Professional Center

Are you a doctor, pharmacist or other medical professional interested in learning more about Brez?

Find answers to the most common question you - and your patients - may have about Brez here:

Snoring and Your Patients' Health

Q. What is snoring?

A. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat and/or nasal passages, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sounds.

Q. What causes snoring?

A. Primary snoring (snoring without apnea) is often the result of congestion (narrowing of the nasal passageway) or relaxation of the nasal passages, which cause the nasal tissues to vibrate during sleep. Snoring sound levels are the result of that vibration.

Q. How many people snore?

A. Snoring is a condition that affects approximately 60% of the population, or more than 183 million Americans. Two-thirds of partnered adult women say their partners snore, while nearly six in 10 adults say they snore. (Source: National Sleep Foundation's 2005 poll).

Q. Why should snoring be treated?

A. One of the many health concerns associated with snoring is interrupted sleep for both the snorer and bed partner. An inability to maintain continuous sleep could lead to health consequences caused by sleep deprivation such as excessive sleepiness during the day, irritability, and a lack of productivity. Learn more about the effects of snoring >>

People who snore chronically should discuss their condition with a physician, because it can be a symptom of sleep apnea (a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep), a deviated septum or more serious health risks such as high blood pressure, strokes, and heart disease. Learn more about sleep apnea >>

Q. What is the impact of snoring on partners?

A. Research indicates that individuals sleeping next to a snoring bed partner will lose sleep each night due to the sound. Snoring is believed to have a significant impact on the quality of relationships. (Source: National Sleep Foundation's 2005 poll). Read more about the impact of snoring >>

Q. What can prevent snoring?

A. Eliminating or decreasing the vibrations in the nose by opening up the area and/or increasing the structural integrity of the nose will reduce snoring. Learn more about the causes and treatments of snoring >>

Brez Information and Research

Q. What is Brez and how does it compare to other commonly used treatments for snoring?

A. Brez is the first commercially available device for use inside the nose that is clinically proven to reduce snoring and increase overall sleep quality for the bed partner. Unlike any other breathing aid, Brez is a drug-, latex- and adhesive-free, soft and pliable device that works directly and comfortably inside the nose to alleviate primary snoring (snoring without apnea).

Q. How does Brez work?

A. Brez inserts easily into the nose and gently lifts, expands and supports the interior walls of the nasal passages to reduce the resistance of airflow. The opening of the nasal airway reduces vibrations and therefore snoring. Read more about how Brez works >>

Q. What research or clinical trials have been performed on Brez?

Data from a clinical study in October 2008 involving 26 snorers (12 men and 14 women) with snoring (non-apneic) bed partners showed that those who used Brez experienced a 52% decrease in snoring events from an average of 1247 to 654. Snorers who used the device had only a 22.4% likelihood of persistent snoring and disturbing their bed partner's sleep compared to their pre-treatment scores of 100%. Both findings were statistically significant (p<0.05). Equally as interesting, 88% of bed partners reported improved sleep quality when the product was used by the snorer.  These research findings have been published in the medical journal Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Vol 4 No. 6 September-October 2009.

The research was conducted at an independent sleep center in Phoenix, Arizona. Download the research abstract >>

Product Safety and Side Effects

Q. Are there any side effects associated with the use of Brez?

A. There are no known side effects related to the use of Brez.

Q. What are Brez's recommendations for use? Can it be used for extended periods of time?

A. For best results to help relieve snoring or congestion while sleeping, we recommend patients use Brez nightly. Size is also important for proper function, so three sizes are offered.

Brez may be worn for up to 12 hours, day or night. For single use only. Keep out of reach of children under the age of 18.

Q. What are the safety precautions for Brez?

A. Patients may experience an increase in airflow through the nasal passageways, which should result in a decrease in symptoms related to nasal congestion, intra-nasal snoring or minor deviated septum. Some breathing issues related to snoring or congestion can be caused by pharyngeal obstruction, apnea, or obesity; this device was not developed to address these problems.

This product may not work if alcohol or certain medications have been used, or if the patient is diagnosed with moderate to severe deviated septum. Patients should always consult a physician before use if they have had nasal/nose surgery or any medical condition related to the nose, including sores, lesions, or if diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Brez Premium Nasal Breathing Aids pose no known health risks. However, it is recommended that all instructions be followed. First-time users may notice an increase in mucus drainage from the nasal passages resulting from shrinking membranes. This should subside after a few minutes. For sanitary reasons, each Brez device should not be reused.

Temporary flaring of the nostrils may occur. The Brez Premium Nasal Breathing Aid may cause a slight bulge or flaring in the nose (often not noticeable) which is not permanent and will disappear when the product is removed. Our research indicates that others may not notice the device when worn.

If the connecting strap should break, and the breathing aid is not dislodged from the nostril, Brez's soft, pliable plastic is much like human skin. It can be dislodged by pushing the exterior of the nose inward (therefore plugging up the nasal passage and preventing the breathing aid from going up further); pulling down on the remaining straps to remove. If one part of the Brez device remains in the nostril, the patient should close the opposite nostril with lateral finger compression and blow hard out through the other nostril. If the patient is not able to remove the Brez device by using any of these prescribed methods, they should contact a physician.