how come if your left nose is plugged and you turn to lay on your right side your left nose unplugs? (and vice versa)

Question

Edit: y’all, didn’t you know we have two noses and one nostril sheesh 🤧

In: Biology

Answer 1

Your nose has a rhythm where it engorges one side with blood, restricting airflow, while the other breathes clearly. If everything is going well, it switches back and forth over time without you noticing.

But, if something aggravates your nasal passages (say, a cold or allergies) then there will inflammation and one or both nasal passages will become extra engorged and you will notice that one passage is more blocked than usual.

When you lay down on one side, gravity pulls the blood to the down side, so the upper passage feels clear while the lower feels blocked from engorgement.