Nasal airway response to exercise

Abstract

Increased nasal airway patency with physical exercise has been a frequent observation of patients with allergic rhinitis. This response has been documented in a patient with allergic rhinitis in whom airway patency was measured by a rhino-manometric technique before and after handball exercise. In an additional six subjects, the phenomenon was further studied using a controlled step exercise. The mechanism of the nasal airway response to exercise was evaluated by autonomic stimulation and blockade. Intravenous infusion of epinephrine and norepinephrine failed to simulate the response to exercise. The exercise response was not significantly blocked by autonomic blockade with intramuscular phentolamine or intravenous guanethidine. Significant blockade occurred with topical phentolamine and especially with stellate ganglion block. These findings indicate that the main mechanism responsible for increased nasal airway patency with exercise is sympathetic nerve discharge. Other possible contributing factors are discussed. © 1968.