title: The effect of smoking on physiological decongestion of the nasal mucosa in human.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise is known to decongest the nasal mucosa which results in increased nasal patency. In a recent study it was suggested that smoking might influence the effect of exercise on the nasal mucosa. This implies that smoking may cause neurological damage to the normal nasal physiology, which has not previously been shown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was a difference in nasal mucosal reaction to exercise between smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two smokers and non-smokers underwent acoustic rhinometry to register nasal geometry before and after cycling on an ergometer cycle. A structured interview was used for questions about smoking habits and airway symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both smokers and non-smokers had a significant increase in MCA (minimal cross-section area) and total nasal volume after exercise. There was no statistical significant difference between smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking does not seem to affect the normal physiological decongestion of the nasal mucosa after exercise.
authors: Linköping University , Linköping, Sweden.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Thorold
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Thorvold
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bende
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology