Grand Canyon Times

Sinusitis and other sinus-related ailments, even colds, can leave a nose feeling stuffy and full, but sometimes there's more going on with the nose that might otherwise be apparent.

Sinusitis and other sinus-related ailments easily can affect life in general, Diana Ruiloba, physician assistant at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers in Scottsdale, told Grand Canyon Times.

"Sinusitis can impact quality of life in many ways," Ruiloba said. "It can impact life from a sleep standpoint, if you are not breathing well you are not sleeping well if you are not sleeping well you are not able to perform daily tasks to your best potential."

Understanding a sinus condition begins with the source: the nose.

There's a reason humans have two nostrils and it isn't all about looks. Severe sinusitis sufferers notice right away that they can still breath when one nostril is completely blocked, often due to sinus allergies or inflammation of the sinuses. Practitioners of the Yoga breathing practice Pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing, know that it is natural for the body and nose to alternate dominant air flow through each nostril every few hours.

The nose operates much as eyelashes and eyebrows do for the eyes, to protect against dust and debris, according to HealthLine Media. The nose is ground zero for every breath taken, with its tiny hairs blocking harmful pathogens and airborne particles from entering our respiratory system.

Healthline Media also reports that breathing through the nose is not just better for your health, but that constant mouth breathing can have substantial negative health consequences and even contribute to bad breath. Mouth breathing dries out the mouth, which creates a friendly environment for gingivitis and cavity development.

There's even more to the nose than meets the eyes. The nose's vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson's organ, acts as an auxiliary to the sense of smell and functions as part of the endocrine system. This is why humans and other mammals are receptive to chemical signals known as "pheromones," particular when finding a mating, though many think it is irrelevant in humans.

The nose also is home to one of the most misunderstood and derided substances in the human body: Mucus. This slippery aqueous secretion, also called "snot" and "boogers," protects the nose's lining from pathogens and airborne particles. Cold and sinusitis doesn't actually fill the nose with mucus. Instead, it's inflammation caused by those ailments that leave less room for the mucus, leaving the nose feeling like it's full of snot.

If you deal with sinus issues that interrupt your quality of life, please take this sinus assessment.