Reciprocal changes in nasal resistance in response to changes in posture

Unilateral nasal resistance to airflow has been reported to be affected by a change in position of the body. On changing from an erect position to a recumbent one, there is an increase in total nasal resistance to airflow which is thought to be caused by congestion of the nasal venous erectile tissue due to an increase in the jugular venous pressure. Changing from the erect or the supine position to the lateral recumbent position is known also to result in congestion of the ipsilateral or dependent nasal passage. Application of unilateral pressure to the axillary region results in congestion ipsilaterally and decongestion contralaterally. The effect of the lateral recumbent position has been investigated both in the dependent nasal passage and the contralateral nasal passage. Also examined is the effect on the total nasal resistance and the normal nasal cyclic activity.