Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2012 Apr;55(4):201-205. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.4.201.

The Role of Nose in Sleep and Sleep Disorder

• Park CS

• KMID: 2277344
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.4.201

Abstract

The pathophysiology and exact mechanism for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) have not been fully understood and the role of nose obstruction in SDB has been still controversial. However, considering that the nasal resistance contributes about half of total airway resistance and nose is the largest source in total airway resistance, it is hard to say there is no relation between nose and sleep/sleep disordered breathing. The transition from wakefulness to sleep causes major changes in many aspects of the human body, and many sleep factors (body position, sleep stage, air flow, etc.) can influence nose. Although many studies have attempted to elucidate the relationships between SDB and nasal obstruction or an improvement in nasal obstruction, there is general consensus that nasal obstruction is related to SDB, but the roles of nasal surgery alone in the treatment of SDB have been still on debate.

Keyword

Sleep apnea; Nasal obstruction; Nasal surgical procedures; Continuous positive airway pressure

MeSH Terms

Airway Resistance
Consensus
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Human Body
Nasal Obstruction
Nasal Surgical Procedures
Nose
Respiration
Sleep Apnea Syndromes
Sleep Stages
Wakefulness