It’s normal for half your nose to always feel blocked
**Secret Revealed**
You probably don’t think about it much, but if you did, you’d notice that it often feels like one nostril or the other is always plugged. That’s completely normal for about 70% of adults.
Assuming you’re healthy, your “plugged” nostril actually allows a tiny amount of air through and your other nostril handles the rest. After an average of 2.5 hours, the cycle will shift and use the alternate nostril as the primary source of air. The following scan shows one nasal passage mostly blocked and the other mostly open.
For a long time, Eastern medicine has had theories about the purpose of this cycle and a number of exercises that involve moving air through a specific nostril. On the other hand, Western scientists didn’t come up with a physiological purpose for this phenomena until more recently.
Research indicates that the high/low flow approach in the two nostrils optimizes your sense of smell. As you’ve probably discovered first hand, or shall we say finger, the inside of your nose is lined with mucus. This mucus continues deep inside your nasal passage and is very important; it acts as a barrier and helps protect your brain from infection. But, it also means that something you smell has to be absorbed by the mucus before you can smell it.
This mucus absorbs different chemical compounds at different rates. Therefore, some smells are better detected when they are absorbed in more concentrated levels in the slow moving airstream of your plugged nostril while others are better smelled when absorbed in lower concentration through the fast moving airstream of the other nostril.
Humans have about 1.6 sq inches (10 cm²) of smell receptor cells in our nasal passage. By contrast, dogs have 17 times more space dedicated to these same receptors, and in greater density, which explains why their sense of smell is so much better than ours.
Chad Upton is the editor-in-chief of Broken Secrets and an official Yahoo Answers contributor.
Thanks for reading,
Sources: wikipedia (Nasal Cycle, Olfaction)
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I know this much, when I got a cold I plugone side sometimes and I feel better and it keeps one open. But I didnt know the info you posted. Good post.
I grew up with my nose being blocked halfway. People used to tease me as a child with the wind-tunnel sound I made whilst breathing. In my adult life, by chance looking for a fix to some gland swelling, the doctor says I had a deviated septum and surgery would clear it up. In the meantime, he gave me Flonase and I was clear as a bell for the first time ever. My nose flowed “too” well and in air conditioned rooms, became too cold so I would just breathe through my mouth at times. But now that you mention it, I can’t really smell anything when my nostrils are clear using Flonase (me personally). Cool info.
I have had chronic sinus infections my whole life (5-8 per year) and pretty big tonsils that also liked to get infected once a year or more. So, when I was 17 (I’m 23 now) I went to see an ENT because they were worried about me becoming antibiotic resistant. I found out that I had a deviated septum, very large adenoids, and that my tonsils should probably removed at some point in my life. The ENT said that I needed to have surgery to fix my deviated septum and remove my adenoids.
My insurance company also made me do a sleep study to get the procedures approved because they would only cover it if the problem was causing at least partial sleep apnea. Low, and behold, it was, and the sleep study doctor said I needed to have the deviated septum and adenoid removal surgery, and later have my tonsils removed (it would’ve been too much to do it all at once).
So, I had the deviated septum and adenoid removal surgery. Once everything was healed, I could breathe clearer than I ever had in my life. The surgery did reduce the number and severity of my sinus infections, but it was not without lasting side-effects that no one had warned me about.
So, for all of you people out there like MrCead, that have a deviated septum and are considering surgery, let me tell you what your ENT won’t necessarily tell you. (Sorry if it’s a little graphic, but lets be honest, if you’re considering this surgery, you’ll want to know these things.)
First of all, while you will be able to breathe easier and have better sinus drainage, the inside of your nose may never be the same. The little hairs in your nose, called cilia, which help trap things like pollen, move mucus around, and can prevent snot/boogers from drying and getting stuck to the insides of your nose, well, I don’t think mine ever really grew back. No matter how hydrated I am, boogers always dry up and get stuck on the sides of the inside of my nose. This is a bit of a problem, because if you don’t get them out, they can become really dry and possibly pointy, and then when you rub your nose it can scrape the other side and possibly give you a nosebleed (I’ve had this happen quite a few times). The only way to prevent the nosebleed (not the crusting b/c for me it happens no matter what) is to either wet/rinse the inside of your nose with saline, or carefully pick your nose. Well, the saline thing really only works at home, unless you carry saline on you at all times, so I often have to go to the bathroom and go in the stall so I can pick my nose. It’s not very fun!
Another way your nose might never be the same is that, it might become hypersensitive and dry out REALLY easy because the skin and tissue in your nose is a little thinner than it used to be. I have pretty bad seasonal allergies and I used to use prescription nasal sprays (although they were only mildly effective, it was something), and I used to not have too much of a problem with nose drying out from them. Well, after the surgery, if I used a nasal spray, it would hurt soooo bad, my nose would dry out super fast, and I would get nosebleeds constantly. My sensitivity is so bad now, that I can’t even use a saline solution that has any preservatives in it at all. Also, when in the winter, my nose dries out really bad, I have to use saline everyday, and when I go outside in the bitter cold and try to breathe through my nose, it burns like hell. I also now have to use this saline mist every five minutes or so when I do cardiovascular exercise. I have exercised induced asthma, and am doing pulmonary rehab for it, and they told me that I need to breathe in through my nose and out my mouth to control my breathing. I had never realized that I have always breathed solely through my mouth while exercising (b/f the surgery I did b/c I couldn’t get enough air through my nose, and after because breathing that heavily and frequently in through my nose, irritated it really bad), and every time after the first few classes, I would get this sinus pressure and migraine from hell and have to go to the acupuncturist to fix it. Then I started using saline spray while exercising, every time I start to feel even the slightest irritation, and the sinus pressure and migraines stopped, but it’s really annoying, and kind of embarrassing when I go to the gym, people stare and look at you funny.
Another issue, that doesn’t really bother me, but caused a major problem for my cousin who had the surgery is an increase in post nasal drip. I have always had post nasal drip running at a pretty constant rate, it’s what used to contribute to the tonsillitis, but before the surgery it was usually thick and had a hard time moving because it couldn’t get through my sinuses and past my large adenoids easily, now because I have better drainage in my sinuses, I have a constantly have a thin secretion of post nasal drip running down the back of my throat. This doesn’t bother me because it’s thin and I’m just used to it. My cousin however, who like the average person only experienced post nasal drip with colds and sinus infections, feels like there is constantly stuck in her throat and so she is constantly, and I mean constantly, coughing and/or clearing her throat and it has become very troublesome for her.
So, these are just some of the issues that can happen after surgery to fix a deviated septum. Honestly, unless it’s REALLY bad, is causing other health problems, and you have no other options, I wouldn’t recommend it because the possible lasting side-effects are not worth it otherwise. I still get semi-chronic sinus infections, I just don’t get them in my maxillary sinuses anymore, I get them in my frontal and sometimes ethmoidal sinuses. But, I would’ve had to have the surgery done eventually because mine was so bad that later in life, as the partial sleep apnea got worse (it naturally does with age), I wouldn’t have really been able to use a c-pap mask effectively b/c of the deviated septum.
So, take my advice and do some research if you’re considering surgery for a deviated septum.
Hi, Chad-
I’ve always wondered why it is that if you have a cold and lie on one side, the lower nostril gets stuffed up and the other one opens up. If you roll over, the opposite one opens up.
Jessica-I have constant problems with dry nose, but not quite as bad as yours. I didn’t realize this until I went to an ENT for constantly stuffy nose and he told me that dry air was causing it.
I use saline nose sprays frequently. Arm & Hammer now has one out called Simply Saline.
You may have already tried them, but I’ve found Ayr nasal gel (in a tube) to help, especially at night.
I also have dry eyes, dry skin, and, my manicurist tells me, dry cuticles. Perhaps I was meant to live in the rain forest : )
Uh…bull …
It is not normal for one of your nostrils to be plugged all the time. It is caused by mucous. Mucous forms from things like dairy. Any amount of dairy and you start to produce mucous. Too much and you will have a plugged nose. Simple secret revealed. It is normal for majority of you to have cancer too, but is it really normal? no.
Thank you very much for this info. Although I do not know your qualifications to support it, your article has cleared up a lot of worry and headaches. I used to think I had a sinus problem or something else!
my boyfriend complains of having a clogged nose when he sleeps. he calls it a “Deviated septum”
I went to the ent last week or may 7th and the doctor put a metal rod in my nose and.scraped my aendoid or however you spell it and now it prdoces scabs consantly so if you go to an ent say no to the rod and ot hurts so bad like a shot in your nosrle if that helps…i know i sound like an idiot grammar.spelling and logicaly but this is of my phone..sorry
OMG! I thought i was the only one ! :’o
Oh my gosh! Don’t feel left out that happens to me all the time! I think it is normal. I too have dry skin I have
no. my nose is allways stuffy even though I blow it so many times.
yes its normal
It is not normal; it is allergies.
well you may have a deviated septum.
that happens to me too. It is always my left nostril. I found that sleeping with a cool mist vaporizer helps a lot and it prevents me from waking up in the middle of the night as often. I have been told it is caused by dry nasil membranes as well as swelling. That can be triggered by dry air, hormones changes, or just plain old nasty colds and allergies.
No, that is not normal or healthy to have one or another of your nostrils blocked off air passage.
Yoga breath exercises may correct the problem.
The reason having one nostril blocked enhances your sense of smell is due to a phenomenon known as “olfactory accommodation”. In other words, after a while you get used to a smell and stop noticing it. This is where the blocked nostril comes in – when it unblocks the sensory nerves in the newly unblocked nostril are exposed to the smell – and suddenly you can smell it again!
A dog’s nose is so sensitive that it can detect the difference between organic molecules that differ by as little as two carbon atoms in chain. The only way humans can do this is using fancy (and expensive) pieces of analytical equipment!
You’re pretty right, but that brings me to the question: What kind of handkerchief do you use, if your nose is stuck with slime and dirt, the kleenex style (if so, one paper tissue at a time or do you use it several times? where do you dispose them?) or the old-style woolen ones, or do you just use, like my grandfather did, two fingers and snort into the trunk?
And why do dogs always stink?
I really hope this is a SE spoof.
I agree w Andy et al: Fooey!
Plugged nose common? yes. Healthy/normal?no.
This bit is a wikilift by an IT salesguy who prides himself on hacking… and social engineering is considered hacking by some. The “following scan” showing nasal passages evidently references the up nose picture of the dog (good one Chad). “For a long time, Eastern medicine…” has had a lot of cockamamie theory of questionable value. Another sweet clue that this is a spoof.
I love the dog analogy. Aint never seen a healthy dog with a stuffed nose but I’m just a country boy.
Come on people! Engage your critical mind when reading. Try a saline spray or a neddy pot if there’s a bustle in yer hedgerow- don’t belong there. Its hay fever, whining makes it worse, try to tough it through, troopers. Men actually used to blow their noses (in public! HOW TACKY) in these reusable things called hankies….
This reminds me of when women post that they have 1 breast bigger than the other and tons of deformed girls rush to explain to her that “it is perfectly normal”. Um, no it’s not. You’re deformed! Stop playing Emperor’s New Clothes, denial might make you feel better if you have that kind of low IQ that you can fool yourself, but denial makes you look ridiculous to the rest of the normal & rational thinking world!
Its completely normal if you have a cold but if you want to solve it by some nasel sparay hope this helps
Though it may be normal for over half the population it isn’t normal for the human body. Most of the time its due to being slightly irritated with what your are breathing in. Some people are sensative to the particles in the air though they may not prove to be allergies they are sensitivities according to most, including my allergist and that is completely avoidable if you will get ‘normal saline’ or ‘simply salt saline’ from the local pharmacy section of any store and use it as often as you wish. Your body needs salt and water in a combined proper portion rationing and the majoriety of people on this planet do not take in that ratio. You need 1 quart of water to 1/4 tsp of salt and the water needs to be half your weight in ounces of water a day so if you weight 128 pounds you need 64 ounces of water and that is at least 5 quarts of water with 1 1/4 tsp of salt for your body to sustain life for itself properly. If you do that you will not be stuffed in the head and won’t even have a sinus problem. I’ve been doing this for 6 years now and have never even got a cold since I started it. Just use the normal saline as often as you deem necessary and drink your water and consume only that much salt with it. If you take in more salt than that a day then drink the water accordingly. If you want even more proof than my allergist then read “You are not sick, your’re thirsty:Water for health, for healing, for life” by Dr. Batmanghelidj… http://www.watercure.com/waterforhealthforhealingforlifehardcover.aspx. Happy breathing.
I’m getting tired of seeing this post about a blocked nose every time I come on yahoo.Please change it. Its making me sick. Thanks in advance.
yes
yes its normal when you have a cold one nostril is always blocked then it goes to the other one with the first clear ,
My nose is blocked mostly like when i lay down. I was hit in the face a lot as a child and well I thought that was why. MY nose feels swollen inside (Left side) so I have to turn to my opposite side .
If you always having nose blocked. Then might’ve have “Nasal Polyp” grown in your nose!
I think many people have this but sometimes it occurs due to a blow or hard hit like in sports that one nostril will not breath as well as the other especially if you have had a broken nose.
Very common and many people write it off not remembering the incident.
I thought it just a few people. My mom says she can breath through both nostrils. Me and my dad can only breath through one nostrill at a time.
i have that problem all the time, only one side is plugged. it switches alot, especially when i go to bed. i have to keep rolling over so i can breathe on different sides.
Good question.
I’m thinking it may be dairy related.
Wow, I have always wondered why this happens to me. I could never figure it out before.
Right! I always and always have one nostril blocked and I had noted this several years back. But, since I have a tonsillitises problem, I thought it was some abnormalities in me. All the doctors I consulted have given up and are recommending me to take nasal drops as they said there is no solution to the problem.
Right! I always and always have one nostril blocked and I had noted this several years back. But, since I have a tonsillitises problem, I thought it was some abnormalities in me. All the doctors I consulted have given up and are recommending me to take nasal drops as they said there is no solution to the problem
I have this problem of a stuffy nose all the time Im addicted to some nose sprey Xylometazoline HCl 0.1% Otrivin Manthol I use it every night. Im also alergic to all polen and have shortness of breath sometimes
why does so many people do comments on the 18th of May?
because this other guy posted a comment on the 18th as well but it was on who and whom
i like that dog up there
gotta go from Kate(the person who rules the world!)
For those of you that have never experienced what is called a deviated septum, then you have never experienced one of life’s more annoying gifts!
What get is the ability to breathe out of one or both nostrils at a time or not at all. Depending on the severity of your septum deviation, you will become what they call a mouth breather. If I’m sleep or simply lying on side of my head, I can turn to the other side and feel the snot flow into the other side. Being a smoker for a long time, I was able to entertain people by blowing smoke out of one nostril, which I’ve always considered entertainment for the unintelligent!
This in itself has it’s own drawbacks. I’ve had this condition since birth, even to the extent that my nose looks like it’s been broken even though it hasn’t. I am subject to colds, allergies, and snot-balls bigger than imaginable. I can hock a loogie further than most normal people on the face of this planet. Best of all… my breath can and has offended many a person. I think I should be the star of a breath-mint commercial.
no this is not okay i am a physician and you will die soon it might create blockage of oxygen to the brain and your mouth will feel dry and will not be able to breath ever again and you will not be able to speak again because your voice box will dry up. sorry to scare you but you will be dead in about 1 month
@ stephanie
AHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was a good joke. For the record, physician’s don’t study anatomy. You won’t ‘die’ in a month. Are you omniscient? Last time I checked, only God knows the future. Besides, it’s not possible for the voice box to dry up, as it has a thin mucus lining that absorbs moisture and ENSURES that the throat; including the voice box doesn’t dry up. Please quadruple the reliability of your nonsense. Thank you.
Should I do DNS surgery or not? My left nostril gets blocked, starting a headache and i have to get up from sleep.
Why does this not happen for right nostril. Why do i not get any discomfort when the right nostril blocks?
No it’s not normal.. I have the same problem, they said i need surgery for deviated septum. Do you guys ever wonder what we are breathing in our air??
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You notice so much its virtually arduous to argue with you (not that I truly would want…HaHa).
You positively put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for years.
Nice stuff, simply great!
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My daughter is forever blowing her nose ,yet nothing comes out ,and she says it is blocked ,its getting her down ,shes 24,and dnt have the flue or anything ,what can this be
If your nose is constantly blocked, you might have a lego wheel stuck inside. One that you put inside long ago and forgot about it. There is a true article about this.
It is my right side that is blocked alot and has been for over a year now. I have COPD and wonder if this has anything to do with it. I just wish i could find an answer to why.
When I ever I get a stuff nose my parents tell me my cho chi. Train back. Because my allergies get so bad my right sinus always gets stuff up.
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