This question was one of the many I listed last week as an
unanswered question. A fellow runner and veterinarian saw
me at a race last weekend and said she knew the answer and
I asked her to send it to me. The following is the answer she sent;
“The name of this is Cold-Induced Vasomotor Rhinorrhea. Much of medical terminology is Latin or Greek based. Vaso refers to blood vessels. Motor, in this case, refers to movement of the blood vessels: constriction or dilation. Rhino for nose; -rrhea means to flow or run. Therefore, this little hassle in cold weather is “a runny nose attributed to blood vessel actions, in this case, triggered by cold temperatures”.
As I recall from somewhere in my undergraduate physiology coursework before veterinary school, the cold temperatures affect (“paralyze” temporarily) the blood vessels in the nasal passages, leaving them less able to constrict/dilate. Clear, harmless fluid seeps out the tissues of your nose, so your nose runs.”
--Carolyn B. Fairless, DVM Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, class of 1989
Carolyn is an excellent runner and cyclist. Last year she went to the hardwarestore to buy some short wood screws to put into the surface of her running shoes.This was so she could continue to train when there was snow and ice on the trail.
Now that is one dedicated runner! She knows a thing about cold weather and runny noses. Thanks so much for taking the time to enlighten me and our readers.
If you have a weather question, send it to: askdan@kjrh.com
