question: Why do our noses get clogged and why is it so difficult to unclog them?
comment: I’m not sure why they get clogged in general but I did read on ELI5 once that one nostril is always more clogged than the other because of the ‘contact time’ for smells. Some smells need to be in the nose longer to fully register and are slowed down by the mucus for that to happen! Thought it was pretty interesting.
passages: Section::::Humans.
   Section::::Limitations with nasal systemic drug delivery.
   For patients who desire definitive close, surgery is the only option. Prior to determining candidacy for surgical closure, the etiology of the perforation must be determined. Often this requires a biopsy of the perforation to rule out autoimmune causes. If a known cause such as cocaine is the offending agent, it must be ensured that the patient is not still using the irritant.
   Section::::Other animals.
   Section::::Routes of Administration.:Nasal.
   Sinus infections are treated by prolonged courses of antibiotics. The development of nasal polyps or other chronic changes within the nasal passages may severely limit airflow through the nose, and over time reduce the person's sense of smell. Sinus surgery is often used to alleviate nasal obstruction and to limit further infections. Nasal steroids such as fluticasone propionate are used to decrease nasal inflammation.
   Section::::Origins.
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   Often surgery is required to remove nasal polyps, although they typically recur, particularly if aspirin desensitization is not undertaken. 90% of patients have been shown to have recurrence of nasal polyps within five years after surgery, with 47% requiring revision surgery in the same time period. A complete endoscopic sinus surgery followed by aspirin desensitization has been shown to reduce the need for revision surgeries.
  
  Section::::Treatment.:Diet.
   It is unlikely for the operation area to get infected. In this situation failure in aseptic techniques or necrosis of the lining are the main causes. Early discovery of infection is very important so complete debridement can take place before underlying cartilage is exposed. Chronically infected cartilage is cured by reelevating the flap and excising the infected parts.
  
  Section::::Complications.:Recurrence/ inadequate initial reconstruction.
   Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. Most people prefer to breathe through the nose (historically referred to as "obligate nasal breathers"). Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with breastfeeding and cause life-threatening respiratory distress; in older children and adolescents it is often just an annoyance but can cause other difficulties.
   Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with insufficient oxygen levels and hypoxia, as well as right-sided heart failure. The problem usually resolves after surgery to remove the adenoids and tonsils, however the problem often relapses later in life due to craniofacial alterations from chronic nasal congestion.
   Section::::Drugs for nasal administration.
   Nasal administration is primarily suitable for potent drugs since only a limited volume can be sprayed into the nasal cavity. Drugs for continuous and frequent administration may be less suitable because of the risk of harmful long-term effects on the nasal epithelium. Nasal administration has also been associated with a high variability in the amount of drug absorbed. Upper airway infections may increase the variability as may the extent of sensory irritation of the nasal mucosa, differences in the amount of liquid spray that is swallowed and not kept in the nasal cavity and differences in the spray actuation process. However, the variability in the amount absorbed after nasal administration should be comparable to that after oral administration.
   Badly positioned alar cartilages lack proper support, and can affect the function of the external nasal valve. This can cause breathing problems particularly during deep inhalation. The surgical procedure to correct breathing problems due to disorders in the nasal structures is called a rhinoplasty, and this is also the procedure used for a cosmetic surgery when it is commonly called a "nose job". For surgical procedures of rhinoplasty, the nose is mapped out into a number of subunits and segments. This uses nine "aesthetic nasal subunits" and six "aesthetic nasal segments". A septoplasty is the specific surgery to correct a nasal septum deviation.
   In people with nasal polyps due to aspirin or NSAID sensitivity, the underlying mechanism is due to disorders in the metabolism of arachidonic acid. Exposure to cycloxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin and NSAIDs leads to shunting of products through the lipoxygenase pathway leading to an increased production of products that cause inflammation. In the airway, these inflammatory products lead to symptoms of asthma such as wheezing as well as nasal polyp formation.
  
  Section::::Diagnosis.
   The conchae are also responsible for filtration, heating, and humidification of air inhaled through the nose. Of these three, filtration is achieved mostly by other more effective means such as mucous and cilia. As air passes over the conchae, it is heated to 32 - 34 °C (89 - 93 °F), humidified (up to 98% water saturation) and filtered.
  
  Section::::Function.:Immunological role.
   BULLET::::2. the nasal lining – A thin layer of vascular mucosa that adheres tightly to the deep surface of the bones and the cartilages of the nose. Said dense adherence to the nasal interior limits the mobility of the mucosa, consequently, only the smallest of mucosal defects ( 5 mm) can be sutured primarily.
   A broken nose can result from trauma. Minor fractures may heal on their own. Surgery known as reduction may be carried out on more severe breaks that cause dislocation.
  
  Some drugs can be nasally administered, and these include nasal sprays and topical treatments.
  
  Several nasal procedures of the nose and paranasal sinuses can be carried out using minimally-invasive nasal endoscopy. These procedures aim to restore sinus ventilation, mucociliary clearance, and maintain the health of the sinus mucosa.
   It is possible that the nasal cycle may exacerbate the nasal congestion caused by the common cold, as the lack of motility of the cilia in one half of the nose may lead to an uncomfortable sensation of not being able to shift mucus by blowing the nose.
  
  Section::::Benefits in breathing.
   Staying hydrated and avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated products which worsen symptoms is key. Avoiding cigarette smoke is also recommended because it can cause increased discomfort if inhaled. Drinking more fluids, especially those that can thin mucous (such as hot liquids), can be beneficial. Nasal irrigations such as saline-based nose sprays can be used to help with secretions in the throat which may be causing discomfort to the sufferer. Furthermore, people can ask their doctor to prescribe steroid-based nasal sprays which are safe and more effective than decongestant sprays that can be bought over the counter and may only remain helpful for a limited period of time.
   In OSA it appears to be effective to reduce but not eliminate apnea for people with mild to moderate OSA (Apnea–hypopnea index < 30) and for people who cannot tolerate CPAP, but within those groups it is not clear why some respond and others do not, and the evidence consists of small clinical trials with follow-up no longer than one year. As of 2015 there was evidence from one small trial that it may be useful in children with OSA. It has shown evidence of reducing snoring as well.
   Human infants are commonly described as obligate nasal breathers as they prefer breathing through their nose rather than mouth. Most infants, however, are able to breathe through their mouth if their nose is blocked. There are however certain infants with conditions such as choanal atresia in which deaths have resulted from nasal obstruction. In these cases there are cyclical periods of cyanosis. The infant initially attempts to breathe through the nose, and is unable to; hypercapnia occurs, and many babies instinctively begin to cry. While crying, oral ventilation occurs and cyanosis subsides. There is variation in the length of time until a baby begins oral breathing, and some will never cease attempts at nasal breathing. It has also been suggested that infants may not be able to sustain oral breathing for significant lengths of time, because of the weakness of the muscles required to seal the nasal airway and open the oral airway.
   In people with nasal polyps caused by aspirin or NSAIDs, avoidance of these medications will help with symptoms. Aspirin desensitization has also been shown to be beneficial.
  
  Section::::Treatment.:Surgery.
   Treatment options depend on the nature of an individual’s post-nasal drip and its cause. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the PND is the result of a bacterial infection. Antihistamines are recommended if the PND is caused by allergies. First-generation antihistamines can have side effects including drowsiness however. Nasal steroid treatments, such as fluticasone propionate, may also provide relief. Decongestants such as Sudafed cause a reduction in membranes through the tightening of blood vessels which resultantly limit PND.
  