Nose Care - Interesting facts, Problems and Cleaning of Nose

The nose is the filter of your lungs So make nasal hygiene a priority!

Many very significant role of nose such as It warms, humidifies and purifies the air we breathe. Its mucous membrane protects airways against external threats by filtering particles present in the air. The nose helps project the sound our voice and, of course, is responsible for our sense of smell.
A person's ability to smell is possible through the nose. Your nose is your avenue for smelling. This ability to smell enables you to enjoy a better quality of life and enables you to acknowledge imminent danger. Imagine if you lacked that powerful sense of smell: Will you enjoy eating without being able to smell the aroma of good food? Will you be able to tell if something is burning in your home? Certainly not!
Allergies, colds, nose bleeds, and dryness all affect the function of the nose.

know about interesting facts of nose, before nose problems and care

• The shape of nose depends on the ethnic background of a person.
• Positions of lower and upper lateral cartilages and nasal bones actually define nose shape.
• Human nose is made up of only 5 different types of muscles which are dilatator naris anterior, dilatator naris posterior, depressor septi, nasalis and procerus.
• In women, nose grows until the age of 15 to 17 and for men, it is 17 to 19.
• The best air filter in this world is human nose. Human nostrils are lined up with hair responsible for blocking germs and dust. Grooves in nasal cavity make air swirl like stream currents. This is when the inhaled hair is moistened and warmed so that the sensitive tissues of the lungs can be protected. It is during this filtration process that the mucus lining of the nasal cavity captures cold viruses and pollen which cannot be stopped by hair in nostrils.
• Mucus is produced by human sinuses and nose and it contains white blood cells and enzymes responsible for fighting infections. One quart mucus is produced daily.
• When a person becomes sick because of flu, the nose becomes runny. This happens because the nose produces more mucus than usual in an attempt to kill microbes invading the body.
• Humans are capable of detecting 10,000+ scents. Humans can detect smell with special types of cells known as olfactory nerve cells. There are nearly 12 million olfactory cells present in a normal human. However, this number gradually decreases with age.
• Olfactory nerves from nose have direct connection with brain. It is because of this that several types of smells can bring memories back.
• Sense of smell is the only one of the 5 senses in humans which has direct connection with hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for formation of memory.
• Humans release pheromones – a type of chemical released only in response to sexual attraction. Nasal grooves in nostrils are sites rich in pheromones. Human nose is capable of detecting pheromones of opposite sex. According to experts, it is the pheromones in nose that led to the birth of smooching or romantic kissing.
• Humans are capable of smelling feelings like sexual arousal and happiness of their romantic partner as long as the two of them are close.
• Humans don’t smell with nose. It is the brain that does the job. The olfactory nerve cells in nose are only responsible for capturing smell and sending them to the brain. It is the brain where the smell gets identified.
• Female nose becomes hypersensitive when they become pregnant. It is because of this they develop unusual carving and abnormal taste sense.
• Men can smell ovulating women. In fact, both sexes are capable of smelling major histocompatibility complexes that appear to be different from their own. This is very important because when a person smells a different MHC in opposite sex and mates, the resulting offspring is born with a stronger immune system.
• The roof of human mouth is nothing but the floor of nasal cavity.
• Some people may have a very strong sense of smell. This is known as hyperosmia.
• Humans lose some of their smelling ability at the age of 65. At the age of 80, 50% of smelling capabilities are lost.
• Zinc deficiency in body can also lead to loss of smelling sense. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes can also lead to loss of smelling sense.
• Human babies know their mothers by the scent of their mothers.

Before Nose Problems and Care, it is important to know about the anatomy of the nose

Nose is divided into sections. The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone in the center of the nasal cavity. it is divides the nose vertically (one external nostril on each side), but the nose is also separated into front and back parts. The front, visible part of the nose is called the anterior, which is made from cartilage; the section that leads into the throat is called the posterior. Surrounding the nose are the sinuses. Sinuses help humidify the air we breathe in. Another is that they enhance our voices.
The sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities in the skull. The middle meatus is the intersection between the sinuses, and turbinates are ridges on the sides of the nasal cavity. The largest sinus cavities are about an inch across. Others are much smaller. There are four sinus cavities — maxillary sinuses, frontal sinuses, ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses.
Your cheekbones hold your maxillary sinuses (the largest).
The low-center of your forehead is where your frontal sinuses are located.
Between your eyes are your ethmoid sinuses. In bones behind your nose are your sphenoid sinuses.
They’re lined with soft, pink tissue called mucosa. Normally, the sinuses are empty except for a thin layer of mucus.

The major triggers for sinus problems

When allergies or other environmental factors cause the nasal (nose) tissues to swell, these sinuses fill with fluid instead of air and get blocked, resulting in a condition known as ‘Sinusitis’.

The types of Sinusitis:

Depending upon the healing time and recurrence rate, sinus infections are divided into the following types:

• Acute Sinusitis :- Starts suddenly with cold-like symptoms and facial pain, and lasts between 2-4 weeks.
• Sub-acute Sinusitis :- Sinus inflammation (swelling of the nasal tissues) that lasts between 4-12 weeks
• Chronic Sinusitis :- Prolonged inflammation that takes over 12 weeks to heal.
• Recurrent Sinusitis :- Occurs several times a year with varied healing times.

The Symptoms of Sinusitis:

The main symptoms of sinusitis are:

• Constant coughing in children
• Reduced sense of smell and taste in adults
• Nasal congestion that makes nose-breathing difficult
• Painful, swollen, and tender eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
• Thick, discolored discharge that either drains down the back of the throat or from the nose

Along with nasal inflammation, at least two of the above symptoms must be present to qualify for a sinusitis diagnosis; with the secondary symptoms of the condition being:

• A cough that worsens overnight
• Upper jaw and toothache
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Fatigue or irritability
• Sore throat
• Earache
• Nausea

Causes of Sinus infection:

While a common cold (caused by a virus that blocks the sinuses by forcing the nasal tissues to swell) is often the precursor of a sinus infection, various other factors can also result in sinusitis:
1. Viruses :- Most sinus infections start with a cold. Colds are caused by a virus, which can make nasal tissue swell, blocking the holes that normally drain sinuses.
If your sinus infection, is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help since these drugs kill only bacteria.
The best defenses against these sinus infections are the same things that protect against colds and the flu. In other words, get a flu shot, wash your hands, and don’t chill with the visibly ill.
2. Allergies :- Pollen, dust, mold, pet fur, perfumes, and other allergens (substances that trigger allergic reactions) can irritate the nose and cause nasal inflammation.
Therefore, it is highly recommended for people with certain allergies to avoid such substances.
Moreover, cigarette smoke damages the nasal passage, making smokers more prone to blockages and sinus infections.
3. Bacteria :- Viral and allergic sinus infections are often prolonged and worsened by dormant bacteria already present in the body, particularly Streptococcus pneumonia (that often causes pneumonia) and Hemophiliacs influenza (responsible for a wide range of bacterial infections). While bacterial sinusitis can be treated using antibiotics, the condition can be prevented by regularly taking decongestants during a cold.
4. Polyps :- Nasal polyps are small, benign growths that develop from nose or sinus tissues and can cause the sinus cavities to become blocked, preventing mucus from draining and causing sinus infection. These little gems can also restrict airway passages, which can in turn trigger headaches.
Polyps are treated with nasal steroid sprays or a short course of oral steroids, and if steroid treatments don’t work, surgery may be necessary.
5. Swimming and diving :- If you’re prone to sinus infections or congestion, avoid spending long periods in chlorinated pools, as chlorine can irritate your nasal lining and sinuses.
Diving into water can be a problem too. The pressure during a dive can push water into your sinuses and irritate and inflame the tissue.
6. Fungi :- Fungi are very unusual causes of sinus infections. Fungal sinus infections can occur in healthy individuals, they are most common in people with weakened immune systems.
When your immune system is vulnerable, fungi can grow, especially in damp and dark environments—aka your sinuses. The most common fungus associated with sinusitis is Aspergillus.
Treatments may include surgery to remove the fungi, antifungal therapy, or scraping the infected sinus. See your doctor if you have fever, headache, and vision problems for more than 10 days.
7. Overuse of Nasal Products :- Using nasal decongestants for an extended period of time (over 4-5 days) can not only constrict blood vessels in the nose; causing breathing difficulties, but can also worsen symptoms, reduce their effectiveness and result in re-swelling of the nose; a condition known as ‘Rebound Nasal Congestion’.
8. Smoking :- Like air pollutants, cigarette and cigar smoke can also irritate your nose and cause inflammation, thereby making you more susceptible to sinus infections.
People who smoke may be at higher risk of sinus infections, because their natural sinus-cleaning system is damaged by cigarette smoke. "So they accumulate more ‘junk’ in the sinuses, which can clog passages when they have a cold."
9. Lack of moisture or dry air :- When mucus is trapped in the nasal passages for long periods of time, it can lose water and thicken. The result? It worsens symptoms and makes sinusitis more likely.
Therefore, doctors recommend you keep your nose as moist as possible. Start by drinking lots of water and avoiding caffeine, and use a humidifier to keep indoor air moist during the winter.
10. Structural Defects :- People with an extra sinus and a septum (a thin wall of bone and cartilage between the two nasal cavities) that deviates to one side, as opposed to its normal central position; making one nasal passage smaller than the other, are more prone to sinus infections. The deviation can be genetic or the result of an injury and is commonly fixed via surgery.
While most cases of sinusitis can be avoided by drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and using saline sprays, an infection that lasts longer than 12-13 weeks requires immediate medical attention as it can also cause serious medical complications.

Nose Care and Cleaning

Cleaning your nose which is also known as nasal lavage is useful in many allergies, sinus, and cold infections. Although the process is simple you should know the right technique.
1. Nasal Sprays :- Many sprays are targeting your sinuses and not your nose, and thus can be damaging or irritating to the lining along the nostrils. If you do have to use a nasal spray, be sure to follow the directions and avoid spraying any more than absolutely necessary. Never exceed the dosing instructions or take it longer than prescribed as this can lead to serious problems.
Warm steam breathed in through the nostrils can actually help more than sprays. If you inhale the steam between 4 and 6 times daily without an additive, you can often help clear up sinuses and improve your nasal passages quickly without the risk of harming membranes.
2. Take a steam :- The moisture and heat from the steam will clear your nose and sinuses. Simply boil 3-4 cups of water and place it in a pot. Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam through your nose.The moisture will get the dirt and the mucous moving out of your nose.
3. Humidity in the Air :-Keeping your home’s air a bit more humid can help improve nose health as well. Humidity helps prevent things like waking in the middle of the night with nasal problems and can increase the ease of breathing. In some cases it can also help cut down on snoring because the nasal passages are not clogged.
Using a simple humidifier will allow you to control the level of moisture in the home’s air. A humidifier provides a quick, easy way to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. Humidifiers also thin the mucus in your sinuses. This can help empty the fluids in your nose and return your breathing to normal.
4. Cotton swab and salty water :- To take care of your nose properly you will want to make sure that it receives the same kind of care that you want your skin and hair to have. With a cotton swab and warm, mildly salty water you can clean your nose without risk of scratching or cutting and you will not damage the sensitive membranes.
5. Use a nasal wash :- A nasal wash can help remove the debris and mucous from your nose. You can simply buy a saline solution from a medical store and use it to clean out the bacteria, allergens, and germs.
6. Sniff onions :- Onions can be a good way to keep your nose decongested. Just peel and slice one onion and smell it. The onion will act as a catalyst and secrete a liquid that will clean your nose.
7. Gently blow your nostrils :- If your nose is stuffed, blowing your nostrils gently can also help the dirt and the mucous move out of your nose. Just ensure that you close your eyes and open your mouth to release the pressure from your face while blowing your nose. Use a tissue when you clean out your nostrils.
8. Use a neti pot :- Add 10g rock salt in 1-litre water, heat till lukewarm and fill in the neti pot. Tilt your neck, with your right nostril touch the tip. Breathe in water through the right nostril and keep your mouth slightly open. The water will automatically come out through the left nostril. Now repeat with left nostril.
9. The steam of shower :- You could breathe so much better after a hot shower? There’s a good reason for that. The steam from a shower helps to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. Taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while.
10. Use a warm compress :- A warm compress may help unclog a stuffy nose by opening the nasal passages from the outside. To make a warm compress, first soak a towel in warm water. Squeeze the water out of the towel, then fold it and place it over your nose and forehead. The warmth can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.