It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side. If this is caused by an infection or allergies, then it is quite common for the blocked nostril to switch sides. If caused by a deviated septum or obstruction, then the same nostril will always be affected.
Q: Why do I sometimes get congested in one nostril? A: Many people don't realize that every four to six hours, one side of the nose becomes more congested, and the other side decongests. They switch back and forth in a normal cycle.
In many people, the nasal septum is off-center — or deviated — making one nasal passage smaller. When a deviated septum is severe, it can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow, causing difficulty breathing.
It's down to what's known as the 'nasal cycle'. We might not realise it, but our bodies deliberately direct the airflow more through one nostril than the other, switching between nostrils every few hours.
Many factors can cause a blocked nose at night, including allergies; sinusitis; dry and dusty air; physical obstruction; pregnancy; viral infection; posture, and heartburn/acid reflux. Treatments that can help unblock the nose at night include using a nasal spray and drinking lots of water.
“Blowing your nose is useful, but if nothing is coming out, it generally means there's not a lot of mucus.” The three common culprits behind inflammation in your nose are infections, allergies, and nonallergic rhinitis, says Dr. Alexander.
Blowing your nose to alleviate stuffiness may be second nature, but some people argue it does no good, reversing the flow of mucus into the sinuses and slowing the drainage. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but research shows it to be true.
It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
Prop Yourself Up With Pillows
According to Dr. Leann Poston of Invigor Medical, “Elevating your head before bed can increase drainage and decrease congestion.” That's why the best position to sleep with a stuffy nose is on your back with different types of pillows elevating your head and neck.
Blowing the nose can worsen the feeling of congestion due to pressure build-up within the nostrils, which may shoot up the mucus into the sinuses instead of ejection through the nose.
So it is fine to either sniff or to blow non-infectious secretions depending on which part of the nose (front or back) is producing the mucus.
The study found that the burst of air produced by a sneeze not only clears nasal passages but also triggers the cilia sensors to kick the paddles into high gear for an extended period—about a couple minutes—Cohen said.
Some patients report that their nose blocks when they lie on their side in bed, thus lying on the right is associated with right nasal block and the opposite when they lie on their left. Topical sprays which administer a low dose of steroid to the nose or surgery to the turbinates inside the nose can often help.
Use a warm compress: applying a warm compress like a washcloth to your face and allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes can also help break up the mucus and alleviate the pressure when you have a sinus infection.
The best sleeping position for sinus drainage problems and other sinus issues is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and reduce the chance of excessive blood flow that can develop sinus congestion.
a blocked nose. pain and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead. a sinus headache. a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or more.
Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.
The nose warms and humidifies the air inhaled with moisture that evaporates from the lining of the nasal passage. When exposed to cold and dry air, the lining of the nose becomes irritated and inflamed, and it produces more mucus, resulting in nasal congestion.