Question:
I have a problem with a buildup of mucous every morning in my nose and my throat. It is at times hard to talk and breathe out of my nose properly. My Dr suggested a nasal rinse which is to be used twice a day. The treatment is a squeeze bottle with warm water and saline powder mixed in. You squeeeze the bottle while in one nostril, and the water irragates out of the other, thus clearing up the muchus. Would this constitute refuah on Shabbos?
Answer:
Hello,
Being that normal, well people are not irrigating thier noses this way, do so would be considered refuah. Since it is considered an act of refuah, doing it on shabbos would depend on how bad the condition is. If your stuffed nose is gpoing to cause you to stop your regular schedule and make you get in to bed, (which is not so likely) then it may not be done on Shabbos. However if it is incapacitating you, then it would be permitted.
Best wishes
Sources:
אורח חיים סימן שכח – דין חולה בשבת סע’ א’ וז”ל ” מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ מֵחוּשׁ בְּעָלְמָא וְהוּא מִתְחַזֵּק וְהוֹלֵךְ כְּבָרִיא, אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת לוֹ שׁוּם רְפוּאָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ עַל יְדֵי עַכּוּ”ם, גְּזֵרָה מִשּׁוּם שְׁחִיקַת סַמָּנִים”.
