TIL: You only breath through one nostril at a time. And it switches every couple hours. 😱😮😵😳😱
The nasal cycle is a normal, involuntary process where airflow alternates between your nostrils every few hours (2-6), with one side becoming partially congested (swollen turbinates) and the other clearer, controlled by the autonomic nervous system to keep nasal passages healthy by preventing overuse and allowing rest. This rhythmic congestion is usually unnoticeable but can become apparent when sleeping on one side, leading to increased stuffiness in the lower nostril as the cycle shifts.
The nasal cycle is a normal, involuntary process where airflow alternates between your nostrils every few hours (2-6), with one side becoming partially congested (swollen turbinates) and the other clearer, controlled by the autonomic nervous system to keep nasal passages healthy by preventing overuse and allowing rest. This rhythmic congestion is usually unnoticeable but can become apparent when sleeping on one side, leading to increased stuffiness in the lower nostril as the cycle shifts.