Have you ever thought deeply about your nose? Probably not, right? We realize the value of our nose the most when we have a really bad cold and our nose is blocked. At that time, we think, "Oh, I can't even breathe." But in fact, the nose is not just an organ that helps us breathe. It is a protector of our body, an air conditioner, and an amazing organ related to our personality. So today, let's learn more about this small-looking nose, but it does a big job.
What service does the nose provide to our body?
The nose has several functions for our body. Although these are just a list, they are all very important for our healthy existence.
- Breathing Gate: Simply put, the oxygen our body needs enters through the nose. This is the starting point of the respiratory system. This process happens thousands of times a day without us even realizing it.
- A filter that cleans the air: How many things are there in the air we breathe that are invisible to the eye, such as dust, germs, and pollen? The fine hairs and mucous membranes (mucus-producing membranes) inside the nose filter all of this and send it to the lungs. It works like the air filter in a car.
- Controlling air temperature and humidity: The air outside can sometimes be very cold or dry. If this air goes directly into the lungs, it can damage the respiratory system. As the air passes through the complex structures inside the nose, it warms up to body temperature and adds moisture.
- Sense of smell: The nose helps us smell delicious food or a beautiful flower. Special nerve cells located in the upper part of the nose detect odors and send that information to the brain. This sense of smell is also directly related to the sense of taste. That's why food doesn't taste good when you have a cold.
- Voice Effects: When you have a cold, your voice changes, right? The reason is that the nose and the air cavities (sinuses) around it affect the resonance of our voice. When the nose is blocked, this resonance changes, and the voice sounds different.
Let's see how the nose is formed.
The nose is much more complex than it looks from the outside. Let's break it down into two parts: the outer parts and the inner parts.
Outer parts of the nose
These are the parts we see when we look in a mirror. They are mainly made up of bone, cartilage, and fatty tissue.
- Nasal root: The top part of the nose where it connects to the face, between the two eyebrows.
- Nasal apex: The lowest part of the nose. The rounded tip where the nostrils are located.
- Nasal dorsum: The middle part of the nose between the base and tip. Many people call this the "nose bridge."
Everyone's nose shape is different. The main reason for that is the shape and size of these bones and cartilages. It's as unique as our fingerprints.
The complex world inside the nose
The structures inside the nose perform many of the main functions of the nose. Let's understand these with the help of a table.
| Internal Part | Its Function |
|---|---|
| Nostrils/Nares | The two openings through which air enters and exits the body. |
| Nasal cavities | The two hollow spaces inside the nostrils. Air passes through these. These are lined with mucous membranes that produce mucus. |
| Nasal wall (Septum) | The middle wall made of bone and cartilage that separates the two nasal cavities from each other. |
| Nose hairs | The first protective measure is to prevent things like large dust particles and insects in the air from entering the nose. |
| Cilia | These are much finer, fiber-like structures than nasal hairs. They constantly move in the same direction, pushing fine dust particles and germs that are stuck in the mucous membrane towards the throat. We then swallow or spit them out. |
| Turbinates (Turbinates/Conchae) | Bony folds in the walls of the nasal cavity. These increase the surface area over which air passes, allowing more room for warming and moistening the air. |
| Paranasal sinuses | Air-filled cavities in the bones of the face around the nose. These produce mucus to keep the nose moist. Sinusitis is caused by an infection in these cavities. |
| Olfactory nerves | These special nerve cells, located at the top of the nasal cavity, are what detect smells and send messages to the brain. |
What are the most common diseases and conditions of the nose?
There is hardly anyone who has not faced a nasal problem at least once in their life. Nasal congestion is the most common of them. The cause can be a virus, a bacterial infection (like a cold), or an allergy. In addition, there are several other conditions that affect the nose.
| Condition | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Broken nose | Fracture of the bones or cartilage of the nose due to an accident, fall, or impact while playing sports. |
| Chronic sinusitis | An infection of the sinus cavities surrounding the nose that lasts for weeks or months. Symptoms include facial pain, fever, and thick mucus. |
| Deviated septum | Deviation of the septum separating the two nasal cavities to one side. This can cause frequent nasal congestion and snoring. |
| Allergy (Hay fever / Allergic rhinitis) | Nasal reaction to dust, pollen, animal dander, etc. Symptoms include frequent sneezing, runny nose, and itchy nose and eyes. |
| Nasal polyps | Painless, soft growths in the nasal cavity or sinuses. When these become large, they can interfere with breathing. |
| Nosebleed / Epistaxis | Bleeding occurs when the delicate blood vessels inside the nose burst. This can be caused by excessive dryness, excessive nose picking, or other medical conditions. |
Do you also have these symptoms?
If there is a problem with your nose, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Loss or decreased sense of smell (anosmia)
- Feeling pain or pressure around the nose and face
- Postnasal drip
- Runny nose (Rhinorrhea)
- Frequent sneezing
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion, feeling of heaviness
What are the treatments for nose problems?
Treatment for nasal problems depends on the cause. For a simple cold, getting plenty of rest and drinking warm fluids may be enough. However, some conditions require medical attention.
- Medications: Doctors recommend antihistamines for allergies and nasal decongestants for stuffy noses. It is important to always use these only under medical advice.
- Nasal endoscopy: A thin tube with a camera inserted into the nose to examine the inside. This can help diagnose diseases and perform some treatments.
- Surgery: Some conditions require surgery.
- Septoplasty: Surgery to straighten a deviated nasal septum.
- Rhinoplasty: Surgery to change the shape of the nose.
- Sinus surgery: A surgery performed to treat chronic sinus infections.
How to keep your nose healthy?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So there are a few simple things we can do to keep our noses healthy.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke damage the delicate tissues of the nose.
- Be careful when removing nose hair: Nose hairs are part of our defense system. It is not advisable to remove them completely. If necessary, carefully trim only the visible part with scissors.
- Drink plenty of water: When the body gets enough water, the mucous membranes in the nose stay moist and healthy.
- Keep your home clean: Clean your home regularly to reduce dust and other allergens. Wash bedding and other items frequently.
- Nasal irrigation: If you work in a dusty environment or have allergies, you can keep your nose clean by rinsing it with saline. You can use a saline nasal spray or a Neti pot, which are available at pharmacies. However, it is important to follow the correct procedure when using these.
- Maintain humidity in the air: The air can become dry, especially if you are in air-conditioned rooms. You can add moisture to the air by using a humidifier .
When do you need to see a doctor?
It is very important to see a doctor if a common cold does not get better within a few days or if any of the following conditions are present:
- If you have frequent nosebleeds.
- If there are signs of infection (fever, yellow or green thick mucus).
- If you have severe pain or pressure in the face or sinus area.
- If sleep is disrupted due to nasal congestion (conditions such as severe snoring or sleep apnea).
- If you are concerned about the appearance of your nose or if it has changed after an accident.
Remember, don't ignore a nose problem. It could be a symptom of a more serious condition. So if you have any doubts, see your doctor immediately.
Now you probably understand how valuable our nose is to our bodies, even though we use it all the time, but we don't think much about it. Therefore, keeping our nose healthy is a great help to our overall health.
Take-Home Message
- The nose is an essential organ that helps us breathe, smell, filter the air, warm it, and influence our voice.
- Cilia and mucous membranes inside the nose act as an important defense system that protects us from germs and dust.
- Don't ignore symptoms such as frequent nasal congestion, nosebleeds, facial pain, or loss of smell if they persist.
- Simple habits like avoiding smoking, drinking plenty of water, and keeping your home clean can help protect nasal health.
- Always consult your doctor for any nose-related problem, especially if it persists for a long time.
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