The effect of cold water immersion on the nasal mucosa

Can Sex Improve Nasal Function?-An Exploration of the Link Between Sex and Nasal Function

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to examine the impact of sexual activity on nasal breathing and compare such effect to that of a nasal decongestant.

METHODS

We evaluated nasal breathing at 5 different times: (1) before sexual activity (baseline), (2) immediately after sexual activity, (3) 30 minutes, (4) 1 hour (5), and 3 hours after sexual climax. Same measurements were taken on the second day following application of nasal decongestant spray. For evaluation of nasal breathing, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS). Additionally, we used a portable rhinometric device to measure resistance and nasal flow.

RESULTS

Nasal breathing improved significantly after sexual intercourse with climax to the same degree as after application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes, as measured subjectively with the VAS (sex -3.6, P < .001; spray -3.2, P < .001). This was confirmed in the objective rhinometric data as mean nasal flow (mL/s) increased while resistance decreased immediately (flow sex +214, P < .001; flow spray +235, P < .001), 30 (flow sex +249, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001), and 60 minutes (flow sex +180, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001) post-intervention. Nasal breathing was back to the baseline level after 3 hours following sexual intercourse, while it continued to be improved for longer after application of nasal decongestant. Only participants having nasal obstruction (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score >30) showed nasal function improvement after sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual intercourse with climax can improve nasal breathing to the same degree as application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes in patients having nasal obstruction.

Nasal reflexes: implications for exercise, breathing, and sex

Nasal patency, with both congestion and decongestion, is affected in a wide variety of reflexes. Stimuli leading to nasal reflexes include exercise; alterations of body position, pressure, and temperature; neurologic syndromes; and dentistry. As anticipated, the vagal and trigeminal systems are closely integrated through nasobronchial and bronchonasal reflexes. However, perhaps of greater pathophysiologic importance are the naso-hypopharyngeal-laryngeal reflexes that become aggravated during sinusitis. None other than Sigmund Freud saw deeply beyond the facial adornment and recognized the deeper sexual tensions that can regulate nasal functions and psychoanalytical status. Wine, women, and song are linked with airflow through the nose-the nose, which by any other name would still smell as sweetly.

Expression of Fos protein in brainstem after application of l-menthol to the rat nasal mucosa

There are two functional pathways for the nasotrigeminal reflex: the spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve (SPV) to the Kölliker-Fuse (KF) nucleus and the nucleus of solitary tract (NTS) to the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBl). Although stimulation of the nasal mucosa by cool temperature induces respiratory depression, it is still unknown whether these nuclei are activated. In the present study, we examined the expression of Fos protein in rat brainstem neurons after nasal application of l-menthol, which is known to activate cold-sensitive nasal receptors. Application of l-menthol, but not paraffin oil, decreased the respiratory rate from 99.7+/-15.6 to 78.5+/-7.3 min(-1). Furthermore, a significantly higher density of Fos-immunoreactive cells was observed in the SPV and KF in the l-menthol rats than in the controls. In the SPV, the density of Fos-immunoreactive cells was highest at approximately 0.5mm rostral to the obex in both the l-menthol (48.5+/-11.5 cells/section) and paraffin oil (26.0+/-9.6 cells/section) groups. In the KF, the mean density of Fos-immunoreactive cells was highest at approximately 5.0mm rostral to the obex in both groups (l-menthol: 67.8+/-14.0 cells/section, control: 41.0+/-12.7 cells/section). The present study suggests that the SPV-KF pathway is important for the cold-induced respiratory depression.