October 14, 2011

Nasal Congestion Affected By How Well the Nose is Able to Cool Itself

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have figured out that nasal congestion is influenced by more than just nasal airflow. Apparently temperature and humidity influence the perception of nasal congestion just as much as how physically obstructed the nose is.

By having volunteers breath air with variations in temperature and humidity, they have determined that cool and dry air minimizes nasal congestion without any change in how open the nasal cavity is.

By taking into account other measured variables, they have deduced that nasal congestion is influenced by how well the nose is able to cool itself from the nasal airflow specifically. The more warm and humid the air is, the less able the nose is able to cool itself leading to perception of nasal congestion.

With actual nasal obstruction, it may be not so much that you can't breath that causes the feeling of nasal congestion, but rather the reduced ability of the nose to cool itself from the absence/reduction of air circulation within the nasal cavity.

So... if nasal cooling influences perception of nasal congestion, this may be one of many factors that may help explain the phenomenon of Empty Nose Syndrome. Patients suffering from Empty Nose Syndrome have an abnormally open nasal cavity from extensive surgical removal of internal nasal structures... yet complain the most bitterly about how congested their nose feels.

This information may also help guide treatment in patients with tracheostomy who also have a totally open nose, but because they breath thru an opening in the neck, have no nasal airflow in the nose which leads to the sense of nasal congestion.

Based on this new research, in these particular patient populations, providing allergy medications like steroid nasal sprays and anti-histamines may not be the best way of addressing nasal congestion.

Clearly, more research is needed on this topic, but certainly opens other new avenues of possible treatment protocols.


Reference:
Perceiving Nasal Patency through Mucosal Cooling Rather than Air Temperature or Nasal Resistance. PLoS ONE 6(10): e24618. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024618
Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.

You might be interested in reading...

  • Causes of Constant Phlegmy Throat Video
    12/01/2019 - 0 Comments
    Given how often I see adults with a persistent throat phlegm complaint that has been going on for…
  • New Epi-Pen Design
    03/18/2010 - 4 Comments
    Patients may have noticed that the Epi-Pen now looks different. The "old" epipen was completely circular…
  • Sulfa vs Sulfate vs Sulfur vs Sulfite Allergy
    11/18/2014 - 7 Comments
    Having a "sulfa" allergy is quite common... What is uncommon is understanding that being "sulfa" allergic…
  • Pollen Under the Microscope Appears Unearthly Beautiful Unlike the Misery They Cause!
    04/20/2010 - 0 Comments
    Using an electron microscope he has in his basement (no kidding), Swiss photographer Martin Oeggerli obtained…
  • Dr. Chris Chang Mentioned in a Medical Blog
    12/14/2010 - 0 Comments
    Dr. Chris Chang and his blog was mentioned in an article in another medical blog "Dr. John M" on December…
  • Dr. Chang Now a Contributing Author to Better Health Web Network
    01/18/2011 - 0 Comments
    Dr. Chang was recently invited to become a regular contributing author to Better Health and its syndicate…
  • A Single Sneeze Can Spread Throughout Entire Building
    05/03/2014 - 0 Comments
    MIT researchers using high-speed cameras and applying fluid dynamics have discovered that although…
  • Do Ear Candles Actually Remove Earwax? [video]
    12/29/2012 - 5 Comments
    About once a week, I have a patient who presents to my clinic with a history of ear candling for earwax…

Banner Map

Pediatric Neck Masses

Adult Neck Mass Workup