Summary 2
In this article doctors discuss the claim of how beneficial and detrimental it can be to blow your nose while you have a cold. Some doctors argue that blowing your nose can reverse the flow of mucus into the sinuses and slowing the drainage process. A doctor at the University of Virginia conducted research which consisted of CT scans and various other measurements such as dye dripped into their nasal cavities while the subjects coughed, sneezed and blew their noses. They found that both coughing and sneezing both generated little amounts of pressure in the nasal cavities but blowing your nose created a high amount of pressure equivalent to that of diastolic blood pressure. They speculate that blowing your nose could repeatedly shoot the viruses or bacteria back into the sinuses which could ultimately cause further infection.
A doctor from New York University suggested a proper method for blowing your nose can be demonstrated by blowing one nostril at a time, and taking decongestants can be helpful in preventing a buildup of pressure. Although they didn’t come up with concrete evidence they proved that blowing your nose can create a buildup of excess pressure in sinus cavities.
Citation
O'Connor, Anahad. "The Claim: Never Blow Your Nose When You Have a Cold ". The New York Times. 2/12/2009
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