breathe easier through the night? 

• A: Most snoring occurs because of mouth breathing when the tissues in the back of the throat vibrate creating the sound. Snoring can occur alone or be associated with obstructive sleep apnea. The mouth breathing that occurs is often because the nose is obstructed. When a person lies down gravity causes fluid to accumulate within the nasal cavity and the turbinates of the nose. The turbinates then become congested. That congestion will enhance the mouth breathing and snoring. Anything that can be done to relieve the nasal congestion and improve nasal can lesson snoring and improve the ability of CPAP use. CPAP will typically have a specific pressure tailored to the individual with sleep apnea. Many individuals will need very high pressures because of nasal obstruction. If the obstruction is less, the CPAP pressures can be reduced improving compliance and making CPAP more effective. I tell my patients to use Naväge and irrigate their nose at night before sleeping. 

• Q: Can you explain the importance of a 'perfectly balanced' isotonic solution for maintaining the health of nose's natural filters? 

• A: Isotonic saline is a perfectly balanced saltwater solution for a nasal rinse because it is like the fluid already in the body. Naväge uses liquid salt pods that when mixed with water in the recommended proportions produces this balanced solution. When using a Naväge SaltPod with the recommended amount of water, this balanced solution minimizes any chance of burning or irritation in the nose. The Naväge system is preferred to using a powder that may not mix completely, and therefore not create a balanced solution. 

• Q. Can you tell me why nasal irrigation should be part of your 'daily hygiene' routine, like brushing teeth, and why is a pre-mixed pod system the most sustainable choice? 

• A: After I get my patients better from their nasal and sinus problems, such as a upper respiratory infection or sinusitis I am often asked, “what can I do to stay healthy?” For many patients, especially those who have heating and ventilating systems on or work in closed office buildings, dust germs and allergens can circulate in the environment. While for many this may not cause an issue, it can be a great help to wash the nose, reducing the amount of irritation in the nose to minimize the risks of getting an infection. This especially is true during the winter months when our heating systems are on in the air is dryer. The pre-mix salt pod system works best by creating a perfect isotonic solution of saline, a fluid similar to what is in the body. Some of my patients will mention that they irrigate the nose and look at the lower tank and see there’s very little in it other than the clear fluid. Sometimes they ask, “does this mean that the Naväge is not helping?” I respond and say, “it means that your nose is healthy and you do not have any infected material in it.” Very much like brushing the teeth, just because the teeth look clean we still urge people to brush frequently during the day. 

• Q: In your practice, do you find that 'friction points' like measuring salt or cleaning up a mess prevent patients from sticking to their irrigation routine? How does the Naväge system change that? 

• A: Over all my years of recommending nasal saline irrigation, patients understand the value and importance. However, for those who never used Naväge or before Naväge, there was always an issue of compliance. When I would ask patients if they’re irrigating the nose often, I would hear that it’s too messy and too inconvenient. Every patient who uses Navage speaks about how easy it is to use. There’s no mess. Their clothes don’t get wet. Compliance is so much higher with Naväge than any other way of irrigating the nose. Because of this my patients say they feel healthier and get over any infection or allergy event much quicker. In addition, patients will talk about how easy it is to clean their Navage. They are very few parts that make it difficult.  

• Q: For people who want to avoid medications why is Naväge the better choice for congestion relief?  

• A:  So many of my patients who know that I am interested in minimally, invasive treatment ask what to do to stay healthy yet avoid medications. Most do not want a prescription medication. Many are aware of the side effects of even over-the-counter medications. These side effects can include elevation of blood, pressure, restlessness and loss of sleep or drowsiness, depending upon the medication used. Some nasal spray can cause dependence.  Other nasal sprays could cause bleeding. Most everyone wishes to try and have some type of drug free relief, and I recommend Naväge. 

• Q: For patients who are already taking multi-symptom cold medications, why is Naväge a safer adjunctive therapy than adding more over-the-counter decongestant sprays? 

• A: (see response above) for some of my patients’ allergies are so significant that allergy medications are required. In these individuals, Navage can help make the medication more effective. For those where the nose is very congested or there’s a lot of mucus in the nose getting rid of that mucus and reducing the congestion will make Naväge more effective.  

Updated as of February 2026