General Medical Information

Positional Effect

Thomas V. Mccaffrey

Lateral recumbence produces congestion of the nasal chamber in the lower position and disrupts the normal cycle of alternating congestion and decongestion (nasal cycle). This phenomenon is a neural response to stimulation of pressure receptors on the surface of the body. If pressure is applied to the side of the body, congestion of the ipsilateral side of the nose occurs.