Crying can be a reaction to so many things. Weddings, funerals, a good movie…tears can be the all-around, all-purpose emotional response. Now, having a good cry can be a wonderful feeling. But what is not so wonderful? The stuffy, drippy nose that accompanies it. Why do noses get clogged when crying?
Here’s why…
the lateral wall of your nose (that is, the part up against your face), has three turbinates: inferior, middle, and superior. Each turbinate is a long, curling bone shelf shaped like sea-shell (which explains why turbinates are also called nasal concha). The turbinates divide your airway into separate grooves or passages, which allows the air you breathe to flow smoothly, and to become properly humidified before going through your ostia—the entrances to your sinuses.
The inferior turbinate is the largest of the turbinates, and can be as large as an index finger. It runs parallel to the floor of your nose. In between this turbinate and the floor of the nasal cavity is the inferior meatus. When you cry, some of the tears run down your face. But some of them drain from the lacrimal sac, up near your eyes, down the nasolacrimal duct to the inferior meatus. In the inferior meatus, the tears mix with the mucus that your sinuses produce, giving you a runny nose.
If your sinus problems are causing you tears (or vice-versa!) give us a call. We can help relieve your congestion, and maybe even cheer you up a little.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you cry, tears drain from the lacrimal sac near your eyes through the nasolacrimal duct into the inferior meatus of the nasal cavity. Here, the tears mix with mucus produced by your sinuses, causing the nasal passages to become congested and resulting in a stuffy or runny nose.
The turbinates are long, curled bony shelves inside the lateral wall of the nose, consisting of three parts: inferior, middle, and superior. They divide the airway into passages, helping to humidify and smooth airflow before air reaches the sinuses through the ostia.
The inferior turbinate is the largest of the three turbinates in the nasal cavity, running parallel to the floor of the nose. It is important because tears drain through the nasolacrimal duct into the inferior meatus beneath this turbinate, which can cause a runny nose when crying.
Tears produced in the eyes drain into the lacrimal sac and then flow down the nasolacrimal duct into the inferior meatus of the nasal cavity. This drainage pathway explains why crying often leads to a runny or stuffy nose.
Yes, sinus problems can cause nasal congestion and irritation, which may trigger tearing, while excessive tearing can contribute to nasal congestion by increasing mucus mixing in the nasal passages. Addressing sinus problems can often relieve both symptoms.
If crying leads to persistent nasal congestion or if you experience chronic sinus issues, it is advisable to consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist. They can assess your condition, provide relief for congestion, and help manage underlying sinus problems effectively.