A runny nose is a very common symptom of a cold. But have you ever stopped to think why your nose clogs up when you have the flu? Fortunately, scientists have addressed this question in the past, so today we have access to this curiosity of the human body.
First, we can understand that a blocked or congested nose occurs when the tissues that line it become swollen. This swelling happens because of inflamed blood vessels. This can also include nasal discharge or “runny nose”.
If excess mucus runs down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), it can cause a cough or sore throat.
Why does the nose stuff up?
Many people think that the nose is congested due to excess thick mucus, but the nose only becomes stuffy when the tissues swell.
The nose can get stuffy from a cold, the flu, or even allergies. Sometimes the congestion clears up within a week, but it can be bothersome most days or during certain times of the year, especially if you’re allergic or sensitive to something like pollen, tobacco smoke, or pet dander.
The symptoms of a stuffy nose usually go away in about a week. But if it doesn’t, or you get congested at certain times of the year, a doctor can help figure out possible allergies and get the right treatment.
Why is only one nostril clogged sometimes?
One question that remains is: why does only one nostril clog up sometimes? Experts say that our bodies direct airflow more through one nostril than the other, switching between nostrils every few hours. A constant flow of air can dry out the nostrils, which damages their lining, so resting one nostril helps prevent this from happening.
What happens is, when your nose gets stuffed up during a cold or the flu, those blood vessels dilate as part of the body’s immune response, and the nose also produces more mucus. With that, the nostril that is “off” is the one that gets clogged. At the Canaltechwe also explained where the sneeze comes from.
Source: Mount Sinai, Science Focus, Cleveland Clinic