SE Valley Times

People throughout the world often overlook the true purpose of the nose. Part of the respiratory system, the nose allows individuals to experience a sense of smell and shapes their appearance, yet it serves a higher purpose. Read the following five facts about your nose:

Fact number one: We have two nostrils for a reason, and it's not for looks. When you have a cold you can still breathe while one nostril is completely blocked (usually due to sinus allergies or inflammation of the sinuses). Just like the yoga breathing practice known as Pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing, your body and nose do this naturally, alternating dominant airflow through each nostril every few hours, according to Science Focus.

Fact number two: Just like your eyelashes and eyebrows protecting against dust and debris from getting in our eyes, the nose is ground zero for every breath we take. Thus those tiny hairs in our nose are our body's way of protecting itself by blocking harmful pathogens and airborne particles from entering our respiratory system, according to Healthline.

Fact number three: Science says breathing through your nose is not just better for your health, it can have substantial negative health consequences and even contribute to bad breath. Mouth breathing, as it is referred to, dries out the mouth creating the proper environment for gingivitis and cavity development, according to Healthline.

Fact number four: The vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson's organ, found within the nose is an auxiliary to our sense of smell and functions in part under the endocrine system. It is responsible for mammals being receptive to chemical signals such as those “pheromones” needed for mating. Although in humans it is thought to be irrelevant, according to Wikipedia.

Fact number five: Mucus is important. Mucus works to protect the lining or mucosa of the nose as well as a sticky surface for pathogens and airborne particles. When you’re suffering from a cold, your nose is not actually full of mucus. What you’re experiencing is nose inflammation, which makes it feel like your nose is full of snot, according to Vox.

"Usually patients with chronic sinusitis have issues breathing through the nose," Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center said. "Most patients come in saying that their chronic mouth breathes, they don't sleep very well, they wake up with a really dry mouth, or they are snoring more or louder. And a lot of that just comes down to their nose being plugged and not functioning properly. And that can definitely impact the quality of their sleep. And also if they do have sleep apnea it can make that even worse."

If you or someone you know suffers from a sinus condition or you would like to learn more about the topics in this article, please take this sinus assessment quiz.