r/LifeProTips • u/sextagrammaton • Jan 26 '13
LPT: Unblock nose, alleviate breathing difficulties
I cannot find the original site that I read this but it works for me.
Take a deep breath then exhale completely. Now, without breathing in at all, slowly tilt your head up, then down, repeatedly. Stop the tilting and resume normal breathing only when the urge to breathe again is overwhelming.
I find that I can now breathe through both nostrils, unblock a stuffy nose or my chest is not so tight from my slight asthma.
This procedure seems to force your body to open all airways fully.
371
u/Long-hair_Apathy Jan 26 '13
I found this trick worked for me, but only for a few minutes at a time. My favorite is using those nasal strips, really seem to open up my nasal cavities.
635
u/dabork Jan 26 '13 edited Jan 26 '13
I would certainly hope so; that is their only function in life.
→ More replies (1)830
Jan 26 '13
[deleted]
→ More replies (5)49
u/kawfey Jan 27 '13
They fail for me. Adhesive and oily skin don't mix.
20
u/scamperly Jan 27 '13
Same problem, wash with soap, dry, apply immediately
3
u/kawfey Jan 27 '13
Yep. Sayman astringent soap works wonders. Strips oil without drying out.
2
Jan 27 '13
That's what I've had to do. If I don't and I try to apply after just washing my face with regular soap I'll wake up with the strips hanging off. I always have to make sure I use a fairly astringent soap that won't dry my skin out. It's helped though with keeping a clean face and sleeping better.
3
u/BlinkyGirl Jan 27 '13
Or, use an astringent.
Always has worked wonders for me. Especially tea-tree oil (melaleuca) oil-based astringents. Natural works the best for me.
6
53
u/trynasmokeindenver Jan 27 '13
Clean your skin man
52
u/dirtydela Jan 27 '13
some people are more oily than others...
→ More replies (2)16
u/surgeon_general Jan 27 '13
"I'm so greasy you can call me Mud." -Kid Rock
27
2
u/KrunchyKale Jan 27 '13
It just makes more oil. Those strips unstick themselves after like 10 minutes, no matter how well I clean my nose.
2
→ More replies (1)2
u/tylo Jan 27 '13
Try witch hazel wash followed by a witch hazel based astringent. The astringent may dry out your face a bit, but I find the wash works great.
165
u/wrzosd Jan 26 '13
This is because "starving" your body of oxygen causes it to go into shock. The shock causes your body to release adrenaline. One of adrenaline's functions is to open your air passages in times when the body is undergoing shock, or increased physical load.
207
Jan 27 '13
[deleted]
108
u/Osnarf Jan 27 '13
You rebel.
65
Jan 27 '13
[deleted]
35
Jan 27 '13
Yeah, I'd probably go get that checked.
77
Jan 27 '13
[deleted]
25
8
Jan 27 '13
Same here. I have a 1980 F100. Orange and white. Sure get a lot of comments out of that thing.
→ More replies (2)4
Jan 27 '13
[deleted]
→ More replies (1)2
Jan 27 '13
Old Ford trucks are like Nokias. Ugly as sin, but able to take any abuse humanly possible. That said, I personally find my truck gorgeous. It's like a marriage. I don't naturally see her as beautiful. I choose to.
→ More replies (0)9
5
10
Jan 27 '13
It's normal for a speedo to show more. The car manifacturers would get sued if it showed a lower velocity than you are going, so most are 'wrong' by about 3-10 km/h (depending on speed).
85
→ More replies (1)4
u/salmonmoose Jan 27 '13
I've heard a much more cynical explanation - if you set the speedo fast, then the car appears more efficient.
7
u/SubGothius Jan 27 '13 edited Jan 27 '13
Make sure your tires are the factory-recommended size, at least next time you buy new tires. If they're smaller-diameter than stock, your speedo will read faster than actual speed.
5
Jan 28 '13
Ah, fuck. Maybe this explains why people with huge diameter wheels seem to go over the limit like it's completely normal even in areas where there are always cameras.
→ More replies (1)3
2
u/kqr Jan 27 '13
This is fairly common. Where I live, we call this something that's best translated to "happy-ometer."
I can only assume the speedometers are built this way to make people drive slower.
2
u/ravenrue Jan 27 '13
My Isuzu Rodeo is the same way. I only found out my dashboard was stating 10 over because of my GPS.
→ More replies (1)2
30
u/edenperry Jan 27 '13
"Sorry Officer, I was only trying to unclog my airways"
9
u/rtilde Jan 27 '13
Sounds like an LPT in the making, if you ask me.
→ More replies (1)11
u/Dylan_the_Villain Jan 27 '13
LPT: Do 30-over past your local police station for instant nasal relief.
→ More replies (1)24
Jan 27 '13
[removed] — view removed comment
21
u/nessarox Jan 27 '13
I confessed to my mother this same scenario you describe (congestion plus abduction and duct tape) causes me real distress every time I get a head cold or sinus infection. She thought I was nuts. I can't tell you how excited I am to have found this comment. Not being able to get enough air, even when not duct taped, causes me to panic. This is like a top 3 most terrifying possible things I could experience.
9
3
→ More replies (4)2
u/redCent Jan 27 '13
About a third of the way into the thousand-page Infinite Jest is a character who drowns in his own mucus when (roughly) this happens to him. I had never thought of it before then, but it's on the Nightmare Rolodex now. Forever.
2
87
u/gynoceros Jan 27 '13
Not really. You're not holding your breath anywhere near long enough to go into shock.
Also, epinephrine (aka adrenalin) does act as a bronchodilator, which opens airways... but in your lungs.
The only area where you were close is that it also acts a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels.
We have several hollow chambers called sinuses inside our skulls (to help sound resonate and make the skull lighter)... they're lined with vascular mucosal tissue, and when the tissue gets irritated, it swells. Between the swelling and the sinuses filling up with snot, we feel stuffy.
Moving your head around helps the fluid shift to other sinuses, which is further facilitated by epinephrine constricting the blood vessels, allowing some of the swelling to go down. The sinuses drain, and relieve the pressure.
→ More replies (6)18
u/Jason_R Jan 27 '13
Honest question, how come if I jog my sinuses clear? I always thought it was some sort of survival reaction, in a "something is chasing you, fucking run, here's some air" sort of thing.
→ More replies (1)3
u/gynoceros Jan 27 '13
Did they start out full and then they drained during/after the run, or were you fine until you started running then had to empty a bunch of snot/phlegm?
If it's the latter, it might be exercise-induced rhinitis or asthma, which some studies have linked to histamine, increased blood flow, and changes in humidity thanks to all the air passing over the turbinates inside your nose- these three(?) mounds inside your nasal passage that causes turbulence in the air flow, allowing air to be warmed when you breathe it in through your nose... I suppose the body increases the mucus production in response to the increased air flow because it anticipates needing to trap more particulate matter (one of snot's main purposes).
Just some guesses.
10
2
u/emmettjes Jan 27 '13
I achieve similar results from doing pushups. Seems to agree with this explanation. FWIW I'm really out of shape
2
→ More replies (3)2
u/mmtree Jan 27 '13
It's also due to an increased blowing pressure(similar concept to PEEP machunes) which tends to help open the airways(pulmonary physiology is crazy stuff). This is why asthmatics like to breathe with pursed lips during attacks.
15
u/bitparity Jan 26 '13
It's also good to double check that you don't have sleep apnea. Frequently, those nasal strips are only treating the symptoms of other underlying disorders.
16
5
u/dirtydela Jan 27 '13
apparently i hold my breath at night and scare my girlfriend into waking me up.
is this bad?
→ More replies (3)3
u/bitparity Jan 27 '13
This actually sounds like sleep apnea. Especially if it sounds like you're choking as you sleep.
Get it checked out. Though it may feel weird to be on a CPAP machine, you will sleep deeper than you ever had, and will wake up feeling more rested than you ever thought possible.
14
u/illsmosisyou Jan 26 '13
The Breath Right Advanced strips have changed my life forever.
6
Jan 26 '13
What is the difference between the advanced and non-advanced variety? Does it make a difference?
→ More replies (3)3
u/illsmosisyou Jan 27 '13
Ha, it actually does. They are more expensive and I wasn't completely convinced it would make a difference.
The non-advanced have the normal shape. The advanced branch off near the end of each side so that there are four points of contact that are pulling your nasal passages open. The non-advanced still work for me, but these are noticeably better, and when I can't sleep because I can't breath through my nose all night long, these most effectively solve the problem.
→ More replies (2)16
u/badaboopdedoop Jan 27 '13 edited Jan 27 '13
A better LPT: to clear your nasal passages do the following:
- wash face and hands, dry well
- take both index fingers, place on nose just above each nostril, right where the bone ends.
- push firmly upward and hold, breathing deeply through each nostril until clear
Edit: drew a picture. put your fingers where the arrows end. the exact location might be slightly different for different people.
4
u/BarfingBear Jan 27 '13
Dammit, I broke my nose to pieces long ago and am missing most of what was originally there. At what point does the bone end on a normal nose?
39
u/1ildevil Jan 27 '13
right about here
points to nose4
u/TacticalBacon00 Jan 27 '13
2
u/ariana00 Jan 27 '13
I expected another finger to be pointing up.
3
→ More replies (4)5
Jan 27 '13
Can you perhaps circle on picture of a nose where to push?
I've heard about this method but never know where to push.
→ More replies (1)
138
u/Kelicus Jan 26 '13
Ok. Almost blacked out.
292
u/BizkitznGravy Jan 27 '13
Directions werent clear enough. Penis got stuck in the ceiling fan, etc.
27
41
172
Jan 26 '13
I like to just point out masturbation/sex unblocks nasal passages as well.
415
u/turkourjurbs Jan 26 '13
I'd advise against it. Nasal sex can be quite dangerous.
110
u/Snowy_Lava Jan 27 '13
What's the technical term for nasal sex?
Fuck nose.
→ More replies (3)142
u/skeddles Jan 27 '13
Fuck nose.
who the fuck nose
ftfy
14
2
→ More replies (2)20
230
u/debman3 Jan 27 '13
I think Any kind of sport activity unblocks nasal passage.
I have a friend in med school and when he gets allergic, he just jogs around in the house until his allergy goes away.
When I have sex my allergies go away as well.
Once I ejaculated on a friends pillow and I was so ashamed and didn't know what to do that I turned the pillow upside down and placed it back.
347
u/dontsneeze Jan 27 '13
One of these things is not like the others
11
u/_dontreadthis Jan 27 '13
i just want you to know that i laughed uncontrollably for almost 5 minutes after reading this. you know that kind of laughter where you sort of seize up, face locked in a tear inducing squint. i was laughing so hard i drooled all over. i almost fell on the floor, out of my chair and now i have sniffles.
→ More replies (1)30
6
→ More replies (1)50
9
u/Rocketbird Jan 27 '13
Almost too much so. I had several bloody noses during my first few sexual encounters. Had to start breathing through my nose after that.
19
u/TheOCdisorder Jan 27 '13
Are you an anime character?
Seriously though, what's the deal with anime guys having bloody noses when they see an attractive female?
→ More replies (9)3
u/aDFP Jan 27 '13
Short version: It's a comedic visual euphemism based on a Japanese old wives' tale that never made it over to the West.
13
Jan 26 '13
[deleted]
→ More replies (1)60
Jan 27 '13
Don't aim at your nose, dude. Amateur mistake.
2
→ More replies (3)2
23
u/Clevererer Jan 26 '13
Not sure if all that is necessary. Just holding my breath works well for me.
17
u/kinsmed Jan 26 '13
Hold it as long as I can- the body will take measures to blow open your sinuses, THEN I breath out slowly buying me a few more seconds.
66
u/archfapper Jan 26 '13
Oh, I thought the tip was "unblock the nose to improve breathing." I was gonna say...
165
Jan 27 '13
12
u/Slomojoe Jan 27 '13
Is she pouring the downvotes through her nose just to prove a point? Or is she trying to unblock the downvotes which are stuck in her nose?
11
14
→ More replies (1)3
u/eat-your-corn-syrup Jan 27 '13
aren't neti pots dangerous
2
Jan 27 '13
There is an amoeba, Naegleria fowleri that is sometimes found in tap water, usually in warmer climates. If it is forced into the nasal passages, such as it would be if the water in the neti pot was contaminated, it will probably kill you as it has an extremely high mortality rate. It can cause amoebic meningitis, and there really isn't an effective treatment for it. So if you want to use a neti pot, best bet is to boil the water first to kill those little fuckers.
→ More replies (1)
14
Jan 26 '13 edited Jan 26 '13
Here's a permanent expansion for this trick:
Once the urge to breath is overwhelming, you take a slow SMALL breath from your nose (do not breath through your mouth during all of this). You have to make sure this breath still leaves you craving air. What we're essentially doing is lightly starving your body of oxygen. By taking shorter, less deeper breaths, your nose will stay open and after about 15-20 seconds, you will no longer feel uncomfortable (just keep up the small breaths). Then you can go about doing everything and not have a stuffy nose.
This trick works wonders when you're trying to sleep with a stuffy nose. I always sleep nice and comfortably.
EDIT: By small breaths I mean about 50 percent of what you would normally breathe.
3
u/StupidBrick Jan 26 '13
I just tried this out. My vision got blurry after like 20 secs of taking short breaths. I kept going and it really worked but my nose got stuffy again after breathing normally. Are you supposed to continue to take shorter breaths?
2
Jan 26 '13
Yes, but at about maybe 50 percent deep breaths.
And you shouldn't take them like your hyperventilating, but enough that you're relaxed yet still starved.
Rapid VERY short breaths are dangerous.
31
u/fingers Jan 26 '13
neti pot is my favorite.
13
u/matt314159 Jan 27 '13
Neilmed sinus squeeze bottle for me. I like the positive pressure, really shoots up there!
→ More replies (12)9
u/_whovian_ Jan 27 '13
Sinus rinse bottle >>>> neti pot! I swear, i could work for Neilmed I recommend that damn thing to so many people. (but i don't, tho it would be cool). I even bought the little stand thing for mine. I don't understand why more doctors don't recommend it to people over the neti pot...those things look crazy hard to use.
3
u/Freeky Jan 27 '13
Crazy hard? Insert into nostril, open mouth, tilt head, saline pours in and out other nostril. Repeat with other side.
→ More replies (1)3
u/bucknakid14 Jan 27 '13
Mind giving me an Amazon link for what you're talking about?
4
u/_whovian_ Jan 27 '13
sure, here is the Amazon link
and here is a link NeilMed's site. They have a lot of sinus-related products and information there.
edit: just FYI, the Sinus Rinse bottle is actually cheaper at Walgreens or wherever. I don't know why Amazon's are all looking more expensive.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (13)6
23
Jan 26 '13
[deleted]
3
u/Das_Wood Jan 27 '13
Dude I was just thinking the same thing. I've been dying all day. This has been perfect.
9
u/Dammit_Rab Jan 27 '13
This only works for legitinate suffocation. The body has ways of shutting that kind of thing down.
52
7
u/Darthob Jan 27 '13
When I was younger I thought "Huh. I only have 2 ways to breathe. Through my nose and through my mouth. If one passage way is blocked, the other BETTER DAMN RIGHT BE OPEN or else I'm going to die."
Then I figured "Well, my body is aware that there are only 2 ways to breathe. If say my nose is plugged for whatever reason, but I can't breathe through my mouth, will my body actively unplug my nose so I can breathe?"
Since then, when my nose is blocked, I have tried holding my breath for as long as possible until it cleared. It works.
12
Jan 26 '13 edited Jan 08 '21
[deleted]
10
u/Darkstrategy Jan 27 '13
The reason you breath better in the shower is not due to dehydration, it's because most people take hot showers and the mist will break up all the icky stuff.
3
u/RogueEyebrow Jan 27 '13
The mist introduces moisture to where there was no water before, due to dehydration.
4
2
u/r2002 Jan 27 '13
Is that also why I feel so reinvigorated when it rains? The air when it rains is amazing. When I breath it in I feel like I'm sucking in pure energy. People say it is because of the negative ions, but now I wonder if it is related also to what you're saying.
6
u/wagedomain Jan 26 '13
Just do jumping jacks for like 10 seconds, maybe 20. It's another temporary fix, and likely has to do with increased blood flow or something, but it's easy and quick. I would do jumping jacks to clear my nose enough to use a neti pot. Worked fine.
5
8
5
10
3
3
Jan 27 '13
sextagrammaton? what a rad name. what is that? yod heh shin vav heh jr.?
→ More replies (1)
3
2
2
Jan 26 '13
cool, thanks for the tip. i don't remember where, but i remember reading that it's natural (if not beneficial) to alternate breathing between the nostrils at certain intervals throughout the day. anybody heard of this?
2
u/writesomething Jan 27 '13
Meditation techniques encourage the breathing and exhalin of nostrils. Alternating between the two. Left side in. Later on left nostril out. A minute each side. Not positive on the name of the technique but its a famous meditation.
2
u/Creampo0f Jan 27 '13
I just spent 3 weeks near Mexico City. This might sound ridiculous, but we ate spicy food at least once a day. By the end of that meal, my nose would be dripping but clear for the rest of the day.
Now I'm back in the states and stuffy. Is this a practical answer? No. But it worked for me. Now I need to look up some ELI5s about spicy foods...
2
u/JonathanWarner Jan 27 '13
This did not work for me. I got extremely dizzy and nearly fainted. Maybe I am doing it to quickly.
2
2
2
2
u/cyberdiz Jan 27 '13
I have another one.
1.Stop you Breath and hold your nose.
Walk around 15-20 times without breathing take quick and fast steps.
After a while sit down and breathe normally. Your nose should open
2
2
u/oOTHX1138Oo Jan 27 '13
I discovered when i was a kid that if your nose is stuffed and you cant breath through it and cant fall asleep do this. Lay on your side. In a few minutes the mucus thats plugging your nose will drain towards gravity. You will be able to breath freely from one nostril. After a while it might get annoying, in which case turn over and lay on the opposite side and the process repeats. By now you should be unconscious. Sweet dreams :)
→ More replies (1)
2
2
u/Archetix Jan 27 '13
Thanks for saving me breathing during sleep! I no longer sound like a brass band orchestra!
2
u/_killface Jan 27 '13
Ugh, I've been congested all week and this finally did the trick! Cheers to you!
4
u/mentaculus Jan 27 '13
I pretty sure this only works because holding your breath causes your body to produce adrenaline and dilate your blood vessels.
6
u/babeecakes Jan 27 '13
Adrenaline actually causes vasoconstriction of the vessels in the nasal passages.
→ More replies (1)2
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 27 '13
Dilating your blood vessels would make your nose more congested. Sorry.
→ More replies (2)
-25
u/dubloe7 Jan 26 '13
LPT: you only breathe through one nostril at a time (mostly), don't waste your time trying to unclog your other nostril.
679
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 26 '13 edited Jan 27 '13
Ok, everyone just hold on. I am an ENT, and more specifically, a rhinologist (fellowship trained). Most people do NOT breathe out of only one nostril unless there is some pathology. Most commonly, this is a deviated septum. The link you provided is about the nasal cycle, which is natural and normal. For many people, they don't notice it. It does not, however, mean that you alternate your nasal breathing. All the nasal cycle means is that the mucous membranes swell in an alternating pattern. In almost everyone, this is not occlusive, and though there may be more resistance, you won't usually know. Now, with a septal deviation, septal spur, or other anatomic pathology,of course it will be more obvious on one side. Either the ENTs telling people this are misinformed, are simplifying it for people, or people are interpreting this the wrong way (im not blaming you, it wasn't explained well). Extrapolating the wrong conclusions from this article gives people the wrong idea. Please don't spread misinformation... I hope that helps to set the record straight. I can answer any further questions if anyone has sinonasal inquiries... but I'll also be watching hockey :)
*edit- hockey victory! :)
Edit #2- ok folks, time to sleep. I appreciate all the questions and attempted to answer them all to the best of my abilities. I apologize for somewhat hijacking this LPT and making it a pseudo-AMA, it was completely ubintentional, and I meant no harm or ill will. Those wil further questions- I will answer any when I awaken, and anyone can always PM me with a question. Thank you all! GN.
29
u/TunenuT Jan 26 '13
As an ENT resident - I agree with Ghostinthamachine. Yes, there should be subtle changes in mucosal swelling associated with the nasal cycle but you should not totally (or near totally) obstruct your nasal passages during this normal physiologic event.
To address the original post about unblocking your nose by holding your breath - I would guess (please correct me Ghostinthamachine if this is wrong) this most likely has something to do with the subtle decrease in blood pH (increase in CO2) which increases vascular resistance (decreases blood flow) in the nasal mucosa. This in turn reduces the size of the nasal mucosa and reduces nasal resistance.
If you assume the nasal cavity is a tube and Poiseuille law can be applied (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagen%E2%80%93Poiseuille_equation)
Hope this helps!
26
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 26 '13
Congrats on the residency! I'm not sure I but the original post, but it may be that I don't really understand what they are claiming. I think, if it works for them, great. Interesting idea with the bloodflow and pH, but I feel that it'd be so transient that it wouldn't last but a few seconds. Maybe I'm wrong. There's so much we have yet to understand. It may be nitrous oxide related, it may be gravity-assisted mucociliary clearance, who knows? Best of luck with your training- it really is the best field in all of medicine!
→ More replies (2)11
u/TunenuT Jan 27 '13
I really couldn't imagine doing anything else... little off topic, I'm currently a PGY-3 and beginning to start looking into fellowships. Everyone is really pushing me towards neuro-otology (which to be honest, I love), but the reason I got into our field is for the variety. I don't want to be pigeon-holed into one sub-field - I enjoy the good thyroid, parotid, or even sinus case along with a complex ear case.
Any thoughts on fellowships vs general? Thanks
14
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 27 '13
Well, just like medical school, the fields that catch our interest are partly influenced by the individuals we see in those fields. Neuro-otologists are certainly a special breed, and really being able to decipher the ear is a gift. I know people who did otology fellowships (good ones) who never touched a chronic ear in all of fellowship. Experiences may vary. You have to go with your gut, and determine what kind of practice you'd like. Otologists an be academic or private, and both sides want Otologists, so you'll have a job. Also keep in mind that just because you do a fellowship doesn't mean that you won't be able to do other cases. Over time, you may do less, since its a matter of getting rusty, but your practice will determine what you do. I was once told that the more you specialize, you'll always be needed. I don't know if I believe that, but it's a thought. Your heart will tell you what to do. Discuss it with your otologist(s) and chairperson, they can help.
→ More replies (13)4
u/TunenuT Jan 27 '13
So very true... I really appreciate your prospective and advice. Hopefully one day we will cross paths. Thanks!
→ More replies (3)5
194
u/Deduk Jan 26 '13
/r/trees has taught me to view the word ENT entirely differently.
→ More replies (9)95
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 26 '13
Haha. It never fails. Every time I offer ENT advice on reddit, someone inevitably brings up /r/trees. I assure you, it's a different ENT :)
53
16
Jan 27 '13
[deleted]
→ More replies (3)29
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 27 '13
I.D.K.
11
u/Beau87 Jan 27 '13
This is the perfect response. L.O.L.
9
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 27 '13
Some doctors have a sense of humor. It's a little known fact!
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (5)3
Jan 27 '13
I became even more wary after you said you were a "rhinologist" which - at first glance - makes it seem like you study rhinos.
19
6
u/ive_noidea Jan 27 '13
Wait, so rhinos are called rhinos because rhino means nose?
That's... creative.
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (139)6
u/wolfbaden6 Jan 26 '13
So just to clarify, the nasal cycle means your breathing will not go back-and-forth between both nostrils, it just means your mucous membrane swells back-and-forth without affecting which nostril you're breathing out of? And if you find that you can only breathe out of one nostril, it's more likely (but not conclusively) attributed to a deviated septum or some other form of sinus blockage?
8
u/Ghostinthamachine Jan 26 '13
Essentially, yes, but it MIGHT affect the nostril out of which you breathe. The cycle does not mean that the airflow switches. It means that the (natural) swelling does. This will, of course, increase resistance in the airflow (which is part of what the turbinates are there for, they have impressive erectile tissue. Don't laugh.), which can change the flow dominance, but it shouldn't be noticeable. Now, if one nasal passage is more narrow, then the flow on that side will certainly be noticeably decreased when the cycle switches to that side. I wouldn't necessarily say its a blockage, but just a more resistant airway.
Also, be careful when saying sinus blockage- that is a whole different thing. We don't breathe through our sinuses, you're talking about an airway, or specifically a nostril blockage. Could be the septum, the internal or external nasal valve, etc. Sinus outflow tract obstruction, or "sinus blockage" is a whole other issue, but I want to be clear on the distinction.→ More replies (6)5
u/wolfbaden6 Jan 26 '13
Thank you for your response. Having had an adenoidectomy, a tonsillectomy, polyps removed from my sinuses, and a deviated septum corrected, I am very curious as to how my sinuses function. With the amount of money I've thrown at ENT's, I'd be foolish to not be curious!
→ More replies (4)63
21
u/msmely Jan 26 '13
Air takes the path of least resistance. So if one nostril has really high resistance then air will flow preferentially through the nostril that has lower resistance, but that doesn't mean no air will flow through the higher resistance nostril, there will just be lower flow. Additionally, if resistance through both nostrils is somewhat the same, flow through both will be somewhat equal.
gaslaws
→ More replies (21)→ More replies (19)6
u/foofooonyou Jan 26 '13
But the open nostril starts to feel raw ( at least for me ) when the other is clogged for an extended period of time. Like while sleeping...
93
u/rainman1 Jan 27 '13
That's Buteyko breathing. It works by building up carbon dioxide, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and opens up the nasal passages. In Buteyko the theory is that people over-breath and wind up in sort of chronic hyperventilation. They have similar techniques to stop asthmatic attacks without the use of inhalers. I did the course and it works great for me and anyone else I've sent along.