You have a stuffy nose. Have you ever wondered why it seems that one nostril is still breathing a little better than the other? Interestingly, there is a scientific basis for such a phenomenon.
In the described condition, as confirmed by Rachel Roditi, MD, a natural physiological reaction called the nasal cycle is to blame. During it, our nostrils take turns drawing in more air.
Let's find out in more detail why the nostrils behave this way and what can be done when one or both of them refuse to let air through at once.
Why one nostril breathes better than the other
Our nose contains special structures called turbinates. They are responsible for warming and moisturizing the air passing through the respiratory tract before it reaches the lungs. This prevents irritation of the delicate tissues of the latter.
And in order for the described process to be the most effective and at the same time not unnecessarily spending the body's resources, the nostrils are forced to work in turn. Greater blood flow to one of them heats the incoming air, which, in turn, causes the mucous membrane lining this nostril to swell somewhat from the inside. But this swelling just reduces the amount of air that can pass through it.
"If a person does not have a runny nose, an allergic reaction, infection or pathology of the structure of the nasal septum, then he will not notice these nuances. But when we are sick, the blood flow to the nose increases, which causes increased swelling, and therefore increases the production of mucus, "says Dr. Roditi. And although there is painful swelling throughout the nose, we feel it more degree precisely in the nostril in which there is currently a rush of blood associated with the natural breathing cycle.
How to deal with a stuffy nose
"We really can't do anything with the nasal cycle," says Dr. Roditi. When you are sick, one nostril will always be more blocked than the other. True, after a while (from 90 minutes to 4 hours), this state independently passes to the other side of the nose. Of course, you will immediately feel the relief of breathing in one nostril, but, unfortunately, almost immediately you will find that the other is no longer breathing.
Therefore, experts advise working to reduce painful "congestion" in general. Inhalation and rinsing the nostrils with salt water will help. Nasal sprays are also able to "open the floodgates", ridding you of accumulated mucus.
Drugs that reduce mucosal edema
The most effective are those containing oxymetazoline. This substance narrows the blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling in the nasal passages. Although it should be remembered that these medicines cause a kind of dependence, since without their use, nasal breathing is immediately disturbed by new edema. Therefore, according to associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, MD Jonathan Bernstein A., they should be used no more than twice a day for a week.
If the ailment lasts more than 10-14 days, you should consult with your doctor to rule out serious pathologies, for example, a curvature of the nasal septum, which can also cause breathing problems.
- The main functions of the nose as a respiratory organ
- Causes and treatment of the symptom
- Sinusitis in children
When one nostril is blocked, what to do? The nose is the organ of breathing, smell and protection respiratory tract from adverse external factors.
Nature has awarded man with nasal breathing for a reason. The air we breathe is purified, humidified and warmed. This procedure protects our lungs from pathogens and hypothermia.
The main functions of the nose as a respiratory organ
It often happens that breathing through your nose becomes simply impossible, especially at night. People face the inability to breathe normally through their nose more than once in their lives. This problem is called a runny nose.
Nothing complicates a person's life more than: it is impossible to sleep normally at night, and even more so to sleep, it is impossible to taste food, smell a flower and do much of what a healthy person does without hesitation. In the end, a runny nose is so exhausting that all thoughts revolve exclusively around the only question - how to get rid of it.
When the ability to breathe through the nose is lost, a person is forced to do it with his mouth, which adversely affects the condition of the upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the mucous membrane, dehydration of the larynx and pharynx will very soon follow, which contributes to bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis and other ailments.
The preserved performance of one nostril does not help much in this situation. Scientists believe that a person needs two nostrils to deliver air to the left and right lungs, respectively. When one nostril does not work, one lung suffers from oxygen deprivation. In this case, air for both lungs is forced to flow only through one nostril, which improves the situation only partially: air enters both lungs, but in a reduced amount.
A similar situation develops with the so-called vasomotor rhinitis. With the apparent relief of the symptoms of the disease, there is no real improvement. Lying on one side, you feel that one nostril, located below, is not breathing, on the other side, the congestion gradually passes from the first to the second. This active behavior is not conducive to healthy sleep, so see an otolaryngologist immediately.
Back to the table of contents
Causes and treatment of the symptom
What if one nostril is clogged? An experienced doctor will start treatment with a diagnosis to make sure you are not experiencing an allergic reaction that could result in rhinitis. You will then have to take x-rays of the nasal cavities to make sure that inflammatory process or polyps. After this, conclusions should be drawn about possible reasons such a one-sided nasal congestion. There may be several of them:
- sinusitis;
- vasomotor or allergic rhinitis;
- problems of the nasal septum.
What treatment can be prescribed by a doctor:
- An otolaryngologist who detects a septal defect will most likely suggest that you surgically correct the defect in the nasal septum. This operation is called septoplasty.
- If the paranasal sinus is inflamed on one side or the nasal mucosa has increased in the same way, then there is a clinical picture of rhinitis.
- Any growths like polyps should be removed if found.
- For allergies, a course of antihistamines is suitable.
- There are cases of abnormal proliferation of blood vessels, this pathology is also eliminated by surgical intervention.
- For less severe cases, injections of anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs into the nasal cavity.
The situation with sinusitis, which cannot be called a mild disease, is much more complicated. A number of techniques are used to treat it. The most popular is the course of antibiotics. Ordinary hospitals prescribe him first. Recently, a new drug Sinuforte is gaining popularity among otolaryngologists. Simultaneously with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed medications that help strengthen the immune system and thus include in the fight against the disease and the strength of the body itself.
The newest methods of treating sinusitis do not recognize injections of antibiotics of sufficient strength to relieve inflammation in the maxillary sinuses and suggest using rinsing the nose with special solutions in treatment. In particular, now solutions of Ceftriaxone and Dekasan are used alternately for this. Since ancient times, the peoples of the East have been using the washing of the nostrils from the snot accumulated there.
As before, otolaryngology has not abandoned the traditional since Soviet times piercing of cartilage between the nose and the maxillary sinus with a Kulikov needle. This medical procedure involves causing the patient enough severe pain, so the technique is increasingly giving way to drug treatment and physiotherapy procedures.
The otolaryngologist will prescribe such a procedure to a sick child only in exceptional cases, when the disease has become very dangerous. But even in this situation, anesthesia is used during the procedure. In addition, a puncture can be prescribed in severe cases of emphysema of the cheek or orbit, blockage of blood vessels, abscess or phlegmon.
Modern doctors are sympathetic to the risk of such a procedure and, in most cases, use medication. Do not exclude use folk methodswhich are offered in abundance by alternative medicine. But in any case, all this should happen under close scrutiny otolaryngologist.
Vasomotor rhinitis is characteristic nasal congestion on only one side... While lying on your side, you can feel congestion, on the side on which you are lying. Turning over on the other side, you will gradually feel that. In order not to endlessly toss and turn from side to side and not to find time for this activity, you should start treating vasomotor rhinitis.
Reasons why one nostril is not breathing
First of all, the doctor will try to determine if you have an allergy, the manifestation of which this rhinitis can be.
A sinus x-ray may be done to check for sinus inflammation.
Treating nasal congestion
Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis presents certain difficulties. The recommended hardening methods, as well as physiotherapy, do not always help. Until now, the most effective ways to get rid of vasomotor rhinitis are surgical procedures and injection of some drugs, including novocaine, hormonal agents, agents affecting blood vessels.
The surgical operation aims to destroy the blood vessels of the mucous membrane, to prevent vasodilation and swelling of the mucous membrane, as a result of which and one nostril is blocked.
More gentle treatments
More gentle methods of treatment involve the use of special drugs introduced into the mucous membrane using electrophoresis.
As always, everything is also tied to immunity. Dietary supplements, such as Tiens garlic oil, in which the healing properties of garlic are combined with the absence of garlic odor, can help raise the level of immunity and normalize the condition of the blood vessels.
Folk cleaning methods if one nostril is blocked
There is also a technology of traditional eastern cleaning of the nasal passage - jala neti. Cleansing is carried out with salt water. In addition to treatment, it also has a powerful preventive function.
As is customary in eastern practices, when rinsing the nose, multiple stimulation is performed in parallel. nerve endings in the nose, improves the function of many organs.
In this case, the correct position of the head, vessels, warm salt water and a mastered washing technique are necessary. Neti is one of the most effective eastern methods of preventing and treating colds.
The nose is one of the most important components respiratory system, which has two main functions - protection and sense of smell. If a person has one nostril blocked, this may indicate the development of a cold or cancer, allergies, neurovegetative disorders, etc. It is possible to determine the true cause of the difficulty in breathing by the nature of the course of the disease and the accompanying clinical manifestations.
The alternate laying of one or the other of the nostrils is a sign of inflammation or severe edema of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx. Much less often, obstruction (obstruction) of the pathways is caused by benign or malignant tumors. This publication will discuss in detail the most likely causes of nasal breathing disorders, as well as possible diseases and their clinical manifestations.
Why does only one nostril clog? Most often, unilateral nasal congestion occurs with infectious inflammation of the nasopharynx. Its inner surface is covered with ciliated epithelium, inside which there are small glands. The monocellular glands secrete nasal mucus, which moisturizes the nasal cavity and cleanses it of allergens and disease-causing agents. Inflammatory reactions stimulate the synthesis of more mucus, which clogs the internal nasal openings (choanas) and, accordingly, interferes with normal breathing.
Maxillite (sinusitis)
Quite often, nasal congestion on one side occurs due to inflammation of one of the two maxillary sinuses (sinuses). The defeat of the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses is called maxillitis or sinusitis. The disease can develop either independently or against the background of other respiratory diseases - influenza, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, nasopharyngitis, etc.
If one or the other of your nostrils alternately lays down for a month or more, the cause of breathing problems is most likely an infection.
Symptoms of sinus inflammation are:
- pulling pain in the bridge of the nose and at the level of the cheeks;
- periodic discharge of purulent mucus;
- headaches and malaise;
- violation of nasal breathing;
- low body temperature;
- decreased or no sense of smell.
Treatment is carried out mainly with antibiotics and drugs that eliminate puffiness. This improves the drainage of the paranasal sinuses, which prevents the penetration of purulent contents into the surrounding tissues.
Posterior rhinitis
The causes of nasal congestion in children and adults may lie in development (rhinopharyngitis). The combined inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat and nasal cavity leads to swelling of the airways and, accordingly, difficulty in breathing. If one or the other nostril is blocked in turn, you should pay attention to the presence of concomitant symptoms. Typical manifestations are:
- sneezing and watery eyes;
- burning and itching in the nasopharynx;
- nasal voice;
- crusts on the inner surface of the nasal passages;
- laying of the right or left nostril in the supine position.
Immune protection plays a key role in the development of rhinopharyngitis in children and the elderly. A decrease in the body's resistance creates all the conditions for the development of infection in the respiratory organs.
As a rule, stuffing of both halves of the nose occurs in the acute course of the disease.
Sluggish inflammation of the mucous membranes is accompanied by edema of only a part of the nasopharynx, which is why patients alternately lay down the right and left nostril.
Nasal blockages are very common in children under 8 years of age. The causes of difficulty breathing may lie in the inflammation of the hypertrophied (enlarged) nasopharyngeal tonsil. Infectious inflammation of a pathologically enlarged tonsil (adenoids) is called adenoiditis.
The adenoids are located in the fornix of the nasopharynx, so their proliferation and inflammation inevitably leads to blockage of the airways. At the initial stages of development, children can alternately lay one or the other nostril. The following can indicate the development of the disease:
- purulent nasal discharge;
- labored breathing;
- fetid odor from the nose;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- unproductive cough;
- temperature increase.
Adenoiditis - infectious disease, which is most often diagnosed in children from 3 to 8 years old.
If nasal obstruction (congestion) persists during the use of vasoconstrictor and decongestant drops, you need to show the child to the pediatrician.
Delayed treatment of adenoiditis can provoke more serious disorders.
Non-infectious causes
It is possible to eliminate nasal obstruction only if the cause of the blockage of the nasal passages is identified and eliminated. If you have a stuffy nose on one side for several weeks or months, it is most likely due to a non-infectious pathology. Moreover, difficulty breathing may be due to defects in the intranasal structures or congenital diseases.
Oncological diseases are almost asymptomatic, therefore, signs of respiratory failure in the first couples are poorly expressed. However, as the pathology progresses, the overgrown tissues block the airways, which leads to obstruction of the nasopharynx. Tumors can destroy the surrounding tissue and thus cause discomfort in patients.
If a person cannot breathe only one nostril for a long time, the reason for this could be:
- angiofibroma - a benign neoplasm that occurs between the soft palate and back wall nasopharynx;
- myxoma - a small seal covered with a mucous membrane; is formed mainly in the nasal cavity, due to which the patient does not breathe in the right or left nostril;
- carcinoma - a malignant tumor that progresses rapidly, destroying the surrounding soft and bone tissue.
Physical and chemical carcinogens are the main provoking factors that increase the risk of malignant tumors by 3 times.
As the tumor grows, the symptoms of nasopharyngeal obstruction only increase. At the initial stages of the development of pathology, the patient lays only one nostril. If neoplasms are not eliminated in time, they will block the choanas, which will lead to a complete blockage of the airways.
Allergy
With an allergic reaction to the action of irritating substances, a person almost always has symptoms of rhinitis. The fact is that when the nasal mucosa comes into contact with allergens (dust mites, fluff, wool), inflammation occurs. Swelling of soft tissues leads to obstruction of the hone and, accordingly, obstruction of the nasopharynx. In this regard, during nasal breathing, either the left or right nostril.
Difficulty breathing, watery eyes, absence of fever, and itching in the nasal cavity are the main symptoms allergic rhinitis... Its development can be provoked by:
- household dust;
- dandruff of animals;
- wool and fluff;
- fungal spores;
- plant pollen;
- smell of perfume;
- household chemicals.
Inadequate treatment of allergic rhinitis can lead to the development bronchial asthma, otitis media, conjunctivitis and purulent sinusitis.
Vasomotor rhinitis
Vasomotor rhinitis is a disease characterized by obstruction of the nasal passages, which is associated with a violation of vascular tone. If one nostril is constantly blocked for no apparent reason, it is likely that the reason for this was the inadequate reaction of the mucous membrane to the action of ordinary physiological factors - cold, harsh temperatures, dust, etc.
Chronic nasal congestion, lack of smell and a feeling of dryness in the nasopharynx are the main manifestations of vasomotor rhinitis.
The development of vasomotor rhinitis is based on a violation of the excitability of the peripheral or central parts of the nervous system. In this regard, the ciliated epithelium, which covers the nasopharynx, cannot adequately respond to the action of specific or nonspecific stimuli. If the patient's nose does not breathe even if decongestants (vasoconstrictor drugs) are used, in most cases this indicates the development of a neurogenic (vasomotor) rhinitis.
Nasal congestion in pregnant women
Women during pregnancy often complain that they have one or the other nostril. According to experts, in most cases this is due to hormonal imbalance and, accordingly, swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The occurrence of endocrine disorders is indicated by the absence of typical manifestations of a respiratory disease - rhinitis, cough, lacrimation, malaise, etc.
During pregnancy, the placenta begins to produce more estrogen, which stimulates the secretory activity of the submucosa in the nasal cavity. The increased production of female hormone leads to an increase in the amount of nasal secretions in the airways and soft tissue edema. If only one nostril functions during inhalation, this indicates a blockage of one of the choans by a nasal secretion.
It should be noted that in pregnant women, the risk of developing an infection in the respiratory system increases by 35%. This is due to a decrease in immunity, since during the period of gestation, the mechanism for suppressing protective reactions is activated. The placenta produces substances that suppress the immune system and thereby prevent the rejection of the embryo.
Conclusion
Difficulty breathing is a nonspecific symptom that signals the development of a huge range of ENT diseases. If a person has only one nasal canal blocked, the reason may lie in the occurrence of neurovegetative disorders (vasomotor rhinitis), respiratory diseases (maxillitis, rhinopharyngitis, adenoiditis), oncological pathologies (myxoma, angioma, sarcoma), etc.
In pregnant women, obstruction (obstruction) of the nasal passages is more often associated with hormonal imbalances and respiratory diseases... The cause of the difficulty in breathing can be determined by the presence or absence of concomitant manifestations of the disease, as well as the nature of the nasal obstruction.
This method is associated with breathing. Breathing is very important for health, it is the link between the psyche and physiology, body and mind, the subtle world and the dense, physical. All our mental activity instantly affects breathing, its depth, frequency, rhythm, etc. When we are calm, complacent, breathing is deep, energy reaches the abdomen, revives it and the whole body. It is therapeutic energy, and belly breathing gives Calm.
When we act, especially in society, emotionally talk, conflict, defend our rights, etc., breathing decreases its depth. Energy only reaches chest... This is the zone of Confidence. But often anger, anger is excessive, breathing is "locked" in the chest, there is a constant, chronic overstrain of the rib muscles. From here begins many disorders in the body. This tension must be removed so as not to "burn out".
And the third type of breathing is very short and frequent. Energy - only up to the collarbones. It gives Joy, it is psychic breathing. This is what occurs during meditation, psychic work. Such breathing is necessary, otherwise you can harm the lungs.
The nose, nostrils are connected with two energy channels. On the left is Ida, lunar, cooling, and on the right, Pingala, sunny, warming. Colds, runny nose, nasal congestion, this is just a violation of the natural relative balance of these channels. It is not that difficult to regain balance, especially at the onset of the illness. No medicines, herbs, ointments are needed. It is very simple to get rid of colds, eternal sinusitis, airway congestion, laryngitis and other misfortunes! The basic rule is to always breathe through your nose. Even if it is blocked, both nostrils do not breathe. Cover your mouth with your hands, tape it up (kidding!), But don't breathe through your mouth! Do not be afraid, you will not suffocate! The nose will definitely break through the blocks and breathe. And all the muck (mucus) will come out through the mouth.
Here's an easy way to prevent colds. Feel that malaise begins - attention to the nostrils. In this case, one nostril is tightly clogged, does not breathe, only the other breathes. Lie on that side, the side whose nostril is open. For example, the right one is breathing, the left one is clogged. We lay down on the right side and lie down until the left, clogged, begins to breathe (while the right one closes). We turn over on our left side and lie until the right nostril breathes and the left one closes. Back to the right side, it's like rocking a boat while rolling, from side to side. The amplitude is large at the beginning, i.e. and the time of lying on one side or another is longer at the beginning, but as the equilibration (“calming down the waves”), the amplitude of the roll decreases, the time for the right or left side decreases. Both nostrils are closing less and less, normal healthy breathing begins, with two nostrils. One nostril always breathes deeper than the other, this is an energetic rhythm, but most importantly, both nostrils are open, breathing. “The boat is no longer shaking”, you lie on your back and breathe health. To consolidate the result, you can roll over on your stomach (this, by the way, helps well with clogged nostrils). Then back on your back and make some adjustments, that is, work informationally. After all, it all starts with the psyche, mind, wrong thoughts, wrong attitudes. It is noteworthy that during the Great Patriotic War, the soldiers did not suffer from colds, although they often slept in damp, frozen trenches. A runny nose, first of all, is a low self-esteem. Well, it is clear that in winter the Sun is small (namely, it is responsible for the "I" of a person), and immunity (self-preservation) is weakening. Southern peoples, for example, do not suffer from this, there is more than enough self-confidence and colds not particularly susceptible. Be healthy!
Related materials: