Why do so many of us wake up feeling stuffy, breathe easier by lunch, and then end the day one nostril short of satisfaction? If you’ve ever wondered why your nose seems to have a mind of its own—especially when you lie down, go outside, or walk into a dusty room—this one’s for you. In this Q&A, SinusDoctor, Dr. GVK Chaitanya Rao helps demystify the many reasons behind persistent nasal congestion. From the natural rhythm of your nose to structural issues and allergic triggers, here’s a simple, clear breakdown of what’s really going on when your nose just won’t let go.
A lot of people say they feel like one side of their nose is always blocked. What’s going on there?
Dr. GVK Chaitanya Rao: That’s actually more common than people realize. Our nasal passages don’t stay equally open all the time—there’s something called the “nasal cycle” where one side naturally gets more airflow while the other is slightly congested, and this switches every few hours. But if one side always feels blocked, it could be due to a deviated nasal septum, swollen turbinates, or chronic inflammation from allergies or pollution.