Nose concern

[dmpauly]

Hi,

I was wondering if it is normal to only be able to breathe out of one nostril at a time?  At least one of my nostrils is plugged at any one time.  They switch back one forth, but I think the right one is clogged more often that the left.

[AndyPep]

I'm the same, and it's been bugging me for a very long time. I've always considered that a very blocked nose must restrict proper oxygen flow, which surely could cause all kinds of symptoms.

I never had much luck with medications that went directly into the nose, it always seemed they never made it past the blockage in the first place!

I have had success taking maximum dose of Pseudoephidrine, a decongestant available as Sudafed over the counter. I currently take max. dose 240mg/day of this and it makes quite a bit of difference. I feel a lot better, have more energy, sleep less and sleep better. Don't get so much lethargy but the underlying problem is still there, I've not cured it.

It has crossed my mind that this is just a cross we have to bear in the modern age of pollution in the air, water and of course loads of rubbish in what we eat.

Might get to the bottom one day, but doubt it.

[canada110]

leave the nose alone..take it from me..i suffer greatly just ask jordo about how important the nose is

[dmpauly]

My nose was broken in a fight when I was 20 years old (8 years ago),which caused it to be completely shifted to the right side.  The emergency doctor put the nose back in place as best as he could; however, it's very easy to tell I have a deviated septum.  

[BethanySublime]

I've had that issue my whole life and also wondered if it's normal.  I have bad allergies so I have always assumed that's the reason, but I know it's really bad for me because when I lived up north I would often see my breath out of one nostril only, and notice two streams from everyone else's noses.

have you had a lot of sinus infections in your life or broken your nose?  my boyfriend's mom was just informed she only has 5% airflow through one nostril due to both of those things.

but no matter what, i don't think it's anything to worry about.

[Jordy]

Yes, the is normal to an extent.  In a perfectly straight nose (which is rare), the turbinates have alternating swelling/contracting cycles, causing the sensation that one side of the nose is stuffier than the other at any given time.

However, on top of that, most noses have some form of deviation (asymmetry) inside that causes the turbinates to fill the nasal openings somewhat unevenly, making on side feel MORE stuffy than when the other side is stuffy.  Add to that allergies or irritants, creating inflammation separately, and you have what is likely your situation.  Again, it is very common.  You may want to visit an ENT for a quick checkup just to make sure you deviation isn't extreme; he may also be able to suggest prescription nasal sprays or the use of saline nasal washes (I LOVE sinucleanse saline nasal wash) to help keep the passages as clear as possible.