Researchers Find Alternative to CPAP for Sleep Apnea TreatmentNew Nasal Spray Shows Promise in Treating Common Sleep Apnea Disorder. Credit: newatlas.com

Sleep apnea, a common sleep-related breathing disorder, can have a negative impact on both physical health and well-being. However, the current treatment options are limited to poorly tolerated positive pressure masks (CPAP) and, in severe cases, surgery. Fortunately, a new nasal spray has shown potential as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a recent trial.

OSA occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing a decrease or complete blockage of airflow. It is primarily caused by a combination of anatomical issues in the throat and inadequate muscle function during sleep. This can lead to a reduction in oxygen intake and frequent interruptions in sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and high blood pressure.

The most common treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine, which provides continuous positive airway pressure to keep the airway open. However, approximately half of patients find this treatment difficult to tolerate. In these cases, surgery may be recommended to address the underlying anatomical issues.

Researchers from Flinders University in Australia recently conducted a small trial using a nasal spray as a potential treatment for OSA. The nasal spray contained a potassium channel blocker, which was applied topically to the airway muscles in order to reduce the severity of OSA symptoms.

Ten individuals (five women and five men, with a mean age of 55) with OSA were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments:

The participants were primarily obese, had severe OSA, and did not experience excessive daytime sleepiness or insomnia.

Each participant completed three overnight sleep studies, with a week between visits. The researchers found that seven out of the ten participants showed a slight decrease in OSA severity when using the nasal spray with unrestricted breathing, compared to the placebo. Participants in this group also showed higher levels of oxygen saturation and lower morning blood pressure readings compared to those in the placebo group.

Interestingly, participants who were restricted to nose-only breathing did not experience any improvement in their symptoms, despite using the nasal spray with the potassium channel blocker. In fact, the researchers found that their breathing and upper airway muscle function tended to worsen when a chin strap was used.

These findings provide a potential new treatment option for individuals with OSA, and the researchers plan to conduct larger studies to further explore their initial results. The study was published in the journal Heart and Circulatory Physiology.

Source: newatlas.com
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