Imagine needing to press just one button to guarantee you get deep, uninterrupted sleep each and every night. While that sounds great to the average person, it’s almost magical to those with sleep apnea. That’s basically how Inspire® works, a first-of-its-kind treatment for patients with severe sleep apnea that enables them to rest without having to be hooked up to a CPAP machine. This all seems wonderful, but how does it actually work?
The Basics of Inspire®
With Inspire®, rather than wearing the device, it’s implanted into you. The system consists of three components: a small generator, a breathing sensor, and a stimulation head.
Using an outpatient procedure that can be completed in a single appointment, the generator is placed beneath the skin on the chest, and this is connected by a thin wire to the breathing sensor and stimulation head that will sit just below your chin.
Turned on using a separate remote when you go to bed, Inspire® is programmed to monitor your breathing during sleep, and if it senses an interruption, a gentle pulse is used to engage the muscles of your airway. This clears any obstruction and allows for the continuous flow of oxygen, leading to high-quality, restorative rest.
Who Should Get Inspire®?
While relatively new, Inspire® has proven to be extremely effective and popular among patients because it’s much more comfortable and simpler compared to a traditional CPAP. Many patients struggle with the machine due to the sensation, noise, and constant upkeep, and all of those instantly go away with Inspire®.
Inspire® is typically recommended for patients who…
- Have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Are CPAP intolerant or still feel tired despite using one
- Are not significantly overweight
- Have persistent breathing issues, like with a deviated septum
- Over the age of 18
Is Inspire® Right For You?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and use CPAP therapy, then you should speak to your sleep physician about Inspire® to see if it would be a good alternative. But if you’re unsure whether or not you even have sleep apnea, but believe you might, it’s best to schedule an initial screening with a sleep dentist.
They can examine your airway, organize for a sleep test, and give you access to a variety of treatments so you have options when it comes to taking control of your sleep. While Inspire® is certainly growing in popularity, many patients have gotten what they need with oral appliance treatment, which has a lower cost.
Suffice it to say, if you’re tired of being tired, Inspire® offers another way to finally feel great in the morning again.
About the Author
As a sleep apnea patient himself, Dr. Mitch Conditt is well aware of how this condition can affect a person’s physical and mental well-being. That’s why he is so passionate and has dedicated his career to helping people get better sleep. Whether you’re struggling with your CPAP or still need to be diagnosed officially for sleep apnea, our team is ready to guide you toward the rest you deserve. To get started, click here or call our Fort Worth office at 817-527-8500.