# Why does my nose often run while I defectate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 11, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742 "2009-04-11T14:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/1 "2009-04-11T14:58:46Z")
I’ve noticed that often while I defecate, my nose begins to run. Why is this? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/2 "2009-04-11T15:14:48Z")
To get away from the smell? 😃 I know we’re not supposed to joke on the first answer in GQ but this was just too good an opening. I did do a quick search and nothing came up in the first three pages showing any link. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/3 "2009-04-11T15:40:36Z")
Perhaps posture? Leaning forward, head down, could cause nasal drainage forward instead of into your throat. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/4 "2009-04-11T17:22:50Z")
Maybe you are allergic to something in that room, such as mold or mildew. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/5 "2009-04-11T17:24:21Z")
Could someone be allergic to his own crap? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/6 "2009-04-11T17:32:01Z")
hm, doesnt straining at elimination cause intercranial pressure to increase? Can that possibly cause it? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/7 "2009-04-11T18:48:54Z")
Defecating might cause you to relax as you s(h)it there. There have been various threads about how moving about keeps airways clearer than sitting still. You might have sinusitis or some other mild/chronic issue and when you are s(h)itting and relaxed, nasal drip and/or congestion are more like likely. ---
**Author:** ![SeanArenas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/8 "2009-04-11T19:24:52Z")
I think it has to do with the fluid pressure in your body. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/9 "2022-06-20T14:44:32Z")
[Runny Nose When Pooping | Men’s Health](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19544845/runny-nose-when-pooping/#:~:text=It's%20called%20defecation%20rhinorrhea%2C%20and,poop%20in%20the%20first%20place). ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/10 "2022-06-20T19:08:37Z")
Well, that was unexpected. I’m glad you found your answer, even if it took nearly a decade and a half. Thanks for updating. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/11 "2022-06-20T19:41:31Z")
I answered this one after 20 years: [A rather simple question about Blade film - #18 by Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-rather-simple-question-about-blade-film/94209/18) ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/12 "2022-06-20T19:44:42Z")
But for this one, you answered your own question. That makes it a little bit different. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/13 "2022-06-20T20:45:23Z")
Judging from your avatar, you never managed to catch your nose. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/14 "2022-06-21T15:30:50Z")
I suffer from this condition, and I figured I was the only one. Thanks for updating! ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-nose-often-run-while-i-defectate/492742/15 "2022-06-29T00:34:17Z")
Here’s another one of my own I answered but only 10 years later > [@On average, how often does the current world's oldest person die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-average-how-often-does-the-current-worlds-oldest-person-die/213030): > > In other words, how long on average does a person hold the title of world’s oldest person before they die? And to get the obvious joke about the awkward title out the way: “They only die once! Hyuk yuk yuk!”