The turbinates also go through a process which is known as the nasal cycle. This cycle is where one turbinate increases in size whilst the other decreases and then they swap over. This accounts for why people notice that they have a blocked nose on one side which then swaps to the other side.
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.
You may be born with a septum that is bent (deviated) to one side or an injury may move it out of position. A deviated septum does not always cause problems. However, if the septum is severely bent, this can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow. You may find it harder to breathe through one nostril.
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.
“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 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.
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.
Other people normally can't tell you have a deviated septum. Trouble breathing through the nose, or one side of the nose, is the most common symptom. You may also have stuffiness, congestion, or a feeling of fullness. A deviated septum can also impair normal drainage from the sinuses.
Fiber-optic nasal endoscopy is a diagnostic exam that provides a detailed view of the nasal passages. Doctors use endoscopy to determine the position of the septum and confirm whether any other structural damage or abnormalities contribute to obstructed breathing.
Deviated septum self-test
Use a finger to hold one of your nostrils closed. Breathe in, paying attention to how the air flows in and out of the open nostril. Is breathing through that nostril easy or does it seem like the airflow is blocked? Hold down your other nostril and repeat the breathing exercise.
Balloon sinuplasty allows the surgeon to dilate a blocked sinus, creating open space, which allows the sinus to drain normally. The surgeon uses a flexible endoscope with a light to guide the insertion of a thin wire. The wire is then moved through the nasal passages toward the opening of the blocked sinus.
Whether it's from a hot shower or piping hot cup of tea, steam can thin mucus and help it drain from your nose. For faster relief, pour boiling water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and breathe in the steam. You can do this three to four times a day.
Nasal congestion typically clears after a few days, but congestion that lasts for a week or more may be a sign of an infection. Left untreated, nasal congestion may cause sinusitis, nasal polyps or middle ear infections.
Food to Avoid
Avoid dairy if you have had previous episodes of sinus infections. Also, try to avoid refined sugar as it is pro-inflammatory and increases the production of mucus. Other foods to avoid include tomatoes (contain histamines), chocolate, cheese, gluten, and fruits like bananas, which can cause congestion.
Those with a deviated septum may favor sleeping on one side of their body for easier breathing.
The deviation may be from a difficult birth or connective tissue disease. It may also be a result of normal development. As the nose grows, the septum also grows and can sometimes grow towards one side. This is typically the most common reason to have a deviated septum.
It's impossible for a deviated septum to heal on its own. However, treatment for a deviated septum varies depending on the circumstances and severity of it.
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.