For the same reason that your feet swell up and hurt after a long day standing up. To quote Dr. Ernest Zander, of Winthrop Consumer Products: “Nasal obstruction, produced by a great variety of conditions, usually seems worse to a patient when he is lying down. This is because tissue fluids and blood tend to pool in the head more when he is recumbent than when he is standing.”

Of course, one is generally more likely to feel tired and worn out at night. But the doctors who Imponderables consulted indicated that reclining for long periods of time will worsen symptoms- one reason why often we feel lousy despite the “luxury” of being able to lie in bed all day long when we are sick.

From: When do fish sleep? by: David Feldman

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