• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.17-21
• /
• 2004

Nasal congestion is one of the most common symptoms of medical complaints. Snoring is caused by vibration of the uvula and the soft palate. Nasal obstruction may contribute not only to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but also impair application of continuous nasal positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is the most widely employed treatment for OSA. Total or near-total nasal obstruction leads to mouth breathing and has been shown to cause increased airway resistance. However, the exact role of the nasal airway in the pathogenesis of OSA is not clear and there is no consensus about the role of nasal obstruction in snoring and sleep apnea. Some reports have failed to demonstrate any correlation between snoring and nasal obstruction. On the other hand, opposing reports suggest that nasal disease may cause sleep disorders and that snoring can be improved after nasoseptal surgery. Reduced cross-sectional area causes increased nasal resistance and predisposes the patient to inspiratory collapse of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or both. Discrete abnormalities of the nasal airway, such as septal deformities, nasal polyps, and choanal atresia and with certain mucosal conditions such as sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and inferior turbinate hypertrophy can cause snoring or OSA. Thus, these sources of nasal obstruction should be corrected medically or surgically for the effective management of OSA and adjunctive for CPAP.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 1999

Background & Objectives : Nasal resistance which is halfly responsible for airway resistance is known to be influenced by hypoxia, hypercapnia, exercise, pregnancy, alcohol, ammonia and smoking. Smoking is a common part of our sociocultural environment and we have many a times been introduced to its various adverse effects, which have usually been more focused on lung problems. The purpose of this study is to determine any relationship between smoking and nasal resistance and to evaluate it's effective sites. Materials and Methods : Acoustic rhinometry was performed in 25 smokers and 25 nonsmokers who had no nasal symptoms nor abnormal rhinoscopic findings, and used an acoustic rhinometry to measure the distance from nose-piece to the C-notch, cross sectional area at the C-notch, and volume of the nasal cavity from nose-piece to 7cm. The authors compared the data between the two groups. Results : The cross sectional area at the C-notch was significantly decreased(p<0.05) in smoking group. The distance to the C-notch and the volume of nasal cavity were decreased likely in smoking group but there were no significant difference(p>0.05). Conclusion : Smoking reduced the cross sectional area at the C-notch, so increased the nasal resistance. The underlying mechanisms seems to be decreased nasal mucosal reactivity and congestion of the nasal mucosa. The authors believe there should follow more studies on pathophysiologic mechanisms and the histopathologic changes which involve the effect of smoking on nasal structures.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2000

Objectives: The sensitivity and accuracy of thermistor airflow signal has been debated. The purposes of this study were to compare apnea-hypopnea index(AHI) detected from a conventional thermistor signal and a nasal pressure transducer of airflow(NPT), to evaluate the value of NPT for the diagnosis of upper airway resistance syndrome(UARS), and to measure airway pressure fluctuations which produced respiratory arousals in UARS by naso-oro-esophageal manometer catheter. The subjects were 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [mild(540), 10), and 6 UARS patients. Airway resistance arousal in this study was defined as arousals which were not associated with apnea or hypopnea of thermistor signal, but showed significant decrease of nasal airflow pressure just before arousal and a prompt recovery of nasal airflow pressure after arousal. The airway pressure fluctuations were measured during 260 airway resistance arousals observed in 10 patients with OSAS, 2 with UARS. Results: Mean AHIs of patients with OSAS were 33.4 by thermistor and 48.4 by NPT. The AHIs of mild, moderate and severe OSAS groups were 10.2, 32.1, 65.4 respectively by thermistor and 23.1, 45.9, 76.4 by NPT. The mean AHI of patients with UARS was 3.2 by thermistor and 10.8 by NPT. The mean AHI of patients with nonspecific arousals was 2.7 by thermistor and 4.4 by NPT. The mean airway pressure changes during respiratory arousals of different groups were $8.7\;cmH_2O$ in mild OSAS, $11.4\;cmH_2O$ in moderate OSAS, $24.7\;cmH_2O$ in severe OSAS and $6.6\;cmH_2O$ in UARS. Conclusion: The nasal pressure transducer of airflow was more sensitive and accurate for assessing respiratory disturbances of patients with OSAS and was extremely helpful for the diagnosis of UARS without esophageal pressure monitoring. From the results, we would like to propose carefully the NPT diagnostic criteria for sleep disordered breathing as follows: NPT-AHI 5-15 $\rightarrow$ UARS, 15-35 $\rightarrow$ mild OSAS, 35-55 $\rightarrow$ moderate OSAS and >55 $\rightarrow$ severe OSAS.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.47-59
• /
• 1990

Respiration is one of the most important functions which are carried out in stomatognathic system. When nasal orifice is obstructed or the resistance of upper airway is increased mouth breathing is initiated. Mouth breathing is regarded as an important etiologic factor of dentofacial anomalies. This experiment was performed to observe the influences of metabolic acidosis, tracheal resistance and vagotomy on mouth breathing. After rabbits were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, a pair of wire electrode was inserted into mylohyoid muscle, anterior belly of digastric muscle and dilator naris muscle to record EMG activity. Femoral vein and artery were cannulated for infusion of 0.3N HCl and collection of blood sample to determine the blood pH, and tracheal intubation was done to control airway resistance. Mouth breathing was induced by metabolic acidosis. Increase of the airway resistance through tracheal cannula intensified the activity of dilator naris, mylohyoid and digastric muscle. The higher the resistance, the larger the EMG amplitude. After bilateral vagotomy, respiratory volume and inspiatory time were increased and the activities of dilator naris, mylohyoid and digastric muscle were strengthened. It was concluded that the muscle activity related to mouth breathing was induced by metabolic acidosis and increase of tracheal tube resistance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.3-7
• /
• 2020

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a relatively safe and effective noninvasive ventilation method that was recently accepted as a treatment option for acute respiratory support before endotracheal intubation or invasive ventilation. The action mechanism of HFNC includes a decrease in nasopharyngeal resistance, washout of dead space, reduction in inflow of ambient air, and an increase in airway pressure. In preterm infants, HFNC can be used to prevent reintubation and initial noninvasive respiratory support after birth. In children, flow level adjustments are crucial considering their maximal efficacy and complications. Randomized controlled studies suggest that HFNC can be used in cases of moderate to severe bronchiolitis upon initial low-flow oxygen failure. HFNC can also reduce intubation and mechanical ventilation in children with respiratory failure. Several observational studies have shown that HFNC can be beneficial in acute asthma and other respiratory distress. Multicenter randomized studies are warranted to determine the feasibility and adherence of HFNC and continuous positive airway pressure in pediatric intensive care units. The development of clinical guidelines for HFNC, including flow settings, indications, and contraindications, device management, efficacy identification, and safety issues are needed, particularly in children.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.21 no.1 s.33
• /
• pp.17-29
• /
• 1991

The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative data describing the effect of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on nasal airway resistance (NAR). RPE is an orthopedic procedure which is commonly used to widen the maxilla in skeletal Class III patients. 18 subjects (9 males and 9 females, mean age: 10 years 7 months) were selected from the Orthodontics in Yongdong Severance Hospital. Recordings of NAR were taken by active anterior method prior to expansion, immediately after desired maximum expansion, and after approximately 3 months and 6 months, and 1 year. All data was recorded and statistically processed with the SPSS program of IBM PC system. The results are as followings . 1. The average initial NAR of the subjects was 3.84 cm $H_2O/LPS\;(SD{\pm}1.34)$. It was greater than the average NAR of the normal subjects. 2. Among 18 subjects, 9 subjects showed reduction of NAR and 9 subjects showed no specific change of NAR after expansion. 3 An average reduction in NAR after immediately expansion was statistically significant at the 0.05 level. 4. The reduction appeared stable throughout the post treatment observation period of 1 year after expansion. From these results, it was suggested that RPE is a useful method to reduce NAR.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.31.1-31.18
• /
• 2023

Evidence suggests that the human respiratory tract, as with the gastrointestinal tract, has evolved to its current state in association with commensal microbes. However, little is known about how the airway microbiome affects the development of airway immune system. Here, we uncover a previously unidentified mode of interaction between host airway immunity and a unique strain (AIT01) of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a predominant species of the nasal microbiome. Intranasal administration of AIT01 increased the population of neutrophils and monocytes in mouse lungs. The recruitment of these immune cells resulted in the protection of the murine host against infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogenic bacterium. Interestingly, an AIT01-secreted protein identified as GAPDH, a well-known bacterial moonlighting protein, mediated this protective effect. Intranasal delivery of the purified GAPDH conferred significant resistance against other Gram-negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii) and influenza A virus. Our findings demonstrate the potential of a native nasal microbe and its secretory protein to enhance innate immune defense against airway infections. These results offer a promising preventive measure, particularly relevant in the context of global pandemics.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 2003

The concentration of nitrous oxide in dental environment has increased especially in pediatric department. In pediatric department frequently met the behavior disordered patients who need the deep sedation. As the deeply sedated patients could not respond well to verbal command, the amount of mouth breathing would be increased especially with mouth prop which backward transposition of mandible. Inhalation of low concentration of nitrous oxide for a long duration has caused various side effects such as spontaneous abortion and inhibition of methionine synthetase activity which is harmful to DNA synthesis. For evaluation of factors of mouth breathing during deep sedation. The author measured the concentration of nitrous oxide in breathing zone by the change of the scavenging methods. One is drain the gas through the tail part of reservoir bag of Jackson Ree's system naturally. Another is scavenge from tail portion of reservoir bag with negative pressure. Last one is scavenge from nasal mask with negative pressure. The nitrous oxide concentration in breathing zone was the lowest in nasal part drainage but high above the recommended concentration of NIOSH. The order of nitrous concentration in breathing zone was: natural drainage, tail part with negative pressure, nasal part with negative pressure. This would reflect the order of resistance of nasal airway and showed the amount of mouth breathing. From the above experiment, the resistance of nasal airway by the increment of gas flow in corrugating tube and reservoir bag would be one of the causative factors of mouth breathing in deeply sedated patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 1997

Background : The rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry can assess e nasal passage dynamically and statically Recently, analytic methods such as nasometer and sound spectrogram are gaining wide attention to evaluate the nasality objectively. Objectives : firstly to determine if ere was a relationship between the new methods and nasal airway resistance, and secondly to establish if the measurement of nasalance and sound spectrum could be used as an alternative to rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. Materials and Methods : Thirty two patients who underwent either septoplasty and turbinectomy for nasal obstruction were studied. And their ages ranged form 15 to 45 years, with an average of 26.1 years. The rhinomanometry, nasometer, sound spectrogram were performed at preoperative and postoperative 4 weeks day. Results : After operation, subjective symptoms and rhinomanometric results were significantly improved but nasalance and slope of nana, mama and mamma passage had not meningful change. The significnat changes were noted in nasalance and first nasal formant frequency of nasal consonant of velum(angang). Conclusion : Nasometer and sound spectrogram had a limitation for the measure of nasal patency.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.63-66
• /
• 2011

It has been controversial whether upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a distinct syndrome or not since it was reported in 1993. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders classified UARS under obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in 2005. UARS can be diagnosed when the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is fewer than 5 events per hour, the simultaneously calculated respiratory disturbance index (RDI) is more than 5 events per hour due to abnormal non-apneic non-hypopneic respiratory events accompanying respiratory effort related arousals (RERAs), and oxygen saturation is greater than 92% at termination of an abnormal breathing event. Although esophageal pressure measurement remains the gold standard for detecting subtle breathing abnormality other than hypopnea and apnea, nasal pressure transducer has been most commonly used. RERAs include phase A2 of cyclical alternating patterns (CAPs) associated with EEG changes. Symptoms of OSAS can overlap with UARS, but chronic insomnia tends to be more common in UARS than in OSAS and clinical symptoms similar with functional somatic syndrome are also more common in UARS. In this journal, diagnostic and clinical differences between UARS and OSAS are reviewed.