New obstructive sleep apnea treatment now available at Hendrick Health
Hendrick Health is now offering a breakthrough treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for those patients in the region who have not been successful using the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system. More than 30 million Americans are diagnosed with OSA, and experience snoring, gasping during sleep, fatigue or daytime sleepiness, obesity and high blood pressure.
“Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, causing a pause in breathing for at least 10 seconds and blocking the flow of oxygen to the brain,” said Dr. Jason Acevedo, otorhinolaryngologist at Hendrick Health. “For patients who find it difficult to tolerate a CPAP, the new Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy system offers a significant advancement in treating their sleep apnea.”
Unlike the common CPAP treatment which involves the patient wearing a mask during sleep that is connected via a hose to a bedside unit that blows pressured air, the Inspire system uses a device surgically implanted under the skin. This small device works with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat OSA. Gentle stimulation moves the tongue forward and opens the airway without disturbing sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient turns the implant on and off with a small, handheld remote.
“Because sleep affects all aspects of health, uninterrupted, quality sleep is as important as how much sleep is achieved,” said Acevedo. “This new technology can be a gamechanger for patients, and oftentimes for their spouses.”
Another benefit of the implant is that it is safe for patients to have an MRI. Individuals who are experiencing the symptoms of OSA should contact their physicians to be screened for OSA or other sleep disorders.
“Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, causing a pause in breathing for at least 10 seconds and blocking the flow of oxygen to the brain,” said Dr. Jason Acevedo, otorhinolaryngologist at Hendrick Health. “For patients who find it difficult to tolerate a CPAP, the new Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy system offers a significant advancement in treating their sleep apnea.”
Unlike the common CPAP treatment which involves the patient wearing a mask during sleep that is connected via a hose to a bedside unit that blows pressured air, the Inspire system uses a device surgically implanted under the skin. This small device works with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat OSA. Gentle stimulation moves the tongue forward and opens the airway without disturbing sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient turns the implant on and off with a small, handheld remote.
“Because sleep affects all aspects of health, uninterrupted, quality sleep is as important as how much sleep is achieved,” said Acevedo. “This new technology can be a gamechanger for patients, and oftentimes for their spouses.”
Another benefit of the implant is that it is safe for patients to have an MRI. Individuals who are experiencing the symptoms of OSA should contact their physicians to be screened for OSA or other sleep disorders.
