A nasal dilator may refer to an external or internal device that helps to open the passages in the nose so that breathing is easier and air coming in encounters less resistance. These products are often sold to people who have difficulty with snoring, and some find they are very effective in reducing snoring issues. They may also be marketed to athletes, and have been used by many prominent athletes, though evidence suggesting their effectiveness is not strong.
The most common type of nasal dilator is called external. It can be adhesive or flexible material that fits over the nose bridge. In this manner it slightly expands, widens or dilates the nasal passages, which could prove useful for sleeping. Some people use these dilators at night not only to tame snoring issues, but also to relieve congestion caused by allergies or colds. The degree to which a nasal dilator will be effective may vary by the person. It can be said some people really think they work, and others try them and are unsatisfied with their performance.
One area of controversy is whether an external nasal dilator is at all effective in increasing exercise performance. Here, there appears evidence that performance is not enhanced by their use. Several scientific studies have evaluated this matter to see if increased airflow translates to better athletic performance, and these studies conclude that this is really not the case. Therefore, people might want to skip purchasing dilators for this purpose, unless they have tried them and feel they do make a difference.
The other form of nasal dilator is called internal. These tend to be less popular than the external since they are flexible devices worn in the nose. They can vary in size and material, but like external types they’re often marketed as a cure for a snoring. One of the benefits of the internal type is that they’re longer lasting. Many of these can be used for several months, though they should be washed in between uses.
One of the principal advantages of any type of nasal dilator is that it is drug free. While some people may combat congestion or snoring problems by using certain medications, nasal dilators lack this approach and may be preferable. They could be particularly useful for those who take many other types of medications. Of course, not everyone finds them equally effective to treat snoring, and conditions like sleep apnea should be assessed by doctors and sleep specialists to determine if more breathing support is required at night.
