For individuals with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding effective treatment options is critical. One innovative solution is MyoTape, which supports nasal breathing while allowing necessary mouth puffing.
Mouth puffing occurs when a person breathes out through their mouth during sleep, this can happen intermittently or continuously and is often observed in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is a compensatory mechanism for nasal obstruction or relaxed upper airway muscles, particularly in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is crucial to use mouth tapes that allow for mouth puffing, especially when dealing with OSA. A crucial study explained how and why this is important.
The Science
A study aimed to explore the role of mouth puffing and upper airway features in OSA and to determine whether mouth-taping during sleep could alleviate the severity of the condition (Jau et al., 2023). The study involved 71 participants aged between 35 and 60, who underwent two nights of home sleep tests. On the first night, they slept normally, and on the second night, their mouths were taped. The researchers measured various parameters, including the oximetry desaturation index (ODI), which indicates drops in blood oxygen levels, and different types of mouth puffing.
Key Findings from the Study
- Improvement in Oxygen Levels: Mouth taping improved oxygen levels in 51.72% of participants. This indicates that for some individuals, mouth-taping can significantly enhance breathing efficiency during sleep.
- Role of Mouth Puffing: Participants with severe OSA showed a higher percentage of intermittent mouth puffing (IMP) compared to those with normal, mild, or moderate OSA. This suggests that mouth puffing is more prevalent in severe cases of OSA.
What Does This Mean?
The findings from the study underscore the critical role of mouth puffing in managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Mouth puffing acts as a natural compensatory mechanism, helping to maintain airflow and prevent airway collapse, especially in individuals with moderate to severe OSA. This phenomenon becomes more prevalent as the severity of OSA increases, indicating its importance in maintaining breathing stability during sleep.
The study revealed that while mouth taping can improve oxygen levels in over half of the participants, it is crucial that the tape used allows for mouth puffing. Completely sealing the mouth can obstruct this compensatory mechanism, potentially worsening the condition.
This is where MyoTape stands out as an innovative solution. Unlike traditional mouth tapes that cover the lips entirely, MyoTape allows mouth puffing to take place if necessary as it is worn surrounding the lips and does not cover the mouth, but has hole in the middle. The elastic tension from the tape helps bring the lips together to ensure nasal breathing and enhances overall sleep quality.
Furthermore, MyoTape was designed by renowned breathing expert and scientist, Dr. Patrick McKeown, with important studies like these in mind.
View our unique selection of mouth tapes in the online store and choose the perfect fit for you. We have mouth tapes for adults, for sensitive skin, for beards, for sports, and for kids.
References:
Jau JY, Kuo TBJ, Li LPH, Chen TY, Hsu YS, Lai CT, Yue WC, Huang PH, Yang CCH. Mouth Puffing Phenomenon and Upper Airway Features May Be Used to Predict the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Nat Sci Sleep. 2023 Apr 3;15:165-174. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37032816/
