How effective is the new nose patch treatment for sleep apnea?

I have dealt with sleep apnea for a little over 10 years and have used several different treatments with a decent amount of success. I recently read about a new treatment that involves a simple nose patch. What are your thoughts on this treatment and who are good candidates to benefit from this treatment?

Doctors Answers (2)

SomnoDiagnostics, Inc.

Answered on: 6/5/2014 2

The nose patch is a nonprescription device. Scientists say the nonprescription devices haven't been adequately studied. These are used if a patient can't tolerate CPAP machines. "It's going to have some efficacy for some patients who can't tolerate CPAP, but it's not going to be as good as CPAP," says Nancy A. Collop, president-elect of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and director of the Emory Sleep Center in Atlanta. A variety of nasal devices are being marketed for sleep apnea and snoring. Most of them are simple nonprescription "nasal dilators" that fit in the nostrils and prop them open to improve air flow. "Those devices can provide some benefit for snoring but don't do much for sleep apnea where the problem is in the throat, not the nose," says Lawrence Epstein, chief medical officer of Sleep HealthCenters.