Could a nose ring help beat snoring?

ASMALL electronic ‘nose ring’ that plugs into the nostrils could be a new way to tackle snoring. The matchbox- sized device pumps air into the nose continuously throughout the night to keep the airways open.

It has been designed to help sleep apnoea, where the tissues in the throat collapse repeatedly during the night, blocking airways for up to ten seconds at a time — the snoring sound is produced by vibrations of the tissues as air has to be forced through the obstructed airway.

As well as causing loud snoring, sleep apnoea means the patient temporarily stops breathing.

This deprives the body of oxygen and, if left untreated, can contribute to long-term problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure and tumour growth, as well as a greater risk of driving accidents due to lack of sleep.

SLeePapnoea is thought to affect around 5 per cent of people in Britain, though some studies suggest that 60 per cent of over65s suffer from it.

The standard treatment is with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) — a face mask the patient wears while sleeping, which delivers pressurised air to prevent tissue collapsing and the airway closing.

Despite studies showing CPAP is highly effective, many people find the devices — which can include hoses, cords, masks and straps around the head — uncomfortable, and are unable to tolerate them for long.

It’s been estimated that up to 46 per cent of people stop using conventional CPAP therapy.

The new device, called Airing, consists of a 2 in-long, chunky plastic nose ring that weighs less than an ounce. It has two protruding buds, made from a soft, pliable, silicon rubber material, which fit into the nostrils.

The buds contain hundreds of mini pumps, which take air from the atmosphere and deliver it into the nostrils under a slight pressure, which keeps the airways open.

It’s powered by inbuilt batteries, which provide sufficient energy for the device to work for eight hours. Made from recyclable, cheap materials, it is designed for single use and costs around £ 2 ( there are multiple sizes in order to accommodate different nostril shapes). Research suggests that the device can produce the same air pressure as traditional CPAP machines.

Airing is expected to be approved by U.S. regulators early next year, and could be available soon after that.

Commenting on the device, Dr Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and lead clinician on sleep at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, said: ‘Many patients have difficulties with CPAP due to the intrusive nature of the mask — people often complain of claustrophobia or mask leakage. If this

device works, it would appear to address some of these issues.’

MeANWHILe, parents know taking a nap can restore a child’s equilibrium, and now researchers at the University of Michigan in the U.S. have found taking a nap makes adults less grumpy and more productive, too.

DURINGthe study, around 40 people completed a set of puzzles on a computer and took a questionnaire twice, before and after a 60-minute break. In the break, half the group were told to nap, while the other half watched a nature documentary.

Results published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences show those who napped were less frustrated by the difficult tasks, spent more time trying to solve them and also reported feeling less impulsive.

The researchers say being awake for an extended time hinders people from controlling negative emotional responses.