How come I can only breathe out of one nostril and not two? Is this normal?
112495
I wouldnt say its "normal", but you prolly wont die ;-) you might have a blockage. have you been sick reciently or had a sinus infection? Has it been like that for a long time or did it just start. Is it only at night (or when you are laying down)? You really need to go to the Dr. and have it checked out.
104661
Hi!! I can MORE than adequately answer your question.\nI have been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 13 years. There are several reasons why people snore. \n\nOne of these reasons is because you may have what is known as a deviated nasal septum, which can sometimes be severe enough to require nose surgery to correct this problem. You can test yourself for this at home.\n\nPlug ONE of your nostrils, and try to breath in and out through the open nostril. Do this with BOTH nostrils. This will rule out a deviated nasal septum. \n\nYou may very likely have what is known as SLEEP APNEA!! I've worked with many patients who Literally STOP BREATHING for a certain amount of time, (usually just seconds,) intermitantly during sleep!! You may stop breathing for a few seconds, then silence, then suddenly your body will react buy a GASPING for air kind of noise. This is not just snoring, this is a REAL PROBLEM, depending on how LONG you stop breathing.\n\nThis APNEA can be caused by an Obstruction withing the nasal area, such as a deviated nasal septum. It can also be caused by obesity, or it can be inherited. \n\nYou need to go see either a LUNG Doctor, (Pulmonologist,) or and Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, and get x-rays to determine if you have an anatomical problem blocking your airway during sleep. You may also notice that you will wake up with HEADACHES alot in the morning, even Migraines!! Thise is caused by a Lack of Oxygen to the brain, caused by just a FEW SECONDS of NOT BREATHING!! \n\nGet it checked out, but be careful NOT to hurry into Surgery, alot of times nasal surgeries will help the problem for a WHILE, but it is usually not permanent.\n\nIF you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, your Doctor may want you to wear a type of "mask", nasal inserts, (not permanent,) or a device that actually goes into your mouth to keep your tongue from rolling back and blocking your airway better. NO..........PEOPLE CANNOT SWALLOW THIER TONGUES!!! But the tongue can roll back and block your airway.\n\nAnother option I just learned about last year is that you can go to a VERY GOOD orthodontist who specializes in making a MOLD to fit inside your mouth at night, it is designed to lift your jaw up and out a bit, (it isn't uncomfortable,) and this position ALONE will ultimately keep your airway open, without having having to deal with a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are used with the items I mentioned above, and is either a constant flow of Positive Airway pressure to keep your airway open AND helps to expand smaller airways deeper inside the lungs and keep them OPEN the whole time you are sleeping!! \n\nMake sure to get this checked out asap, because every second you do not breath at night, you wouldn't believe how many brain cells are killed because of not getting enough oxgyen. \n\nYOu can also try sleeping on your side, either side, this helps to keep the tongue out of the way as well.\n\nCall you family Doctor and discuss how you feel. If you do not have a significant other that sleeps next to you, you can tape yourself while you sleep to see if you DO stop breathing. \n\nBut don't wait...............go see your family doctor NOW anyway. Snoring is not normal, and usually needs to be treated in some way. Okay???\n\nPromise you will make an appointment to see your doctor!!!!!\nIf you are a smoker, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!! \n\nI hope this helps you out!! \n\nTake care, and God Bless.\n\nStefanie
55234
I pinch my nostrils closed, with my mouth closed of course, and try to exhale through my nose. Not hard though, not like you're trying to blow your nose.
828559
It sounds like Impetigo-a bacterial skin infection from the irritation of the runny nose.  Put some neosporin on it 2 or 3 times a day.  Don't pick at it.  Wash your hands after blowing your nose.  If it does not get better-you will need an antibiotic.
405662
Don't worry about it, it's completely normal. It's all part of growing up. Mines been like that since i was fifteen and i'm 74 now. though my dog has no nose
342397
You are surely allergic to it. I have the same problem. I suggest for you to go to a doctor. I went to the doctor and he told me I was just mildly allergic to it because if I was really allergic my throat would close up, and if I did not get help right away I would not be able to breathe. Good luck and I found out I had other allergies too so you could ask your doctor! hope you feel better!!!!
1173287
Talk to a doctor.Your nose is probably ok!
179091
I have heard of people living off of one lung, but your best bet would be to talk to the doctor at the hospital. He/She im sure would be more then glad to tell you everything you need to know... Hope he gets well soon!
490388
You should really say 'You lose or you lost your SENSE of smell'. Otherwise it sounds like you were smelly and now you're not!\n\nTry something  for nasal congestion or sinus. There are different tablets available (e.g. sinutab) but the most effective is a nasal spray that you put up a nostril, then squeeze it and sniff at the same time, Is is very good . You might not think you have a sinus or congestion problem but you could well have a build up of catarrah or mucus which is hindering your sense of smell.\nGood luck\nLisa x
1003908
my nose, when I sneeze
187512
The reason you have a running nose is because your nose is going through a stage where you just have to let it be on its own. Mines run all the time and sometimes I fon't even have a cold. So don't worry about it.
549674
I once heard that we breathe more into one nostril. So with each breath you take into your dominate nostril compared to the other it would have to be more lubricated giving you more"boogers"
580243
breathe through your nose. don't open too wide
927021
i am a respiratory therapist and also have sleep apnea..there is an alternative to your mask if your having problem getting use to it as i did...its called a cannula..it is two little prongs that fit in you nose..they are very soft and much more comfortable then a mask. please please inquire about these...they are a 100% more comfortable then your mask..\ngood luck and keep trying it takes several weeks to get use to the cpap but you'll feel so much better when you start getting the correct amount of sleep...
84108
It depends on whether it is always the same side or if it alternates sides.\n\nThe responder above who heard that the nostrils take turns deciding who's going to suck the air in is absolutely correct.  There is such a phenomenon as the nasal cycle, during which one side of the nose blocks itself off so it can clean itself up while the other side does all the work.  It happens constantly (they switch sides once every 4-8 hours), but most people never notice it.\n\nNow, if one side of your nose is always blocked, it COULD be sinusitis, but it's not likely.  More likely, you have either a septum (the bone in the middle of your nose) that's deviated to that side, or one of your turbinates (bones on the side of your nose that help clean the air) that's a little enlarged.  These can be treated medically or, failing that, surgically.\n\nGood luck!
201609
maybe try saline mist? give a good spray in nostril, then gently blow nose
647162
BreathRight works for me.  I tried paper clips, straws, nothing worked. Then it dawned on me...outside of the nose no inside. \n\nPeople try this and ask me, "Do you realize how well this works?"\n\nI say, "Of course I do, I invented them"