Sleeping and nasal?/sinus? congestion

[djkvan]

When I lay on my back or either side it always seems as though one nostril is clear breathing while the other is mostly obstructed (not mucousy), but when I lay on my tummy my breathing clears up almost immediately on both sides. I experience the same thing throughout the day with one nostril seemingly clear (usually the right side) and dominating the breathing duties while the other is kinda blocked and weaker. Is this asymmetry similar to handedness? Regarding sleeping I've read conflicting information as to what position is most proper when it comes to side versus back versus belly. Any thoughts?

[panacea]

About 85% of People Only Breathe Out of One Nostril at a Time

yoga kittyToday I found out around 85% of humans only breathe out of one nostril at a time. Even more interesting is that the pattern of switching from breathing out of one nostril to the other happens in a cyclical fashion, with about four hours or so between each switch typically; although, this can vary from person to person and vary based on your bodily position or nasal congestion.

This “nasal cycle” was first noticed by a German nose specialist, Richard Kayser in 1895. How your nose accomplishes this switch is via erectile tissue in your nose, which is very similar to the erectile tissue in a penis or clitoris. Erectile tissue will swell up in one nostril, mostly blocking it, and at the same time erectile tissue in the other nostril will shrink, opening it up for breathing.

Even more interesting is that depending on which nostril you are predominately breathing out of at any given moment, it seems to greatly affect your body and brain.

For instance, a study in 1988 showed that breathing through your right nostril significantly increases blood glucose levels, while breathing through your left nostril has the opposite effect. It is speculated from this that abnormal nasal cycles, such as breathing through your right nostril for many years without a switch, may be one cause of diabetes.

Another study in 1993 showed that when you are breathing through your right nostril you will use significantly more oxygen than when breathing through your left.

Most interestingly of all, yet another study published in 1994, showed that when you are breathing through your left nostril, the right hemisphere of your brain will be more active or dominant and vice-verse when you are breathing through your right nostril. This can be a handy thing to know as the right hemisphere of your brain is your “creative/imaginative” side, while the left hemisphere of your brain is your “logical” side. So forcing breathing through one nostril or the other can actually affect the way you think at a given moment.

Even though this switching happens naturally in a cyclical fashion, you can affect it in more ways than just plugging one nostril or the other to force breathing through the one you want. If you lay down on one side or the other, after around 12-15 minutes, the erectile tissue in the nostril on that side will begin to swell up and the other side will decrease its swelling so that if you are laying on your left side, then your right nostril will open up and your left nostril will close up.

It is thought that this nasal cycle could be the reason that, when you sleep on your side, you will often switch sides throughout the night at very regular intervals, even if you weren’t in the slightest bit uncomfortable. It could just be that your body needs to switch which nostril it is breathing out of, so you feel the urge to roll over to your other side while you sleep.

Bonus Factoids:

* Research has shown that the nasal cycle gets weaker as you get older.
* The nasal cycle is thought to be regulated by the autonomic nervous system via the sympathetic nervous system.

Source: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php ... at-a-time/

In my opinion sleep is best in the most unconstricting and pressure-diverse position, like a hammock with strong but breathable fabric, and no pillow. However on mattress-like surfaces, pillows are beneficial when sleeping on your side. When sleeping on your back, most pillows (thinnest ones excluded) give your neck an unnatural posture all night. So the most comfortable position for me on mattresses is the side position with a kind of thin pillow.

[djkvan]

Wow thanks, panacea! I remember falling asleep on my belly a lot as a child. Now I think I cycle through all sleeping positions on any given night, but favor the fetal position laying on my right side. Given that my right nostril seem clear much of the time throughout my waking day, this position makes sense in terms of balancing out the equation. I just found this:

[/quote]
Most popular sleeping positions

A study published on May 1, 2007, by the Better Sleep Council of Canada — which represents more than 450 manufacturers, retailers and suppliers from the mattress industry — found that Canadians tend to prefer one of five different sleep positions:

* Lying on the side with arms on the sides: Thirty-nine per cent of those surveyed chose this position. Lying on your side is recommended — as long as you maintain a slight bend in your legs.
* Lying on the side with legs bent: Twenty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they slept in this most recommended position. Experts say if you sleep in this position, you should place a pillow between your knees to naturally support your hips and lower back.
* Lying on the back with arms by the side: Fifteen per cent of those surveyed preferred this position.
* Lying on the stomach: Eight per cent of Canadians surveyed preferred this position. Stomach sleeping is not recommended as it can cause stress for the lower back, neck and shoulders. A flat pillow under the hips and one under the head are recommended.
* Lying on the back with arms by the head: Five per cent of those surveyed preferred this position. Sleeping on your back is a preferred position because it puts the least stress on your joints and back.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these tips for the best positions for lying down or sleeping:

* Try to maintain the curve in your back (such as lying on your back with a pillow under your knees or a lumbar roll under your lower back, or on your side with your knees slightly bent).
* Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest.
* Avoid sleeping on your stomach, especially on a saggy mattress, since this can cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck.
* Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag. If necessary, place a board under your mattress.
* Try a back support to help you feel more comfortable. Try tying a rolled sheet or towel around your waist.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/sleep.html

As to the hammock, that sounds like an interesting option. I have a queen-size Tempurpedic Celebrity model. I bought it just about five years ago and it delivers a great sleep in any position. Best purchase ever!

[panacea]

perhaps the most efficient sleeping position ever would be in a water bed.. I actually haven't been in one in like 10 years and it seems like an ancient idea but think about it, in water it's almost effortless to have perfect posture (do you remember having back pain after standing in a pool with water up to your chest? I don't). Maybe it's not that simple.. does anyone have any bad experiences with waterbeds like backpain or uncomfortableness?

[djkvan]

I can't stand water beds. I slept in one for a summer when I was in my early twenties and it sucked for my back. Maybe the one I was sleeping on wasn't filled properly, or was cheap, but I didn't enjoy the experience at all.

[panacea]

I'm researching it right now, I think, like anything, it takes some getting used to and some fine tweaking.. to be honest, mattresses suck for my back even though I've used them all of my life, and water seems more supportive than a hammock, but much more expensive for a water-bed and frame and harder to move from place to place, so I'll probably get a hammock until I settle down.

Anyway, here's some non-financially motivated testimonies to water-beds from people who have used them for a long time I found off google:

I have been sleeping on a waterbed for over 40 years and I can do a video on how this waterbed has changed my way of sleeping and I do not have any back problems.

I am getting sick and tired of companies advertising mattresses that tell you you are going to get a good night's sleep.

I am 67 and I will never ever sleep on a mattress again as long as I live. All you have to do is sit on the edge of the waterbed and keep your feet off the floor. If your butt hits the boards on the bottom of your waterbed, you do not have enough water in the bed.

Add water so you do not hit the bottom and so you do not touch the bottom. This applies to two people. You do the same thing for two people.

Trust me. I have been sleeping on a full float water bed, no baffles. Mattresses are not good for you and they wear out. Waterbeds do not wear out if you take care of them.
- anon85325
1
Hi, I have had so many debates re water beds. I have one and have slept on it for 28 years. 21 years ago I had major surgery on my back and the answer to my question to my surgeon when asked if it was ok to sleep on a water bed was "I wish all my back patients slept on a water bed"

My daughter argues that this theory is old fashioned and that I should change my bed. I have tried orthopedic beds and always wake up with numerous pressure marks and back pain.

Thank you for his site, it and others have confirmed ( to me anyway) that I am not all that old fashioned.

Lori
- trentham

[CSIV]

Having your body submerged in water is very beneficial to your bones, joints, blood flow, etc. because it takes off all the stress your body endures while standing, sitting, or lying down on land away. The water molecules support most of our weight for us rather than our joints and muscles doing all the work. In order to receive the same benefits while sleeping, one would have to be submerged in water while sleeping. Unfortunately this would readily dehydrate you and the risks of drowning are great
Laying on a waterbed is much different than being submerged in water, but that's not to say it's bad. I don't know if waterbeds are good for your back or not; everything I've heard about them in the past, though, is negative. Maybe all these beds were under filled, which would make sense, because the number one thing you want from what you sleep on is support. I've had pretty bad, chronic back pain for a couple years and it has really diminished this year. The mattress I have now is lying on the floor and has a memory foam topper on it. I find it very comfortable. I think I can credit most of my back healing process to sitting less and hiking/stretching more, though.

Regards.

[djkvan]

I'm glad to hear your back problems are resolving, CSIV. I have been through back problems as well (not as bad as you, I imagine) and it certainly was no fun. My Tempurpedic has done the trick for me, for sure. Actually, the model I have is a memory foam mattress with a memory foam pillow top layer. Decadent!

[CSIV]

That does sound great!

[Oscar]

Hope your mattress doesn't suffer from memory loss then...

[djkvan]