Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects around 22 million Americans. This condition is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can cause a variety of symptoms including daytime tiredness, snoring, and headaches.

In severe cases, sleep apnea can even lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat fail to keep your airway open while you sleep. This can cause you to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time, which can happen dozens of times per hour in severe cases.

When you stop breathing, your brain signals your body to wake up briefly so that you can resume breathing again.

Because these breathing interruptions are so brief, you may not even realize that you are waking up. However, they can have a significant impact on your sleep quality and overall health.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of sleep apnea can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:.

Loud snoring
Waking up feeling tired or groggy
Headaches in the morning
Difficulty concentrating or staying alert during the day
Irritability or mood swings
High blood pressure
Weight gain

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves wearing a mask over your nose and/or mouth while you sleep.

The mask is connected to a machine that delivers a continuous stream of air to help keep your airway open.

While CPAP therapy can be very effective at reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea, it can also be uncomfortable and cumbersome. Some patients may find it difficult to sleep with the mask on, or may suffer from skin irritation or other side effects.

A New Implant for Sleep Apnea

Fortunately, there is a new treatment option available for sleep apnea sufferers that may offer relief without the need for a bulky mask or uncomfortable machine.

The new implant, called Inspire upper airway stimulation, is designed to help keep your airway open while you sleep by delivering a gentle electrical pulse to the muscles in the back of your throat.

This pulse helps to stimulate the muscles and keep them from collapsing, which can help to prevent sleep apnea episodes.

The device is implanted under the skin of your chest during a minimally-invasive procedure. It is controlled by a small remote that you can turn on and off as needed.

When you’re ready to go to sleep, you simply turn on the device using the remote, and it will begin to deliver the electrical pulse to your throat muscles. When you wake up in the morning, you can turn the device off again using the remote.

Is the Inspire Implant right for me?

The Inspire implant is designed for patients who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and are unable to tolerate or benefit from CPAP therapy.

If you are interested in the Inspire implant, you will need to undergo a thorough evaluation by a sleep specialist to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

What are the benefits of the Inspire Implant?

The Inspire implant offers several important benefits for sleep apnea sufferers, including:.

Effective relief from sleep apnea symptoms
No need for bulky mask or uncomfortable machine
Minimally-invasive procedure with a short recovery time
No need for ongoing adjustments or maintenance

What are the risks associated with the Inspire implant?

Like any medical procedure, there are risks associated with the Inspire implant. Some potential risks include:.

Infection at the site of the implant
Discomfort or pain at the implant site
Bleeding or bruising
Inappropriate shocks from the device

These risks are relatively rare, and the vast majority of patients who undergo the procedure experience no serious complications.

Conclusion

If you suffer from sleep apnea and have been unable to find relief using CPAP therapy, the Inspire upper airway stimulation implant may be a good option to consider.

Talk to your doctor or sleep specialist to learn more about this innovative new treatment and whether it may be right for you.