Post an Event (free) | Subscribe 

Good morning!

Did you know your OSA patients' noses are playing posture games?

Discover how body position dramatically alters nasal breathing and why it matters for your treatment plans. This issue's Clinical Corner might just change how you approach every consultation.

In Today’s Edition:

• How Body Position Affects Nasal Breathing in Sleep Apnea Patients

• 8 Pro-Tips for Effective Communication with Medical Referrers

• Industry Events

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

🥼Use the clinical corner as your secret weapon to impress your colleagues and patients!

Key Takeaways🔑

How Body Position Affects Nasal Breathing in Sleep Apnea Patients

As dental sleep professionals, we're always looking for ways to improve our patients' breathing. A recent study gives us a new angle to consider: how simply changing body position affects nasal airflow in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Study: Posture and Nasal Breathing

Researchers at Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan examined how different body positions impact nasal breathing in OSA patients. Their findings offer valuable insights for our practice.

Key Discoveries:

1. Patients Feel More Congested When Lying Down

   • In the supine (back-lying) position, patients reported feeling 35% more nasal congestion compared to sitting up.

   • In the prone (face-down) position, the feeling of congestion more than doubled compared to sitting.

   • Prone position caused noticeably more congestion than lying on the back.

2. Objective Measurements Confirm Patient Reports Using acoustic rhinometry, which measures nasal airway size:

   • The nasal airway was about 8% smaller when lying on the back compared to sitting.

   • When lying face-down, the nasal airway shrank by about 21% compared to sitting.

   • The prone position resulted in significantly smaller nasal airways than lying on the back.

3. Visual Evidence of Nasal Congestion Endoscopic examinations revealed:

   • The right nasal passage showed more congestion when patients lay on their backs.

   • The left nasal passage was more congested when patients lay face-down.

   • In both cases, the internal structures of the nose (inferior turbinates) appeared more swollen compared to the sitting position.

Why This Matters for Our Patients

Most of the study participants (70%) had severe sleep apnea, and their average BMI was about 28.5, which is in the overweight range. This means these findings are particularly relevant for many of the patients we see in our practices.

What's Causing This?

The researchers believe that when we change positions, especially when lying down, blood flow in the nose changes. This can cause the tissues inside the nose to swell, leading to increased congestion and reduced airflow.

How This Changes Our Approach

1. Assess Nasal Breathing in Different Positions: We should evaluate how well patients can breathe through their nose while sitting, lying on their back, and face-down.

2. Consider Nasal Congestion in Treatment Plans: When designing oral appliances or recommending sleep positions, we need to factor in how these positions might affect nasal breathing.

3. Educate Patients: Help patients understand how their body position can affect their breathing, even when they're awake.

4. Team Up with ENT Specialists: For patients with significant nasal congestion in certain positions, we might need to work with ear, nose, and throat doctors for additional treatments.

Action Steps for Your Practice

1. Multi-Position Breathing Checks: During consultations and follow-ups, check nasal breathing in different positions.

2. Collaborate with ENTs: Consider ENT referrals for patients with major position-related nasal congestion. In this study, all 29 OSA patients needed nasal surgery, showing a strong link between nasal issues and sleep apnea.

3. Update Follow-Up Questions: Ask patients about their nasal breathing in different positions during check-ups.

4. Explore Nasal Aids: Look into nasal dilators or other tools that might help keep nasal airways open in problematic positions.

The Bottom Line

As dental sleep professionals, we need to think beyond the mouth and consider the entire breathing pathway, including the nose. This study shows us that body position plays a crucial role in nasal breathing for OSA patients. By applying these insights, we can provide more thorough care and potentially boost treatment success.

Remember: Every breath counts in managing OSA—and understanding how body position affects nasal breathing could be key to helping our patients breathe easier and sleep better.

Yang, PR., Tsai, YT., Tsai, HY. et al. Effects of sitting, supine, and prone postures on nasal patency in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. BMC Pulm Med 24, 445 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-024-03278-1

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

8 Pro-Tips for Effective Communication with Medical Referrers

As dental sleep professionals, one of our critical roles is to liaise effectively with medical referrers. Building a strong, collaborative relationship with them is essential for ensuring comprehensive patient care. Here are eight pro-tips for nailing communication with medical referrers.

1. Preparation is Key

Before reaching out, make sure you have all the necessary information. This includes a detailed referral note and a copy of the patient's sleep study. Being prepared shows professionalism and respect for the referrer's time.

2. Find Their Preferred Communication Channel

Doctors have varied preferences for communication. Some may prefer secure fax, others email, or an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Ask them directly about their preferred mode and adhere to it. This tailoring of communication method can significantly enhance the collaboration.

3. Direct Conversations Matter

Whenever possible, try to have a direct conversation with the referring physician. This could be via telemedicine or a traditional phone call. Direct communication allows for a more in-depth discussion about the case and builds a stronger professional relationship.

4. Embrace the SOAP Format

When compiling your reports, remember to follow the SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan) format. This structured approach is widely recognized in the medical field and helps ensure that all critical information is communicated clearly.

5. Precision and Personalization in Reporting

Ensure that your reports are precise and capture the patient’s voice. Tailor your notes to each case, ensuring they reflect the specific details and nuances of the patient's condition and your treatment plan.

6. Use Medical Terminology

While we are comfortable with dental jargon, remember to speak the language that medical professionals are familiar with. Using medical terminology helps ensure your message is clearly understood and demonstrates your expertise in dental sleep medicine.

7. Leverage the Role of Nurse Care Managers

Nurse care managers can be invaluable in facilitating communication. They often act as a bridge between different healthcare professionals and can help streamline the communication process. Building a rapport with them can be beneficial.

8. Document and Confirm Receipt

Always ensure that your documentation is received and acknowledged by the physician’s office. A follow-up to confirm receipt not only ensures that your communication has been successful but also demonstrates your commitment to collaborative patient care.

Conclusion

Improving communication with medical referrers is really important for dental sleep professionals. Follow these eight helpful tips to have better professional interactions, which will lead to better patient outcomes and stronger relationships with other healthcare professionals. Remember, clear and effective communication is just as important as the actual treatment in healthcare.

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

Industry Events

Have an event you would like to post? (free) [ click here ]