Clinically Reviewed by Dr. McLaughlin.
If you have had moderate to severe sleeping problems in the last two years and CPAP therapy has been ineffective, then the Inspire procedure may be a suitable option for you.
The lack of a good night’s sleep can affect various aspects of a person's life. It can result in
increased depression, anxiety, and a very unhappy sleeping partner. There are many reasons for not being able to sleep well but if you are a heavy snorer, this might be an indication you are suffer from sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by nighttime airway obstruction causing pauses in a patient’s breathing. Some patients feel themselves choking at night, while others sleep through the night, but have a very fragment sleep cycle. Both types of patients will wake up feeling tired. Not all patients that suffer from snoring experience sleep apnea but if your snoring wakes you from your sleep or if your bed partner hears pauses, gasping or choking then you should be evaluated for sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea can include:
- Snoring
- Dry Mouth
- Constant fatigue
- Trouble breathing when asleep
- Morning Headaches
- High blood pressure
If you experience one or more of the symptoms above, you should speak to one of our providers at South Florida ENT Associates about sleep apnea testing. You can be tested for sleep apnea,
also known as “polysomnogram” or “sleep study, in a variety of steps. This can usually be done at home. This assists in understanding your experience while sleeping, and while you are asleep, the device will record the signals being sent from your brain. This device will record your muscle activity while you are asleep as well, so our providers are able to determine your diagnosis. Once the device has been placed, all you must do is sleep! Our providers will examine your results and diagnose you with sleep apnea or a variety of other sleep disorders this test is able to determine.
There are many different treatment options when it comes to resolving sleep apnea. The CPAP
machine is usually the first treatment option. The CPAP machine is designed to keep your
airway open to prevent sleep apnea incidents and snoring. This is achieved by placing a mask on the face while asleep. The mask ensures that your airways are open, helping provide relief from sleep apnea episodes.
The causes of sleep apnea are very patient specific. Large tonsils, adenoids, a crowded mouth, deviated septum, and nasal polyps can all contributed. This is why it’s so important to be evaluated by an otorhinolaryngologist who can visualize all these areas.
One surgical option is the Inspire procedure. The Inspire procedure is a minimally invasive operation and is done on an outpatient basis. The Inspire device is placed under the skin near the neck and chest area. This procedure only requires two small incisions, and the recovery period is usually very short. Pain and swelling are considered a normal part of the healing process and typically only lasts a few days. Healing symptoms can be treated with regular, over-the-counter pain medication. Patients can typically return to normal activities within one or two weeks, based on a patient's rate of recovery.
The Inspire system helps relieve sleep apnea symptoms by sending a mild stimulation to the
hypoglossal nerve, which controls the tongue and muscles in the airway. The Inspire system is a
simple procedure that helps result in a healthy night’s sleep.
In comparison to the popular CPAP, the Inspire procedure has many benefits that include:
- No bulky machine, mask, or hoses
- No nighttime noise pollution
- It is an FDA-approved treatment
Furthermore, 90% of bed partners report their partners are no longer snoring after Inspire (the
Inspire procedure), and 96% of patients say Inspire is better than CPAP and would recommend it to others.
Sleep is crucial for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It allows our bodies to repair and restore themselves, helps our memory and learning, and supports healthy brain function. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of negative consequences, including decreased cognitive performance, mood disturbances, and increased risk of chronic health conditions. Prioritizing
adequate and high-quality sleep is crucial for overall health and wellness.
If you feel that you should seek out a healthcare provider for your sleepless nights, reaching out to an ENT doctor is a good decision. If you're in the Miami area and suffer from sleep apnea,
come visit one of our providers at South Florida ENT Associates.
