A Congested Nose | How To Cure

We have been taught to treat the nose like a clogged drain. But the nose is more like a penis (in terms of erectile physiology) than a pipe. When you have a cold, allergies, or even just lie down, your blood vessels dilate, filling the turbinates with blood. The sensation of "blockage" is the swelling of this tissue pressing against the septum. Understanding this changes everything about treatment.

Abstract Nasal congestion is not, as commonly believed, simply a problem of excess mucus. It is primarily a problem of vascular control. The nasal turbinates—bony, shelf-like structures inside your nose—are erectile tissue. They swell and shrink in a 3-7 hour cycle known as the nasal cycle. A "stuffy" nose is, in most cases, a temporary vascular erection, not a plumbing blockage. This paper argues that effective decongestion is not about removing goo, but about outsmarting the autonomic nervous system. how to cure a congested nose

Next time you are congested, do not reach for the decongestant spray (which causes rebound swelling—rhinitis medicamentosa). Instead, roll over, turn on a humidifier, and eat a jalapeño. Your nose knows the way. We have been taught to treat the nose like a clogged drain

Most people believe both nostrils work equally. They do not. Every 90 minutes to 4 hours, the autonomic nervous system shifts blood flow from one side to the other. This is the nasal cycle. At any given moment, one nostril is dominant for airflow, the other is partially congested. This prevents the nasal mucosa from drying out. A cold simply hijacks this mechanism, turning a partial, healthy congestion into a total, miserable one. The sensation of "blockage" is the swelling of