Nasal Reaction to Changes in Whole Body Temperature

Abstract

The changes in nasal patency following a 1.5°C decrease or increase in whole body temperature were measured in 8 healthy young males, during and after 30 min of immersion in a 15°C cold or a 40°C warm bath, breathing air at the same temperature, in a cross-over experimental design. The nasal reactions were traced by consecutive measurements of changes in nasal cavity volumes by acoustic rhinometry. Swelling of the mucosa during cooling and an almost maximal shrinkage of the mucosa during heating were indicated by respectively a decrease and an increase in nasal cavity volumes. The reactions were determined predominantly by the whole body thermal balance, but were also influenced by the temperature of the inhaled air, either enhanced, reduced or temporarily reversed. The greatest change occurred in the nasal cavity, left or right, which differed most from the final state at the beginning of exposure due to the actual state of nasal cycle.

Key Words:

• acoustic rhinometry
• body temperature
• immersion
• nasal cavity volume
• nasal mucosa
• nasal patency