These dilators worked best if the snorers did not have another condition affecting their breathing during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Other studies have found more mixed results in how effective these treatments can be. A comprehensive literature review found no improvement in sleep apnea and a small improvement in snoring when Breathe Right strips were used.
Aside from a possible skin reaction from the adhesive used with the external nasal dilators, or injury to the skin with the removal, there are likely few risks for adverse side effects with either of these types of products.
Though nasal dilator strips may improve snoring, they do not treat sleep apnea. Using the strips to reduce symptoms may give a false sense of confidence in the effectiveness of the therapy. Another alternative is an internal nasal dilator, which is a plug inserted into the nostrils that remains in place during sleep.
A literature review found that internal dilators showed a slightly larger improvement in snoring as compared with the external nasal strips. There is also a prescription option called Provent and a similar non-prescription variation called Theravent.
After drawing air into the nose, these reduce the amount of air exhaled. They try to create an increased volume of air in the airway to help stabilize it, thus reducing the vibration of snoring. In general, nasal dilators are easy to use and they may be a reasonable option in those who snore despite attempting other conservative treatments.
They may be worth a trial to see if they are helpful. However, nasal dilators may not be right for you, especially if you have sleep apnea. What are some other ideas? Consider these options:. If you have persistent snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping or choking, or other symptoms or signs of sleep apnea, talk to your healthcare provider about further evaluation.
It may be necessary to undergo a sleep study to identify the condition. Treatment may include the use of continuous positive airway pressure CPAP machine, an oral appliance from a dentist, or even surgery on the nose or throat. All of these may completely eliminate snoring. If you have persistent snoring, you should seek additional medical evaluation. For more information, speak with your doctor who may refer you to a board-certified sleep medicine physician for testing and definitive treatment.
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Pulm Med. Effect of the external nasal dilator Breathe Right on snoring. Eur J Med Res. Shortness of breath is an uncomfortable condition that can make it hard to carry out daily tasks. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest Our willing guinea pig tried all three devices at once — not advised if you want to be able to breathe. Photo via Jase Peeples. What is it? Share on Pinterest Yes, it looks ridiculous. Share on Pinterest It promises not only to stop snoring but also purify the air.
Share on Pinterest The classic anti-snoring device. Trying it. Share on Pinterest This seemed to make breathing more difficult. Share on Pinterest The most famous anti-snoring device seemed to help. What the experts think. Would we try it again? Written by Jase Peeples on June 21, Read this next.
Snoring: A Wake Up Call to Bigger Health Problems New research shows that snorers may be at greater risk for a major health problem and should seek treatment for their nightly log-sawing orchestra. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. What Is Diaphragmatic Breathing? Thoracentesis: What You Need to Know. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. Use the images below to place them in the right spot. You are now leaving the Breathe Right site and moving to an external website independently operated and not managed by FCB.
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