Why Does Your Nose Get Stuffy One Nostril At A Time?

00:03:37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDhzxUznskA

Summary

TLDRBen Bowlin forklarer fænomenet med næseoverbelastning, især hvordan den ene næsebor kan føles mere tilstoppet end den anden. Dette er en normal forekomst på grund af næsecirkulationen, hvor næseborene skifter mellem overbelastning for at forbedre lugtesansen og opretholde næsesundhed. Processen styres af det autonome nervesystem og involverer engorgement og dekoncentration af turbinater i næsehulen. Bowlin beroliger, at en tilstoppet næsebor ikke er en grund til bekymring, især under bihuleproblemer, da det indikerer en sund næsecirkulation.

Takeaways

  • 👃 Næseoverbelastning i ét næsebor er normalt.
  • 🔄 Næsecirkulation skifter belastningen mellem næseborene.
  • 🛠️ Dette forbedrer lugtesansen.
  • 💧 Næsecirkulation forhindrer tørhed i næsehulen.
  • 🩺 Det styres af det autonome nervesystem.
  • 🔍 Forskellige lugtmolekyler kræver forskellige luftstrømme.
  • ⏳ Næseborene skifter flere gange om dagen.
  • 🩹 Turbinater svulmer op og dekoncentreres.
  • 😌 En tilstoppet næsebor er ikke bekymrende.
  • 📚 'Stuffy nostril' er et videnskabeligt udtryk.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:03:37

    Ben Bowlin introducerer emnet om, hvorfor det er normalt at have tilstoppede næsebor, og hvordan det faktisk er gavnligt for kroppen. Han forklarer, at de fleste mennesker trækker vejret mere gennem det ene næsebor end det andet, hvilket er en del af den såkaldte næsecyklus. Denne cyklus fungerer som to kolleger på en samlebånd, der skifter arbejde for at give hinanden pauser, hvilket sikrer, at vejrtrækningen forbliver uafbrudt. Bowlin beskriver, hvordan denne proces styres af det autonome nervesystem, og hvordan sinusproblemer kan påvirke denne cyklus. Han forklarer også, hvordan næsehulen og turbinaterne fungerer, og hvordan de skifter blodgennemstrømning for at regulere tilstoppelse. Endelig understreger han, at det at have et tilstoppet næsebor ikke er noget at bekymre sig om, men snarere et tegn på, at næsecyklussen fungerer korrekt.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is the nasal cycle?

    The nasal cycle is the process where one nostril alternates between being congested and decongested, allowing for improved sense of smell and maintenance of nasal health.

  • Why does one nostril feel more congested?

    This is due to the nasal cycle, where turbinates in one nostril engorge with blood while the other decongests, alternating several times a day.

  • Is it normal to have a stuffy nostril?

    Yes, it is completely normal and indicates that your body's nasal cycle is functioning properly.

  • How does the nasal cycle affect sense of smell?

    Different scent molecules are detected better in varying airflow conditions, which is influenced by which nostril is congested or decongested.

  • What are turbinates?

    Turbinates are bony projections in the nasal cavity covered by erectile tissue that help regulate airflow and humidity.

  • What happens during sinus issues?

    During sinus issues, the nasal cycle may become more noticeable, leading to a heightened awareness of congestion in one nostril.

  • How often does the nasal cycle occur?

    The nasal cycle occurs several times a day, with nostrils switching congestion patterns.

  • What is turgescence?

    Turgescence is the swelling of turbinates due to increased blood flow, leading to congestion in one nostril.

  • Can nasal cycling prevent dryness?

    Yes, alternating congestion helps prevent the insides of the nostrils from drying out.

  • Is there a scientific term for a stuffy nostril?

    Yes, the term 'stuffy nostril' is used informally to describe the sensation of nasal congestion.

View more video summaries

Get instant access to free YouTube video summaries powered by AI!
Subtitles
en
Auto Scroll:
  • 00:00:03
    Hi there, I’m Ben Bowlin.
  • 00:00:04
    Have you ever noticed that sometimes you can get stuffed up in just one nostril?
  • 00:00:09
    Well, the good news is that not only is this absolutely normal – it’s also actually
  • 00:00:15
    good for you.
  • 00:00:16
    We’ve teamed up with the makers of Sudafed to show you how and why you feel it more when
  • 00:00:21
    you’re dealing with sinus issues.
  • 00:00:23
    And here’s the kicker – this is happening all of the time.
  • 00:00:27
    If you’re like most people, you’re always breathing more heavily through one nostril
  • 00:00:31
    than the other.
  • 00:00:33
    Your nostrils also shift the workload back and forth in what’s known as the nasal cycle.
  • 00:00:39
    Think of it this way: Think of your nostrils as two coworkers at an assembly line that
  • 00:00:44
    never ever stops.
  • 00:00:46
    Every so often, one of these guys lays back to rest up.
  • 00:00:49
    It’s almost like he’s on a lunch break while his buddy fills in for him.
  • 00:00:53
    And once that break is over, they switch places, with the assembly line – your breathing
  • 00:00:57
    process – running uninterrupted the entire time.
  • 00:01:01
    This is an unconscious process governed by your autonomic nervous system, the same system
  • 00:01:05
    that controls other automated body functions, like your heart rate or your digestive process.
  • 00:01:11
    In the case of the two co-workers, however, when we are suffering from sinus issues this
  • 00:01:16
    process operates as if one of them is distracted from the assembly line by a stream of never-ending
  • 00:01:23
    text messages – you know, like so - while his partner takes lunch.
  • 00:01:27
    Let’s look at the inside of a nose to see how this works.
  • 00:01:31
    No, no, not mine – can we pull someone else’s up on the screen?
  • 00:01:36
    Perfect.
  • 00:01:37
    OK – so this is your nasal cavity, closely associated with your amazing sinus system.
  • 00:01:43
    Inside your nasal cavity there are things called conchae or turbinates.
  • 00:01:47
    These are bony projections covered by erectile tissue.
  • 00:01:51
    Turbinates on one side, or fossa, will engorge with blood in a process known as turgescence,
  • 00:01:57
    which is a fancy word for swelling.
  • 00:02:00
    Turbinates on the other side will decongest by shunting blood away.
  • 00:02:04
    A few hours later, boom: they trade places and the cycle begins anew.
  • 00:02:09
    Although you may not notice it, this nostril switcharoo happens several times a day.
  • 00:02:15
    And there are good reasons for your nostrils to share the workload.
  • 00:02:18
    First, this improves your sense of smell.
  • 00:02:21
    See, different scent molecules have differing rates of degradation, and this affects how
  • 00:02:26
    our scent receptors detect each molecule.
  • 00:02:30
    Some scent molecules are easier to detect in a fast-moving airstream – like the air
  • 00:02:35
    moving through your decongested nostril.
  • 00:02:38
    Others seem more easily detected in a slower going airstream, like in your congested nostril.
  • 00:02:44
    Second, nasal cycling is also a form of maintenance.
  • 00:02:48
    This alternating pattern of congestion gives each nostril a break from the constant exposure
  • 00:02:53
    to outside air, and it also prevents the insides of your nostrils from drying out.
  • 00:02:59
    So voila, there we have it!
  • 00:03:01
    One stuffy nostril isn’t anything to worry about – in fact, it’s a sign that your
  • 00:03:06
    body’s nasal cycle is in tip top shape.
  • 00:03:09
    We just tend to notice this congestion more when we are dealing with sinus issues, because
  • 00:03:13
    the stuffy nostril feels, well, extra stuffy.
  • 00:03:17
    That's a scientific term for you.
  • 00:03:19
    If you’re like me, this subject probably makes you hyper aware of your nose: in fact,
  • 00:03:25
    you can probably feel one nostril more congested than the other right now.
  • 00:03:30
    Right?
Tags
  • Nasal Cycle
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Turbinates
  • Sense of Smell
  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Sinus Issues
  • Nasal Health
  • Breathing
  • Nasal Maintenance
  • Turgescence