Mouth breathing during sleep is more than just a habit; it can lead to serious health issues, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing interruptions. This can lead to poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and other health problems. One innovative solution to this problem is the use of a porous oral patch (POP), commonly known as mouth tape.
The Study
A pilot study conducted by Huang and Young aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a porous oral patch in treating patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea and habitual mouth breathing during sleep (Huang & Young, 2015). The study involved 30 patients who had mild OSA, characterized by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 5 to 15 events per hour. The AHI measures the number of apnea (complete stoppage of breathing) and hypopnea (partial stoppage of breathing) events per hour of sleep.
The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center and used a prospective design. Patients were instructed to sleep with their mouths closed using the POP, a three-layered porous skin pad made of silicone, polyurethane foam, and polyurethane film. The effectiveness of the POP was assessed through both subjective and objective measures:
Subjective Measures: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for snoring were used to evaluate patients' perceptions of sleepiness and snoring.
Objective Measures: Polysomnography (a comprehensive sleep study) and cephalometry (imaging to measure airway dimensions) were used to assess changes in sleep apnea severity and airway structure.
Key Findings from the Study
The results of the study were promising:
- Reduction in Sleepiness: The ESS scores decreased from 8.1 to 5.2, indicating reduced daytime sleepiness.
- Reduction in Snoring: The VAS scores for snoring dropped from 7.5 to 2.4, showing a significant reduction in perceived snoring.
- Reduction in Snoring Intensity: Snoring intensity decreased from 49.1 decibels to 41.1 decibels.
- Reduction in Snoring Frequency: The median snoring index reduced from 146.7 events per hour to 40 events per hour.
- Improvement in Sleep Apnea: The AHI decreased from 12 events per hour to 7.8 events per hour, indicating a reduction in the severity of sleep apnea.
- Airway Dimensions: Cephalometric measurements showed an increase in the retropalatal and retrolingual spaces, suggesting that the airway was less likely to collapse.
The researchers concluded that using a porous oral patch is an effective way to treat mild obstructive sleep apnea and habitual mouth breathing during sleep. By keeping the mouth closed, the POP helps maintain proper airway function, reduce snoring, and improve overall sleep quality.
What Does This Mean?
For those suffering from mild sleep apnea or habitual mouth breathing, using a porous oral patch can be a simple yet effective solution. This method not only improves sleep quality but also reduces the risk of developing more severe health issues associated with sleep apnea.
MyoTape was designed with this study in mind. Dr. Patrick McKeown, who is a recognized breathing expert designed this simple yet powerful mouth taping solution for promoting nasal breathing and reducing mouth breathing. By using MyoTape, you'll breathe through your nose all night, resulting in fewer awakenings and improved oxygen levels. Even if you use a CPAP machine for managing OSA, MyoTape can be used to complement it, as it is an effective mouth tape for CPAP users.
This can greatly enhance the management of sleep apnea symptoms and boost your overall quality of life. MyoTape ensures consistent nasal breathing, making your sleep more fulfiling and comfortable. Experience the difference with MyoTape and wake up refreshed, visit the MyoTape shop now.
References:
Huang, T.-W., & Young, T.-H. (2015). Novel porous oral patches for patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea and mouth breathing: A pilot study. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery: Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 152(2), 369–373. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25450408/
