EFFECT OF NASAL SPRAY, POSITIONAL THERAPY, AND THE COMBINATION THEREOF IN THE ASYMPTOMATIC SNORER

The benefits of using a nasal decongestant, sleeping on one's side and the combination thereof were studied in 20 asymptomatic male snorers. Both the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and snoring were evaluated. Four consecutive nocturnal polysomnographic studies were done. Night 1 was a control; the other 3 nights were randomly assigned to nasal decongestant, best sleeping position and a combination of the two. Results were calculated based on sleep period time. The mean control AHI +/- the standard error of the mean (SEM) was 17.5 +/- 6.5. AHI improved to 14.1 +/- 6.3 with sleep in the best position (p = 0.03). The AHI also improved to 13.2 +/- 6.04 with both nasal decongestant and position (p = 0.0012). Using nasal decongestant alone, the mean AHI was 18.1 +/- 6.3 (p = 0.765). During the control night, the mean number of snores/hour +/- SEM was 356 +/- 46.0. Using nasal decongestant alone, the mean number of snores was 381 +/- 50.4 (p = 0.50). With position alone, the mean number of snores was 356 +/- 46.0 (p = 0.8). Using the combination of nasal decongestant and position, mean snores were 352 +/- 48.9 (p = 0.91). In conclusion, a statistically significant improvement in AHI was produced using the general measures of altering the position of the body during sleep and by the combination of nasal decongestant and positional change. There was no significant change in snoring using any of these general measures.