Effects of Caloric Stimulation to the Legs on Changes of Nasal Airway Resistance in Patients with Nasal Allergy

Abstract

Cold stimulation is known to induce nasal obstruction and accelerates the degree of nasal symptoms in patients with nasal allergy. To elucidate the effects of different caloric stimulation to the legs on the nose, nasal airway resistance (NAR) was measured by a rhinomanometer and the changes in the degree of nasal response to allergen-containing paper discs during caloric stimulation was also examined. For caloric stimulation, water of different temperatures, i. e., 47, 43, 37 and 20°C, was applied for five minutes and at 47 and 0°C for one minute.
Warm stimulations (47 and 73°C for five minutes) induced a decrease of the NAR. In contrast, cold stimulation (0°C for one minute) induced an increase of the NAR.
Warm stimulations (47 and 43°C for five minutes) tended to decrease the NAR in the nasal provocation by allergen, and stimulations of 47°C for five minutes decreased the degree of the nasal provocation reaction. On the other hand, cold stimulations (20°C for five minutes and 0°C for one minute) increased the NAR in the nasal provocation, and accelerated the nasal provocation reaction.
These results suggested that different caloric stimulations affect not only swelling of the nasal mucosa (nasal airway resistance), but also reflex-mediated nasal response (sneezing and nasal secretion) to allergen in different manners.