Have you ever thought about how much work this little organ called the nose, which is just a little forward from the middle of your face, does for us? Every second we breathe, every time we smell a delicious food, our nose silently does its job. So, today we will talk about our nose, its amazing abilities, and how to keep it healthy.
What services do we receive from the nose?
Think about it, the nose doesn't just help us breathe. It's like a gateway into our bodies. Check out these things it does:
- It provides a way for us to breathe: The nose is the main gateway for our body to take in the oxygen it needs and expel the unwanted carbon dioxide .
- It also affects our voice: When you have a cold, your voice changes, doesn't it? The reason for that is the nose. The nose also contributes to the nature of our voice.
- Purifies the air: The air we breathe is filtered and cleaned of germs, dust particles, and allergens by tiny mechanisms inside the nose, like a filter .
- Smells: The smell of a delicious dish, the scent of a beautiful flower... We sense all of this because of the olfactory organs in our nose.
- Warms and moisturizes the air: It is not good if the cold, dry air from the outside environment goes straight into our lungs. Inside the nose, this air is warmed and moistened to match our body temperature before it goes down into the respiratory system.
In medicine, if a word begins with "Naso-" (e.g. `Nasopharyngeal`) or "Rhino-" (e.g. `Rhinoplasty`), it is usually referring to something related to the nose. If you need treatment for a condition related to the nose, you will most likely need to see an `Otolaryngologist - ENT` (ear, nose, and throat specialist).
What are the parts of our nose?
Our nose is not a simple thing. As well as the parts that are visible on the outside, it also has a very complex structure on the inside.
Parts of the nose that are visible
The parts of the nose that we see in the mirror are made up of bone, cartilage (just like the soft bones in the ear), and fatty tissue.
- Nasal Root: The top point where the nose connects to the face, between the two eyebrows.
- Nasal Apex: The lowest, rounded tip of the nose, where the nostrils meet.
- Nasal Dorsum: The middle part of the nose between the root and tip.
The complex world inside the nose
There are many small parts inside the nose that perform very important functions.
- Cilia: These are like tiny hairs . They catch dust and dirt particles that enter the nose, gently push them towards the nostrils and out of the body. These are different from the large hairs in the nose. These `Cilia` are found throughout our entire respiratory system.
- Nasal Cavities: There are two air-permeable cavities inside the nose, one on each side. The inside of these cavities is lined with mucus membranes.
- Nerve Cells: These cells communicate with the brain and allow us to smell.
- Nose Hairs: These large hairs inside the nose trap large dust particles and prevent them from entering the nasal cavity.
- Nostrils/Nares: These are the two entrances to the nasal cavities.
- Paranasal Sinuses: These are small air-filled pockets connected to the nasal cavities. These paranasal sinuses produce mucus, which is necessary to keep the nose moist.
- Nasal septum: The wall made of bone and cartilage that separates the two nasal cavities. The lower part of this is between the two nostrils. In some people, this may be deviated to one side, which is called a ``Deviated Septum``.
- Turbinates/Conchae: These are the fleshy, ridged structures inside the nose. When we breathe, they warm and moisten the air we breathe in, and help clear mucus and other debris from the nose. There are about three pairs of these in each nostril.
How is the shape of the nose?
The nose is slightly pyramidal in shape. Also, the size and shape of each person's nose is different. Just like your fingerprint, the shape of your nose is unique to you. This is mainly influenced by the bones and cartilage of the nose.
What are the common diseases and conditions that affect the nose?
Nasal congestion is a common condition that affects the nose. It is caused by inflammation in the nasal passages caused by allergens or disease-causing germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi).
Other common conditions are:
- Broken Nose
- Chronic Sinusitis - This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
- Deviated Septum
- Hay Fever/Allergic Rhinitis
- Nasal Polyps
- Nasal Valve Collapse
- Nosebleed/Epistaxis
- Saddle Nose - The bridge of the nose looks like it has sunken in.
Common symptoms of nasal diseases
Depending on the condition of your nose, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Cough
- Loss of smell (Anosmia)
- Pain or a feeling of pressure around the nose
- Postnasal drip
- Runny Nose/Rhinorrhea
- Frequent sneezing
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion, heaviness
What are the common treatments for the nose?
Nasal endoscopy is a procedure that is commonly used to diagnose and treat nasal diseases. This involves inserting a small camera into the nose to check for infections, blockages, and other conditions.
Other common treatments:
- Balloon Sinuplasty - A procedure that opens up the sinuses.
- Types of medications: For example, `(Antihistamines)` (which reduce allergies), `(Nasal Decongestants)` (which reduce nasal congestion).
- Nasal polypectomy
- Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery)
- Septoplasty (Septoplasty)
- Sinus Surgery
- Turbinate Reduction Surgery
How can I keep my nose healthy?
Nasal hygiene is very important for our overall health. These tips will help you keep your nose and nasal passages healthy:
- Avoid smoking and inhaling other people's cigarette smoke.
- Don't pluck your nose hairs. If you do, do it very carefully. Because they are what trap dust and dirt.
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you can reduce allergens in your home environment, use a ``HEPA - High-Efficiency Particulate Air)`` filter.
- Keep your home clean and dust-free. Wash your bed sheets regularly.
- Rinse your nasal passages with a saline spray or a neti pot . Spraying saline into your nasal passages can help keep them clean and moist.
- Use a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air at home.
Remember, keeping our nose healthy helps us stay healthy!
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any of these things, it's a good idea to tell a doctor about them:
- If you have any concerns about the appearance of your nose.
- If you have frequent nosebleeds.
- If there are signs of infection (fever, yellow or green phlegm).
- If there is pressure or pain in the sinuses.
- If you have sleep-related problems such as snoring or sleep apnea.
We use our nose every day, every second, but we don't think much about it until it's not working properly, do we? Nasal congestion, blockages, and other nasal ailments can make us feel very uncomfortable, and we can't enjoy the things we love.
Take-Home Message from this article
Simply put, our nose is an amazing organ. The work it does is essential to our lives. From breathing to smelling, our nose silently performs a great service.
So, take care of your nose. Even if you have a minor cold, don't ignore it. Keeping your nose clean and healthy can protect you from many diseases and help you enjoy life. If you feel like there is something wrong, it is never too late to seek medical advice. Because, a healthy nose is a good start to a healthy life!
` Nose, smell, breathing, sinuses, nasal diseases, nasal care, ENT
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