Dynamics and periods in the nasal cycle during night sleep by separate measurement of nostril respiration

Abstract

BACKGROUND. The registration of the nasal cycle by separate measurement of breathing through the left and the right nostril appears a non-invasive method, in which the passability of the nostrils is assessed by the respiratory amplitudes of the air. OBJECTIVE. To present the dynamics and periods of the nasal cycle during night sleep using the Interface 2-Channel System Method. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The recordings demonstrate the dynamics and periods of the nasal cycle during the night sleep of a healthy volunteer. RESULTS. The patient respiratory and nasal cycle through the left and right nostril was measured separately for 10 hours. The entire record consisted of 3 large nasal cycles lasting 4.0h, 3.5h and 2.5h, separated by short awakenings, getting out of bed lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Each part was composed of smaller cycles that structure separate stages of the nasal and sleep cycles. The smallest period recorded in the nasal cycle was about 4 minutes long. Records show that the duration of the REM stage must be longer than 20 minutes to perform the nasal cycle reversal. In the presented records, the nasal cycle reversals were performed after a 30-minute duration of the REM stages. It has been found that nasal cycles can change fast (impulse change) and gradually (gradual change). The impulse change implies that the passability of only one nostril lasts for about 12 seconds, while the other nostril retains its passability. The slow gradual changes of the nasal cycle involve both nostrils and continue for about 4 minutes. Waking up and getting up of persons for about 10 minutes restarts the nasal cycle with potential for a new nasal cycle reversal. CONCLUSION. The method provides an objective assessment of nasal resistance, which can be used in the diagnosis of patients with breathing disorders during sleep.