J Rhinol.  1999 Nov;6(2):140-144.

The Effects of Alcohol on Nasal Patency and Mucociliary Clearance

• Kwon SH
• Seo SY

Abstract

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifteen healthy volunteers were studied to evaluate the effects of alcohol ingestion on nasal mucosa over time and changes in mucociliary function after alcohol ingestion. Nasal patency was evaluated with acoustic rhinometry, and mucociliary clearance was measured with a saccharine test.
RESULTS
The cross-sectional area of the I-notch and the Cnotch did not change after alcohol ingestion. The cross-sectional area of the posterior part of the nasal cavity (CA 6.4) indicated changes more prominently than that of the anterior part (CA 3.3). A significant reduction in total nasal volume was first noted at 1.5 hours after alcohol ingestion and lasted for 1.5 hours. The saccharine transit time did not change significantly.
CONCLUSION
There was no acute impairment of mucociliary function at moderate concentrations of alcohol.

Keyword

Alcohol; Nasal patency; Mucociliary clearance

MeSH Terms

Eating
Healthy Volunteers
Mucociliary Clearance*
Nasal Cavity
Nasal Mucosa
Rhinometry, Acoustic
Saccharin
Saccharin