Nasal cycle

WikiDoc Resources for Nasal cycle
Articles
Most recent articles on Nasal cycle Most cited articles on Nasal cycle Review articles on Nasal cycle Articles on Nasal cycle in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Nasal cycle Images of Nasal cycle Photos of Nasal cycle Podcasts & MP3s on Nasal cycle Videos on Nasal cycle
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Nasal cycle Bandolier on Nasal cycle TRIP on Nasal cycle
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Nasal cycle at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Nasal cycle Clinical Trials on Nasal cycle at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Nasal cycle NICE Guidance on Nasal cycle NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Nasal cycle CDC on Nasal cycle
Books
Books on Nasal cycle
News
Nasal cycle in the news Be alerted to news on Nasal cycle News trends on Nasal cycle
Commentary
Blogs on Nasal cycle
Definitions
Definitions of Nasal cycle
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Nasal cycle Discussion groups on Nasal cycle Patient Handouts on Nasal cycle Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasal cycle Risk calculators and risk factors for Nasal cycle
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Nasal cycle Causes & Risk Factors for Nasal cycle Diagnostic studies for Nasal cycle Treatment of Nasal cycle
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Nasal cycle
International
Nasal cycle en Espanol Nasal cycle en Francais
Business
Nasal cycle in the Marketplace Patents on Nasal cycle
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Nasal cycle

The nasal cycle is the rhythmic, alternating side-to-side fluctuation in nasal airflow. It is known to be regulated by the autonomic nervous system probably from the centres located in brainstem.

Nasal Cycle is the name given by western medicine for the readily noticeable pattern in human breathing - we do not breath equally (50:50) using both nostrils. At any given time, either the left or the right nostril is more actively breathing. Further, this one-sidedness reverses on a periodic basis. Much research has been done on the duration of nasal cycle.

Although readily noticeable, for some reason, this phenomenon has received very little attention under Western Medicine. The phenomenon was first noted by Kayser, a German rhinologist in Breslau, 1895.

On the other hand, this alternate-nostril-breathing is central to various breathing practices such as Pranayama, in Yoga and also in various systems of Alternative medicines. As per these systems, breathing pattern is directly linked to the working of our minds. Balancing the left and right sides of the mind is ultimately desired.

In the field of Neurosciences, researchers can measure 'how active' each cerebral hemisphere is, at baseline and while performing specific tasks. It has been known for a long time that an ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity exists in humans and animals. At any given time, either the left OR the right hemisphere of the brain is 'more active' than the other and this hemispherical dominance changes periodically. Recent findings in neuroscience have revealed that the nasal cycle is intricately linked to the ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity. Whenever the nasal cycle switches sides, the hemispheric dominance also seems to change. Although a clear association between the two has been established, causality is still arguable - whether the nostril-change causes the change in hemispherical-predominance or vice-versa.

See also

• Lateralization of brain function - to know more about the left and right cerebral hemispherical functions and the pseudoscientific exaggerations surrounding this concept.