Talking Sleep The Nose and OSA: Why the Nose Always Seems to Know
May 5, 2023
Jolie Chang, an otolaryngologist and UCSF sleep surgery chief, explains how the nose does much more than pass air. She discusses nasal functions, the nasal cycle and positional congestion. Practical tips cover nasal care, spray technique, CPAP interactions, and realistic goals for nasal surgery. The conversation covers valve collapse, empty nose syndrome, and strategies to improve CPAP tolerance.
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How To Aim Nasal Steroid Sprays
- Teach patients to insert the spray tip and aim toward the top of the same ear to deliver medication posteriorly and avoid the septum.
- Instruct them to spray, breathe in, then repeat on the other side to reduce dryness and nosebleeds.
Nasal Therapy Improves Symptoms More Than AHI
- Topical nasal steroids can produce small but sometimes significant reductions in AHI and meaningful symptom improvements.
- Medical or surgical nasal treatments often improve sleepiness and CPAP tolerance even if AHI change is modest.
Set Realistic Goals For Nasal Surgery
- Set realistic goals: nasal surgery usually improves nasal airflow and CPAP tolerance but rarely cures moderate–severe OSA alone.
- Consider surgery mainly to improve quality of life and CPAP adherence, especially for positional or mild OSA.