Why does my blocked nose switch sides?

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.

Why does my nose get stuffy when I lay on my right side?

Blood Flow Changes When you lie down, your blood pressure changes. And blood flow to the upper part of your body can increase, including the blood flow to your head and nasal passageways. This increased blood flow can inflame the vessels inside your nose and nasal passages, which can cause or worsen congestion.

Can sleeping position affect sinuses?

The best sleeping position for sinus drainage issues and other sinus problems is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and lower the likelihood of excessive blood flow that can create sinus congestion.

Can sinus pain switch sides?

Normally one side is more swollen and the other side shrunken to allow the swollen side to re-humidify itself while air flows through the shrunken side. About every two hours the swelling switches to the other side. This “nasal cycle” is usually not noticeable unless one breathes deeply through the nose.

Why is only one side of my sinus congestion?

In order to open one side of your nose and close the other, your body inflates tissue with blood in the same way that a man gets an erection, except, you know, in your nose. “Increased blood flow causes congestion in one nostril for about 3 to 6 hours before switching to the other side.

What side should I sleep on to unclog my nose?

As we sleep, mucus doesn’t drain as effectively. That makes the nose even more blocked. So, the best way to sleep with a blocked nose is to prop your head up on an extra pillow or two. Also, it’s best to sleep on your side if you can as lying on your back could make things worse.

Can you have sinusitis on one side?

There is facial or sinus tenderness, particularly if it’s worse on one side of the face. Pain is present in the upper teeth and is worse on one side of the face.

How do I get rid of congestion on one side of my nose?

Home Treatments

1. Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
2. Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water.
3. Drink lots of fluids.
4. Use a nasal saline spray.
5. Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe.
6. Place a warm, wet towel on your face.
7. Prop yourself up.
8. Avoid chlorinated pools.

Why do I get stuffy nose when I roll over at night?

The normal cycling of blood flow to the turbinates occurs at night as well. When this occurs on the same side as we are sleeping, the increased blood flow in the inferior turbinates results in stuffiness on that side. Rolling over to the opposite side temporarily relieves those symptoms.

What does it mean when your nose is blocked up?

This blockage usually refers to the nasal passages and is a common problem. Most of the time the congestion or blockage is due to excessive mucus and an accumulation of this mucus that may not drain out fast enough.

Why does one nostril get congested when lying down?

“Increased blood flow causes congestion in one nostril for about 3 to 6 hours before switching to the other side. There is also increased congestion when one is lying down, which can be especially noticeable when the head is turned to one side,” Jennifer Shu reports for CNN.

What happens to your sinuses when you turn over on Your Side?

When you turn over onto your side, however, the fluid drains entirely to one side, or, at least, as much as it can, depending on how swollen your sinuses are, and usually it drains enough so that one nostril then feels like it’s not clogged up anymore.