Dichotomous physiological effects of nocturnal external nasal dilation in heavy snorers: the answer to a rhinologic controversy?

The purpose of this article was to study the impact of external dilation on nasal airway dimensions, sleep architecture, and snoring. Eighteen heavy snorers without severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 9.3) reporting nocturnal nasal obstruction were enrolled in a randomized (controlled) cross-over study, evaluating subjective and objective effects of external nasal dilation (Breathe Right, 3M).

Does the oral device Noiselezz prevent sleep apnoea?

Both snoring and apnoea are caused by the collapse of soft tissue in the upper airways during sleep. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the airways in these segments by moving the mandible and/or the tongue forward stabilizes the upper airways in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Noiselezz, which is an oral appliance of the mandibular advancing type, designed for easy use.

Diagnosing respiratory events and tracing air flow by internal thermistors.

We have developed a new method to measure flow in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). These flow sensors are modified thermistors located in the same sensors we use for pressure measurement in the upper airways to find the obstructive segments during apnoeas. The aim of this study was to test if using internal thermistors as indicator of air flow has advantages compared with the external thermistor method in detecting respiratory events.

Tracing air flow and diagnosing hypopnoeas in normal subjects.

Hypopnoea is a type of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD), and the apnoea plus hypopnoea index (AHI) is usually computed to diagnose this condition. We introduce a new method to diagnose flow with internal thermistors located on the same sensors as we use to diagnose obstructive segments in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether internal thermistors are reliable for diagnosis of hypopnoeas.