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Most of us don’t think about our nose until it’s stuffed up, dripping and making our lives miserable.  

But maybe we should give our nose more thought, or at least some appreciation. Our nose warms the air we pull into our lungs, filters out irritants and helps us smell our morning coffee.

And it’s full of surprises. Did you know our two separate nostrils and nasal passages take turns being congested and decongested in an alternating rhythm called the nasal cycle?

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two ear, nose and throat doctors about how our nose works, what causes congestion, how to treat problems of the nasal passages and sinuses and why our sense of smell disappears when we get a cold.  

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You probably don’t think much about your nose, unless it’s stuffed up. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two doctors about the wonders of how our nose works, common nasal and sinus problems and how to treat them.

What to know about the nose

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