Nasal Sprays That Treat Sleep Apnea Could One Day Replace Machines

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person’s breathing stops and starts while they are asleep. The disorder is potentially serious and can harm a person if not properly taken care of. 

 
Currently, the primary way to help with the condition is by using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to keep airways open at night. One in 10 patients don’t use the device past the first night, and 50% give up using it after the first year of therapy. This is due to the bulky and cumbersome nature of the CPAP, which makes it hard for people to set it up every night or bring it along with them when they travel.
 
A new study from Flinders University in Australia may solve this. The research team is looking to use a nasal spray to open airways instead of depending on a machine. 
 
This new drug aims at receptors in the nasal passageways, triggering them to open up the surrounding muscles and keep the airway open. As of right now, there is no official medication one can take to combat the condition.
 
During testing, 12 participants with sleep apnea were each given a placebo, a nasal spray, drops, or endoscopic application with the new drug. The different methods were to experiment with varying delivery modes to see which did the job best. 
 
The results showed that the drug worked well on its users, and they were consistent no matter the form of application. This suggests that using a nasal spray might be a feasible option.
 
The study was published in the scientific journal Chest. Further tests must be conducted before the treatment undergoes approval, though.
 
 
 
[via New Atlas and Flinders University, Photo 142504918 © Syda Productions | Dreamstime.com]