Mechanical nasal alar dilators.

Most studies on nasal dilators have used Breathe Right or Nozovent. Both devices dilate the nasal valves, reduce nasal resistance, and improve nasal airflow. The use of dilators improves airflow most on inspiration, as the valve is stabilised and prevented from collapse. The response varies greatly between individuals, and can be impressive. The effect of nasal dilators may be lower in non-Caucasians. During exercise, nasal dilators delay the onset of oronasal breathing, and can have only small effects on performance thereafter. Nozovent and Breathe Right can reduce snoring, and improve otherwise obstructed breathing during sleep in selected patients. It is a challenge to find those patients, and one way could be to perform polysomnography with and without nasal dilator.