Section: 
Science articles
Science articlesAge-related specific features of circadian nasal breathing variations
V. V. Shilenkova (1), O. V. Fedoseeva (1)
(1) Yaroslavl State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Yaroslavl, 150000, Russia
UDK: 616.211-008.4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2016-5-92-96
ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of airflow fluctuations in the in the nasal cavity is called the nasal cycle (NC). It is believed that the physiological process plays a certain role in the mechanisms of the nasal cavity mucous membrane defense from the impact of microtraumas and various malicious agents. The subjective of this investigation was to study the age-related NC changes. Patients and methods: a 24-hour monitoring of nasal airflow fluctuations was performed at the period of day-time awakeness and night sleep by means of rhinoflowmeter “Rhinocycle” in 33 healthy adults (16 men and 17 women) aged 18–80. The data were processed using operational computer program which provided a graphical representation of the nasal airflow fluctuations. Furthermore, prognostic dependencies of age-related NC changes were obtained using prognostic tools Maxima. Results: during the night sleep in the volunteers aged fewer than 35 the registered fluctuation phases were shorter than during the day-time awakeness. The airflow fluctuations in most cases were irregular at day time (78.8% of cases). On the contrary, classic and non-classic NC had almost equal occurrence (48.5% and 51.2%) during night sleep. With aging the period of airflow fluctuations became longer. Besides, its volume decreased. These changes were mainly observed in women. Conclusions: NC is registered in most healthy adult men and women. The nature of the nasal airflow fluctuations in daytime significantly differs from that during the sleep period.
Publication date:
07.10.2016
Keywords:
nasal cycle; rhinoflowmetry. For citation:
Shilenkova V. V., Fedoseeva O. V. Age-related specific features of circadian nasal breathing variations. Rossiiskaya otorinolaringologiya. 2016;5:92-96. https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2016-5-92-96