Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 09:00:40

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 09:00:40

I either am having some allergies flare up or I have a small cold... feels like alergies to me...!  I have a stuffy nose when lying down that goes away when I sit up and move around!  a bit of a cough when reclined more then upright.. although the cough seems to be there upright also... not bad though...

So what I want to knw is what happens in the head and the sinuses and chest when one lies down...to cauause the full up congestion upon lying down on back!

Also when I turn onto my left side after a few moments it unblocks totally and stays clear untill I turn over.... now my shoulder prevents me from remaining there as the pain is overwhelming at length on the left shoulder.

So on my back it remains semi to fully blocked.. when turning to the right side  it completely  blocks up absolutely impassable till I either sit up for a while or turn back to the left side again....

Why does this happen?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 10:45:44

Not a very detailed explanation I'm afraid.

Quote

This is because lying down has a tendency to spread phlegm evenly all over your insides. This means that your nostrils get blocked quite easily and effectively when you are lying down

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/19520/stuffed-up-sinuses-symptoms-of-blocked-sinuses-sin.html

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 11:32:22

Thanks for the link!


 Thats interesting what you said about the mucous spreading out.....I am just dumb founded at how quickly the nose stuffs up when lying backwards!

Thanks for the explanation! Do you know why lying down on the left side brings relief, and the right side brings stuffiness?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 11:37:41

I have no idea. It could be just a coincidence.
Or it could be that by the time you turned onto your right the phelgm has already built up that your nose was going to get blocked anyway. Try starting next time by turning to the right, or have you already done that? [:)]

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 12:04:11

Yep I tried that! [;)]

 it always helps...If I am erribly sick it helps but does'nt aleiviate it..only helps. allergies or mild cold it will unstuff it totally..I wondered if one of your bronchial tubes and sinuses could be different so they behave differently or perhaps its an adnoid thing or something?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 12:11:30

Are you saying that one of your bronchial tubes has a larger lumen than the other?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 12:34:10

Quote from: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 12:11:30

Are you saying that one of your bronchial tubes has a larger lumen than the other?

I am saying that I do not know what a lumen is...but am wondering if some irregularity in the bronchial tubes might work differently when lying on the right or left side ...perhaps clearing a nose on the left or stuffing it up to the right!

Are both tubes the same length or is one shorter then the other causing phlegm to move slower to the left and perhaps faster to the right?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 12:38:39

Is a lumen Part of the lower lobes of the lungs?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 12:42:49

No, it is the 'hole' where air can pass through. A lumen is the space inside any tubular structure in the body.

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 12:54:16

Thanks C4M...I did not know that!

Now that you told me that...Is that possible...?

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 15/05/2009 14:25:57

Well I suppose one side could be more flared up than the other.

Title: Why does reclining while congested just totally block up ones sinuses?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/05/2009 18:47:52

 thats interesting...I was thinking maybe there was perhaps a more physical reason for lying on the left which could clear your nostrils..I know hanging my head over the bed in a down position also helps it to drain and clear.