can a chin strap really stop osa?

[vaderboi]

Just came across an interesting article about a chin strap helping with osa. Someone else may have come across the same article, so I apologize if this is a double post.

http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.asp ... -To-Death-

it was a side article to something I was reading on cnn, and I saw the snoring part and chin strap and looked a little further.

just bringing a topic up for discussion.

[Goofproof]

No!

[DreamStalker]

can a chin strap really stop osa?

Uhhhhhhh .... Nope!

Do you think there would be a market for CPAP machines if it did work?

[Hawthorne]

All a chin strap will do is POSSIBLY keep your mouth closed so that you don't mouth breathe and lose your cpap therapy through your mouth.

I don't think there are very many chin straps that help very much in this regard.

Chin straps do not stop OSA. They (for some people) keep the mouth closed so the cpap therapy goes where it is supposed to go - into your airway.

[MrBob]

Never say Never...

Although it is unlikely that I chin strap will cure sleep apnea, it is very possible that this could be an alternative therapy for patients that are non-compliant CPAP users ( just can not wear or will not wear for one reason or another).

As another poster stated, the idea is to keep the mouth closed helping those that are called "Mouth Breathers". If the snoring or apnea is due to airway changes caused by the mouth opening, then 'yes', it is possible that a chin strap could reduce or ameliorate the patient's snoring/apnea.

Even if this could work in 1-5% of patients with OSAS, it should not be outright discredited. So, the CPAP manufacturers will still have plenty of work in the future, but there is room to look at all optional therapies available for each patient on a case by case basis.

BC, RPSGT
Orlando Florida

[dda_davecpap]

The Chinstrap vs. CPAP study was conducted on one 75-year old patient in good physical condition.
Written up in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2007, it showed that after using a CPAP,
the patient used only a chinstrap while on a trip to Antarctica. Upon his return, he was tested again
and found his obstructive breathing equal or better than tested using the CPAP. The conclusion to
the study was that a chinstrap might be an alternate to CPAP in some patients.

As others have discussed in this forum, a dropped jaw can occur with a CPAP, which diminishes the
effectiveness of the CPAP. Also, the obesity of the user can impact the degree of throat collapse by
the patient, thereby causing snoring. One fit patient does not make a definitive test result.

Is there anyone with OSA who has NOT tried some home-made version of strapping one's mouth
shut during sleep to (a) avoid snoring, and (b) protect oneself from rib-jabs from an upset spouse?
Economics alone would dictate we TRY a chinstrap or a different body position before a visit to
the sleep clinic. In my case no other alternative worked. So I checked in, and once I rediscovered
a refreshing night's sleep using a CPAP, I cannot be without it!

[roster]

..........the patient used only a chinstrap while on a trip to Antarctica. ..........

The chinstrap I can afford, but I can't afford to live in f#^&ing Antartica!

No one would have OSA, if we could all sleep standing upside down.

[klockemy]

Looks like the guy has positional apnea. Most of his events were recorded on his back in his first study. When he went to Antarctica he used the chinstrap and slept laterally. Follow up PSGs were using the chinstrap while after the patient achieved a lateral position. Also, the guy is a retired doctor, probably in cohoots with the guys writing the paper.

Chinstraps may work for some......dental devices may work for others......CPAP may work for the rest.

Include your source next time, please. This thing was a pain to find.

http://www.aasmnet.org/jcsm/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=27031

[Mebake]

I can’t believe how many times this chinstrap comes up for discussion in this forum. I do not believe this is a treatment for OSA. That being said I use this chinstrap in conjunction with my CPAP therapy. It is useful in keeping my mouth shut during the night. I found mine on eBay for about $30.00 bucks. Again I do not endorse this chinstrap as a treatment for OSA.

[Muse-Inc]

...Antarctica...

No one would have OSA, if we could all sleep standing upside down.

[Babette]

No!

Nein!

Nyet!

Non!

NO!

[LAFAYETTEANDY]

I have a friend who must use oxgyen all the time. She has alot of swelling in her stomach and has been told that she must be breathing through her mouth and swallowing air. Do you think a chin strap would help?

[BlackSpinner]

tried a chin strap - before cpap - It made me feel worse.

[roster]

I have a friend who must use oxgyen all the time. She has alot of swelling in her stomach and has been told that she must be breathing through her mouth and swallowing air. Do you think a chin strap would help?

What is the health problem that causes her to need oxygen?

[RipVW]

No!

Ditto!