What is the difference between a hypertonic solution and an isotonic solution?
A hypertonic solution has a higher salt concentration than the body fluids (higher than 0.9% saline). Studies have shown that rinsing with a hypertonic solution has several benefits such as: effectively thinning thick secretions, improving the filtering of the nose, removing the majority of allergens and shrinking swollen membranes. An isotonic solution has the same concentration of salt as the body fluids (0.9% saline). This type of solution is typically milder than a hypertonic solution, and therefore does not provide as many benefits.
