The nasal airway and obstructed breathing during sleep

Nasal obstruction whether partial or complete can influence the quality of sleep and has been strongly linked to the genesis of obstructed breathing d uring sleep (OBS). The relationship between nasal airflow and the process o f upper airway collapse is complex. The first part of this article reviews the nasal anatomy with an emphasis on the sites of nasal obstruction, the e ffect of the nasal reflexes on the pulmonary system, and the pathophysiolog y of the development of OBS. The second part reviews the common causes of i ncreased nasal resistance, the assessment of nasal passages, and the treatm ent options. This article also includes literature in support of and refuti ng the postulated mechanisms by which nasal obstruction can effect the resp iratory system during sleep.