# Stuffy nose: Standing vs. Sitting.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 22, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455 "2003-12-22T14:50:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455/1 "2003-12-22T14:50:55Z")

</div>

Usually, while sitting, my nose can become quite stuffy when in the midst of a cold. But when I stand up, it magically gets better and is much easier to clear my nose. What’s going on here?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pennystheman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@pennystheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pennystheman)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455/2 "2003-12-24T06:55:43Z")

</div>

I think it has something to do with the evolutionary process. If you get on your hands and knees or lay facedown, it will clear out your sinus cavity as well.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![johnolsovsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@johnolsovsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnolsovsky)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455/3 "2003-12-24T08:05:07Z")

</div>

I’ve experienced this same phenomenon myself and the difference can be quite dramatic and instantaneous. Lying down only exacerbates the congestion. I have to assume it is due to blood pressure – that while standing, blood pressure in your head decreases to such a level as to alleviate congestion. The congestion then must be caused more by dialated blood vessels in the sinuses than by mucous.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![corvidae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@corvidae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corvidae)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuffy-nose-standing-vs-sitting/220455/4 "2003-12-24T13:51:26Z")

</div>

I’ve noticed this, too. Sometimes when I’m really congested, jumping up and down helps. Weird, huh?