One nostril blocked

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Hello - I notice in the morning sometimes that one nostril is blocked (could be either side). I don't know at what point it gets blocked. Is this a problem? Am I making too much effort to breathe out of just one nostril with mask on? Should I worry about this or ignore it? Thanks!

[davelikesbeer]

Hello - I notice in the morning sometimes that one nostril is blocked (could be either side). I don't know at what point it gets blocked. Is this a problem? Am I making too much effort to breathe out of just one nostril with mask on? Should I worry about this or ignore it? Thanks!

It's normal for one nostril to be clearer than the other, alternating between the two. This is called the nasal cycle. However, your nostril probably should not be completely closed. I've noticed in the last couple of weeks, I've been getting a clogged nostril. I resolve this with Afrin.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Thanks for replying. It's not completely blocked, i.e. I can get a tiny bit of air in if I inhale strongly from it. A few minutes after I'm awake, both nostrils are clear. I'd rather avoid taking more meds if I can.

[rested gal]

Dave's right.

In bed I've noticed that almost always one nostril or the other is stopped up, sometimes completely. It varies during the night as to which one is stuffy. I've had no problem getting perfectly good "cpap" treatment like that. As long as one nostril or the other "works", cpap works, too.

Here was some info I found several years ago with a Google search for "one nostril or the other blocked":

http://ask.metafilter.com/18321/Blocked ... n-one-side
One of the posters in that thread wrote:

I've been in for similar allergy/ENT problems and I was told that the nose naturally switches unblocked/blocked nostrils like that.

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The link to the following no longer works, but here's an excerpt from an article on WebMD -- "Nasal Obstruction" By Deborah Rosin, MD:

Normal Nasal Blockage: The Nasal Cycle

You may notice one side of your nose feeling blocked, and sometime later feel that the other side is clogged. Many people notice this at night when lying in bed, since they have to alternate sides they sleep on to be able to breathe comfortably. This is what is termed the "nasal cycle," which is the normal cycle of congestion (swelling) and decongestion (shrinkage) in the nose. The nasal cycle causes swelling and then shrinkage of the linings of each side of the nose. The blood vessels inside the lining of the nose become engorged in a cyclic fashion, which leads to this swelling and shrinkage.

This cycle varies from person to person but normally takes one to four hours.

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The link to an urbansemiotic.com forum doesn't work either...again, an excerpt:

Dr. David Boles posted:

By: David W. Boles
Yes, it's normal, Michael. During the day, when you are unaware and not doing heavy running or other imperative breathing, your nostrils naturally open and close so only one is doing the major duty of the day.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Thanks rested gal. I actually had a septoplasty when I was 15. Maybe it's 'come back' a bit? Anyway, the cycle thing sounds viable. As long cpap still works on one nostril and I'm not straining too hard to breathe from one side.

I see that you joined the community in 2004. I've only been on cpap for a few days now. May I ask when you started feeling 'rested' as your nick says? Thanks.

[rested gal]

May I ask when you started feeling 'rested' as your nick says? Thanks.

I was lucky. That happened the next morning after my first night on CPAP. Having very mild OSA and no health problems helped, I'm sure.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Nice!

[yrnkrn]

I also experience one nostril blocked when lying down and after sleep. The blockage is much worse lying down than standing up.
While this is considered normal, I did find out that using nasal steroids spray (either fluticasone furoate or Mometasone furoate) before sleep, both nostrils are kept open until morning and I clearly sleep better. I do not understand this as I can easily breath through one nostril even when the other is blocked. I also had septoplasty about 15 years ago.

I wonder if this is some kind of steroid effect rather than keeping nostril open effect and will undergo various hormone blood tests next week.

[LaurieP]

I posted about this also today....reading everyone's replies for help!! I also wanted to make sure that I was getting effective treatment still and it sounds like you do so won't worry too much. Just haven't felt as good in the AM as before though.

Thanks!!!

[davelikesbeer]

I also experience one nostril blocked when lying down and after sleep. The blockage is much worse lying down than standing up.
While this is considered normal, I did find out that using nasal steroids spray (either fluticasone furoate or Mometasone furoate) before sleep, both nostrils are kept open until morning and I clearly sleep better. I do not understand this as I can easily breath through one nostril even when the other is blocked. I also had septoplasty about 15 years ago.

I wonder if this is some kind of steroid effect rather than keeping nostril open effect and will undergo various hormone blood tests next week.

Before I started using Afrin, I think knowing one nostril was blocked kept me thinking about it, thus making it more difficult to sleep. Also, the sound of an entire breath being sucked through one nasal pillow kind of bothered me as well. I definitely started sleeping better after using Afrin. But it could all just be in my head.

[yrnkrn]

Before I started using Afrin, I think knowing one nostril was blocked kept me thinking about it, thus making it more difficult to sleep. Also, the sound of an entire breath being sucked through one nasal pillow kind of bothered me as well. I definitely started sleeping better after using Afrin. But it could all just be in my head.

Placebo effect is a possiblity. If you believe you'll sleep better you will sleep better. However I wasn't thinking much about the spray. I had used it previous years before using CPAP. I hadn't been using the spray for quite long and I started to use it few weeks ago as an experiment. I believed it was no longer needed since I now use CPAP and one nostril is enough to breath. That's why I was actually surprised to get up in the morning up earlier than usual and feeling better.
I am now off the spray because it may change the blood test results and indeed sleeping worse. All of this is no sci. proof of course but good enough for me.

In contrast other stuff I tried failed to achieve any good effects. Examples: raising bed to 5% and 10% angles, not eating six hours before bedtime, large meal before bedtime, room ventilation to keep CO2 low, first gen. antihistamine, melatonin, physical exercise before bedtime, no sugar, more sugar,...

[AmIawake]

I'm having an issue with one nostril. I'm thinking the polyp on that side is a little too large. If it's not open, I use a little bit of Afrin to open it. I will give it some time though before I see a doctor about it.

[archangle]

Sometimes, if you lay on your left side, the right nostril will unplug. And vice versa. If I lay on one side, adjust my position, get things just right, it will unblock my nose on the uphill side. I also find sleeping in the recliner helps.

I think it also has to do with pressure on certain parts of the face. I sometimes tinker with my pillow or put my hand under the right part of my face and it seems to speed the process up. My nostril will get a bit of a tingling or burning feeling and then it will unblock. However, the downhill nostril sometimes decides it's time for it to plug up.

[ems]

I've been taking Zyrtec before bed, and it helps a lot.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

When I first got my CPAP I had a bit of a cold so the doctor prescribed something like Afrin but I stopped it after a couple of days. I'm already on a few regular meds (BP + cholestorol) and would like to avoid be on more.