I believe that everyone has experienced the pain of nasal congestion. Sometimes it is blocked while ventilating, and sometimes it is blocked on both sides, but generally the former accounts for more. So why is this?
To answer this question, we must first understand the working mechanism of the nose. In fact, our nostrils work in turn. More specifically, it is the physiological mechanism that the system allows the two nostrils to take turns to rest by adjusting the ventilation of the two nostrils. For example, if the left nose is slightly increased, the ventilation of the left nasal passage will decrease. At this time, the left nostril is equivalent to a rest state, while the right nostril undertakes the main breathing task. On the contrary, when the right turbinate is slightly enlarged, the ventilation of the right nasal passage will decrease, and the left nostril will undertake the main breathing task.
You can also imagine two nostrils as two colleagues taking turns on duty. When A is on duty, B will rest, and when B is on duty, A will rest. The rest side only slightly reduced the ventilation, and did not completely stop the ventilation, so in the case of healthy nasal mucosa, we can hardly notice the reduction of ventilation in the rest side nostril. It is also very simple to detect. You can put a piece of glass or mirror under your nostrils and exhale. Which side has a water mist area, which indicates which nostril is at rest.
Well, knowing the working mechanism of the nose can explain the problem of stuffy nostrils. When we catch a cold, the nasal mucosa may become inflamed due to the body's immune response, thus causing congestion and swelling. You should know that the nostrils belong to the meridian mucosa, and swelling means forced contraction. Therefore, if the congested and swollen nasal mucosa happens to meet the increase of turbinate measured at rest, combined with runny nose, the ventilation of nostrils will be greatly reduced. At this time, people will feel that one nostril is blocked. On the contrary, when the nasal circulation rotates, the feeling of blockage will become another nostril.
Someone may ask me, obviously there are two nostrils, can't you control both nostrils to work at the same time? First of all, the nasal cycle is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, so our subjective consciousness cannot be controlled. Secondly, there is no clear explanation why the system does not control two nostrils to work at the same time. However, some researchers believe that this design is to protect our nasal cavity, because our nasal cavity skin is very delicate and most afraid of dryness, and alternating work of the two nasal cavities can give the nasal cavity time to restore wetness. Secondly, the absorption rate of odor molecules is different. Some smells need to be detected in fast-moving air, while others need to be detected in slow-moving air.
Therefore, nasal circulation can help us smell more smells. In a word, existence is reasonable. Sometimes circulation does bring us disadvantages, but more importantly, it helps us, doesn't it?