Results
Most of the users considered subjectively the Breathe Right (79%) and Airmax (21%) dilators to be the most comfortable in use and effective in improving nasal breathing. Nozovent and Nasanita nose Butterfly appeared to have approximately the same effectiveness, but turned out to be more uncomfortable for everyday use and had more side effects or provoced inconvenient feelings. In the objective part of the study Breath Right, Airmax and breathing without nasal dilator were compared by means of rhinomanometry. Both devices reduce resistance parameters compared with breathing without device in VR in, LVR, LReff In, LReff, LREEFtotal parameters. The Airmax is more effective than Breath Right reducing these resistance parameters.
Conclusion
Nasal dilators may reduce the nasal resistance remarkably, but the reduction of the nasal resistance depends on the nasal pathology. The best effect can be achieved in widening the nasal entrance, in particular in so called “valve phenomenon”. The effect is predictable by 4-phase-Rhinomanometry. The improvement is better in inspiration as in expiration, because the nasal valve reduces the inspiratory airflow. To exclude the influence of the nasal cycle, it is recommended to calculate the Total Nasal Resistance or measure the resistance by Active Posterior Rhinomanometry.