Improved nasal breathing reduces snoring and morning tiredness. A 6-month follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Dilation of the nasal valve region can increase the ability to breathe through the nose and reduce the negative intrathoracic pressure required for inspiration. Vibrations of the palate and soft tissues of the throat, which generate snoring sounds, can be prevented when patients inhale less heavily.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect a nostril dilator has on patient snoring and tiredness in the morning and to determine how many patients would continue to use the device for half a year.


METHODS
For 6 months, 42 men who were heavy snorers graded their average tiredness in the morning and the patient's sleeping partner graded the average snoring using a visual analog scale from 0 to 100.


METHODS
All patients were examined at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, in Skövde, Sweden.


RESULTS
When the nostril dilator was used there was a significant decrease in snoring after both 1- and 6-month reports. There was a significant correlation between diminution of snoring and less tiredness in patients in the morning. The compliance was good since 60% of patients continued to use the device during the 6-month test period.


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates the benefits that reducing nasal airway resistance during sleep has on snoring and morning tiredness in patients.
Löth
S
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
Petruson
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004106:Dilatation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D012913:Snoring / Q000517:prevention & control*