PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To help frustrated nighttime nasal congestion sufferers understand the factors greatly contributing to their chronic nasal congestion and trouble with sleep, the makers of Breathe Right Nasal Strips partnered with Sperling's BestPlaces to identify the 20 Most Congested Cities in the U.S.(1) According to the national study, the top 20 metropolitan areas where residents are most challenged by congestion are:

Twenty percent of the U.S. population suffers from chronic nighttime nasal congestion.(2) They've come to the conclusion that "this is just how I am," and suffer through the night and into the next day as a result.

"For many people who are congested, the right to breathe naturally and freely is taken away, and a good night's sleep suffers as a result," said Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. "Chronic nighttime nasal congestion and its impact on sleep is severely misunderstood. Breathe Right Nasal Strips relieve nighttime nasal congestion by opening your nose to help you breathe better so you can sleep better. They also work the instant you put them on, for as long as you keep them on for those seeking a drug-free solution."

Breathe Right Nasal Strips are clinically proven to lift nasal passages and open your nose, relieving nasal congestion and improving air flow. The strips consist of flexible, "spring-like" bands placed across the nose. They gently lift the sides of the nose and open the nasal passages, providing immediate and continual relief.

To help millions of Americans exercise their right to breathe better and sleep better, Breathe Right Nasal Strips is launching the Breathe Better, Sleep Better Challenge. All consumers will be able to try Breathe Right Advanced Nasal Strips risk-free by purchasing a 10-count box. If consumers are not completely satisfied, they will receive a full refund on the Breathe Right Nasal Strips purchase.  

Visit www.BreatheRight.com to learn more about the benefits of breathing right and the Breathe Better, Sleep Better Challenge. A full ranking of the top 50 U.S. Most Congested Cities is also available.

Methodology

The study was conducted by the makers of Breathe Right Nasal Strips, in conjunction with Sperling's BestPlaces during the month March 2011.(1) The goal of the study was to find the places (specifically, metropolitan areas) in the United States that are most challenged by congestion.(1) To find the places, a meta-analysis was performed, which combines the findings of original research and existing related research in the field of this study.(1) In the study, the 50 largest metropolitan areas were analyzed to find those places whose residents are most challenged by congestion based on the following weighted categories, commonly acknowledged by health professionals to be associated with congestion: tree, grass and weed pollens, molds and spores, air pollution, climate, smoking, purchase habits of congestion products, prescriptions of drugs for congestion relief and incidence of the Influenza (flu).(1)

About Michael Breus, Ph.D.

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 and, with a specialty in Clinical Sleep Disorders, is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction. Dr. Breus recently authored "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep," a groundbreaking book on the relationship between quality sleep and metabolism. Dr. Breus also created The Dr. Breus Bed,™ the first and only mattress collection designed by a sleep specialist. Additional information on Dr. Breus can be found at www.thesleepdoctor.com. 

About Bert Sperling

For over twenty years, Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own Best Places to live, work, play and retire. As the foremost creator of these studies, his work appears in the national media nearly every month. Annually, his "Healthiest Cities for Women" study is featured in SELF magazine. Other health-related projects include "Migraine Hot Spots," "Asthma Hot Spots," "Best Cities for Sleep," "America's Healthiest Cities," "Best and Worst Cities for Skin Care" and "Most Visually Inspiring Places in America." Sperling's information is available on the website, www.bestplaces.net.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette® and NicoDerm®CQ®, as well as many medicine cabinet staples – Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, and TUMS® – which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

(1) Analysis of Top Most Congested U.S. Cities. Sperlings BestPlaces. March 2011.

(2) GSK data on file. Global Incidence Study 2010.

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare