Perhaps a deviated septum?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviated_septum


Sinus problems are commonly attributed to a psychological state of 'overwhelment'.

I don't know why, but try painting iodine on it. You can mix with a little Vit.C to make it clear so you can paint regularly. Be sure and paint it over that cheek as well which is the sinus cavity associated with that nostril. It might be a deviated septum, but it might also be a fungus infection. I painted regular Lugol's solution on my sinus cavities (facial cheeks area). I knew which side was the culprit because the color from the Lugols totally dissappeared in 2 hours. And yes, my clogged head improved! The other cheek took 8 hours to go away. But by mixing with Vit. C in a little water, you can keep painting. The Vit. C also gets absorbed! One time the Lugol's color suddenly appeared so I knew that the Vit. C was absorbed faster that the iodide. I put a little more Vit. C in water on the areas and the color went away and stayed away.

Have you ruled out a physical blockage?

If you have, this might be of use to you as a starting point:


http://www.yoga-in-daily-life.org/articles/show.asp?id=20030716201


Brain activity influences the pattern of our breathing

We know that there exists the so called nasal cycle which is influenced by our central nervous system and that it contains a period when we can breathe more easily through the left nostril and another analogous period for the right nostril. This is connected with changes in cerebral hemispheric dominance which was proved with EEG recordings showing that higher activity of the right brain hemisphere results in easier breathing through the left nostril and the higher activity of the left brain hemisphere results in easier breathing through the right nostril and that this cycle changes every 25 to 200 minutes (3). So when we breathe more easily through the left nostril, the functioning of the right brain hemisphere is more pronounced and dominant than the left. Easier breathing through the right nostril, on the other hand, means that the left brain hemisphere is currently dominating. When we can breathe equally through both nostrils there is some kind of balance between left and right brain hemisphere functions and throughout the nervous system. Interestingly this happens mainly in the time of dawn, midday and sunset when the vital energies of nature are at their strongest.

Can we influence the brain activity by practising pranayama?

But what is even more interesting is that, besides this influence of the brain on our breathing process, the influencing also works the other way around – in other words, we can use our breathing to influence the brain. By practising the alternating breathing through the left and right nostrils we can naturally balance the functioning of both brain hemispheres (11). Careful observation of our body and breathing can show us which part of our nervous system is more dominant in a given moment and enable us to act in accordance with it. By that we can, through conscious effort, influence the functions of different brain centres. We can also increase the perception of mental and physical energy and awaken feelings of alertness and enthusiasm, thus creating a positive mood (7). These discoveries are the results of many studies dealing with the selective stimulation of brain hemispheres through alternate nostril breathing (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).

Breathing through the left nostril stimulates the right brain hemisphere and intensifies the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system. This is connected with a slowing-down of the heart rate and consequently greater stroke volume of the heart (greater amount of blood is pressed out of the heart per beat, as a consequence of lower heart rate) (12).

Breathing through the right nostril stimulates the left brain hemisphere and the sympathetic nervous system. This results in accelerated heart rate, higher blood pressure, greater consumption of oxygen by the body cells and constriction of the blood vessels of the skin (13), thus preserving body temperature (which explains how some yogis can be totally oblivious to extreme weather conditions).

One study reports changes in the concentration of blood plasma catecholamines and their correlation with the nasal cycle (14). Catecholamines are hormones, which regulate many body functions and are secreted upon stimulation of the sympathetic nervous impulses. This happens in conditions of mental and physical stress (pain, cold, heat, oxygen deficiency, fear, anger). Catecholamines trigger the release of glucose and fats (as energy sources) that are stored within the body. They also cause constriction of the blood vessels and increased blood pressure, heart rate and strength of heart contractions. Additionally, they dilate the bronchi, increase the basal metabolism of the body and mental activity and promote the body's capability to coagulate blood. There are many more effects of sympathetic stimulation but let it suffice to mention the above most important ones. It has been frequently observed that people who suffer from some anatomical changes in the nose (deviated nasal septum, etc.) and breathe mainly through the right nostril, stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and consequently they have problems with high blood pressure. A simple remedy for this is a small operation of the nasal septum after which they can breath equally through the both nostrils and the levels of blood pressure soon normalise.

Alternate nostril breathing (as in nadi sodhan pranayama) balances the functioning of the left and right brain hemispheres (11), improves spatial orientation and spatial memory (left nostril), improves verbal expression (right nostril) and cognition (4)(6)(8)(15). The latter enables us to gain knowledge about the world around us, to analytically define it, to formulate memories and, based on our experiences, to plan and act accordingly. Among mentally handicapped children, a considerable improvement of cognitive functioning and social adaptation was achieved by practising pranayama, asanas and short meditations, for five hours a week. The improvement was clearly more pronounced in this group of children than in the control group in which children did not practise any yogic techniques (16). We mentioned that with the help of alternate nostril breathing it is possible to also influence the heartbeat. When we lower the frequency of the heartbeat (by practising exercises such as nadi sodhan pranayama) we allow our heart to rest a little bit longer than usual between two consecutive contractions. This additional resting allows the heart to be filled with larger quantities of blood and to contract with greater strength, thereby strengthening the heart muscle and maintaining it in better condition.

this may actually be something you were born with. we are all asymmetrical in one way or another. women are more aware of this than men, for obvious(to me, being a mammal and all) reasons.

have you talked to an ear, nose and throat guy? not to seek treatment so much as to get the opinion of someone who has seen a lot of nostrils. if it bothered me , thats what i would seek - experience. there may also be some good info and pictures on the web these days. google ear, nose and throat or simply ENT or a combination of those and nasal passage or blockage, etc.

let us know what you find out, please?

Blocked right nostril :

You should be breathing alternatively through the right and left nostril, in cycles of 1 to 1 and a half hours, with a couple of minutes through both nostrils when the change happens.

If one of the nostrils is blocked, generally this is because
- you were not born with symetrical sinuses
- your nose has been broken and badly set
- you had some kind of surgery on your nose
- your corresponding sinus is blocked
- you have a disrupted energy circulation

You can reverse this by willfull breathing through the blocked nostril. Repeated stimulation of that nostril will help cure the sinus, relax the area, stretch the passage and bring back a harmonious energy circulation.

To unblock right nostril (from best to less satisfactory) :
- put your right hand under your left armpit with thumb on the chest and fingers under the arm and press firmly. After 5 or 10 minutes your right nostril will open. Persevere!
- lie down on a firm surface on your left side until the right nostril opens
- block your left nostril with the thumb and breathe only through the right for a while until it is easy and when you take your hand away you go on breathing through the right nostril.

Try to breathe through your right nostril when you are being physically active. There are timings for this and it is all related to TIME and to electrical influences.

At least you should know this :
- problems with right nostril breathing are a consequence and a cause of sluggish bowel mouvements and constipation. You should try right nostril breathing to help with this if you need.
- you should eat at a time when you are breathing through the right nostril. Digestion happens during right nostril activity.

When you wake up you should be breathing from one nostril for 3 days, then from one nostril for the following 3 days. Observe your breath. Being conscious of your breath is an act which does influence the way you breathe.
Best wishes!

I know this is a bit late to respond but have you had any upper root canals done? I have had one done a while back and now have a chronic blocked nostril...just wondering if others have been experiencing something like this..