A pit can be a cavity, hole, or depression. Nasal , for its part, is that linked to the nose : the prominent organ that is located between the mouth and the forehead.
With these ideas clear, it is very easy to understand what the nasal passages are. These are the holes at the end of the nose, separated from each other by a partition (the nasal septum).
These nostrils allow air to enter and exit in and out of the body: if their nostrils are blocked, therefore, a person cannot breathe normally. These cavities are the beginning of the respiratory system and are key to the sense of smell.
When air enters the nasal passage, larger particles are retained by the villi and mucus in the area. The air is also heated and humidified as it moves towards the lungs.
The superficial sector of the nasal passages is covered with skin and has a cartilaginous structure. The holes at the base of the nose, meanwhile, are called nostrils . On the inside, the nasal passages are bony cavities that penetrate the skull, whose walls are covered by mucous membranes.
These mucous membranes located inside the nasal passages produce mucus , a viscous substance that provides protection to the body. It is for this reason that the nose is considered the body's first resource to defend ourselves against infectious diseases , since it constantly blocks the entry of germs into our body. Since the nostrils not only warm the air but also filter it, it is recommended to breathe through the nose whenever possible, especially when we are away from home.
Of course, to breathe through the nose it is necessary to keep the nasal passages clean and avoid dryness, to prevent bacteria from proliferating. When for some reason excess mucus is generated, it can cause obstruction of the nasal passages , making breathing difficult. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nostrils, known as rhinitis, is another disorder that can cause nasal congestion .
One of the most common problems in this setting is nasal dryness . It is a combination of symptoms , in which we find the infection called rhinitis with nasal congestion. All this makes it impossible for the inner lining of the nasal passages to fulfill its function of maintaining humidity at a normal and favorable level. The greater the degree of congestion, the worse the impact of dryness on protection against external agents.
This disorder can arise from various causes, which are not limited to excess thick mucus in the nasal passages (something that many people believe), but most often comes from severe flu and colds , rhinitis, infections, allergies. , excessive use of nasal decongestion products or corticosteroids, exposure to smoke or other substances that can cause irritation .
In more technical terms, we can speak of sicca rhinitis , which occurs when the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed and dry, so that it cannot generate fluid. In addition to the causes mentioned in the previous paragraph, this problem can occur as a result of medications for acne, diabetes or cancer.
The morning is the time when the nasal passages are driest, and this is accentuated in cold weather. That is why it is important to protect them especially during the first hours of the day. And this does not always entail special practices or products, but often it is enough to treat our own body with love ; In the case of the nose, do not injure it when using tissues, for example.