Nasal cycle

Revision as of 14:11, 20 August 2012 by WikiBot (talk | contribs) (Robot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} +, -{{EH}} +, -{{EJ}} +, -{{Editor Help}} +, -{{Editor Join}} +))
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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. [1]

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.[2]

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. [3]

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[4] 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

References


de:Nasenzyklus

Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources