The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines sleep apnea as a chronic condition resulting in pauses or shallow breathing during sleep. If left untreated sleep apnea can result in other health concerns. Common therapies for sleep apnea included Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral appliances, anatomical surgeries, and lifestyle modifications. Adherence to CPAP can be challenging for most clients and often results in non-compliance. Fortunately, the FDA recently approved Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) – An implantable nerve stimulator that detects breathing patterns and keeps the airway open during sleep.

The FDA shares a clinical study on Inspire noting, “The Inspire UAS therapy provided the majority of patients with significant reductions in the severity of their obstructive sleep apnea and improvements in their quality of life… Inspire UAS therapy patients also experienced at least a 25% reduction in oxygen desaturation index.” These clinical findings offer clients a promising treatment option for sleep apnea.

The procedure for using Inspire is quite simple. The physician programs the settings and surgically implants the device. Through an external remote the client turns therapies "on" and "off" as accommodates his or her sleep schedule. The FDA comments on the Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) feature of Inspire, “The IPG detects the patient's breathing pattern and maintains an open airway with mild stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement, during inhaled breathing.” This feature helps keep airways open during sleep, promoting restfulness and better quality of life. Inspire may not be recommended for clients with implantable devices as such devices can interact with the intended therapy. Share any sleep apnea questions or concerns with your physician to determine suitable treatment options for your individual health needs.

* All information shared in this article should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner prior to incorporating any suggestions. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide advice or direct client decisions.