One nostril being consistently blocked often stems from normal body function (the nasal cycle) or structural issues like a deviated septum, but can also be from inflammation due to allergies, polyps, infections, or even sleeping position, causing tissue swelling that obstructs airflow, sometimes requiring medical attention if persistent.
Awareness of the nasal cycle
It's normal for the nose to alternate being obstructed on one side and then change to being obstructed on the other. This is called the nasal cycle. This cycle is normal, but being aware of the nasal cycle isn't typical and can indicate nasal obstruction.
Having one clogged nostril can be uncomfortable and frustrating, leaving you wondering why your nose is always blocked on one side. There are many possible reasons why one side of your nose is stuffy, including a deviated septum, nasal polyps, and a natural cycle of airflow through the nose throughout the day.
Surgery for sinusitis
Surgery to treat chronic sinusitis is called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). FESS is carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep). The surgeon can widen your sinuses by either: removing some of the blocked tissue.
If your nostril won't unclog, try nasal irrigation (Neti pot/saline spray), steam, humidifiers, staying hydrated, and elevating your head to thin mucus and reduce inflammation; if it persists or worsens, see a doctor as it could be a deviated septum, polyps, or infection.
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.
Signs and symptoms of nasal and paranasal tumors can include:
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. This can lead to sinus infections that keep coming back (recurrent).
Location: With a bacterial sinus infection, it's common to feel pain and pressure on just one side of your face. That happens when the infection is in just one sinus. With a cold or allergies, sinuses on both sides will be affected.
Elevate Your Head To Get Rid of Your Stuffy Nose at Night
Your blood pressure and blood flow to the upper body also changes when you lie down in bed — this can cause inflammation in the nose and nasal passages. Sleeping on your side may cause the nostril closest to the bed to clog.
Signs and symptoms
For adults — See a healthcare professional if:
You have symptoms for more than 10 days. You have a high fever. What's coming from your nose is yellow or green.
It is usually caused by an infection, such as the flu, a cold or coronavirus. However, frequent or persistent episodes of nasal congestion can be a symptom of other conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, swollen adenoids, chronic (long-term) sinusitis and in rare cases, tumours.
You might be able to tell by taking the deviated septum self-test: Using your finger, hold one of your nostrils closed. Breathe in and notice the airflow. Be mindful about how easy or difficult it is to breathe through that nostril.
Being flat on your back can compound nasal congestion since mucus pools in the sinuses to block airflow. Sleeping with your head elevated will promote the drainage of mucus, preventing congestion from building during the night.
If a severely deviated septum isn't treated, it can lead to chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, snoring, poor sleep (even sleep apnea), dry mouth from mouth breathing, frequent nosebleeds, headaches, facial pain, and recurring sinus infections, significantly reducing your quality of life and impacting physical performance.
Dealing with a blocked nostril can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially when it seems to only affect one side. Common culprits include a deviated septum, allergies, or even the way you sleep. Fortunately, simple remedies like saline rinses and elevating your head at night can often provide relief.
Key Takeaways. You can test for a deviated septum at home by checking if your nostrils look similar or by breathing through each nostril separately. If your test suggests a deviated septum, see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Symptoms
The most common presenting symptoms of sinonasal lymphomas are nasal obstruction, epistaxis, headache, and unilateral facial, cheek, or nasal swelling 1 7 16 17. Other infrequent symptoms are diplopia or blurred vision, and nasal or cheek pain.
Difficulty or pain when you swallow or speak. Frequent nosebleeds. Loss of the sense of smell. Nasal obstruction (blockage), difficulty breathing or pain inside the nose.
Get prompt medical care if you have nasal congestion accompanied by:
Foods To Be Avoided During Sinusitis
It can happen because you have a virus or allergy that causes more mucus in your nose or a condition that narrows your nasal passages. If you have a virus, your blocked nose at night should get better on its own. If your blocked nose symptoms don't get better, ask your pharmacist or doctor which medicines can help.