Discover Inspire Sleep: Advanced Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. OSA causes breathing interruptions during sleep, which can lead to daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and reduced quality of life. OSA is often treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers pressurized air to keep the airway open. However, many people find CPAP uncomfortable, noisy, or inconvenient, and may not use it consistently or at all.

Fortunately, there is a new and innovative alternative to CPAP for people with moderate to severe OSA: Inspire sleep. Inspire is a small device that is implanted under the skin of the chest and neck, and works by gently stimulating the nerve that controls the tongue and other muscles that keep the airway open. Inspire is controlled by a remote that the user turns on before going to bed and off upon waking up. Inspire is clinically proven to reduce OSA symptoms, improve daytime functioning, and enhance quality of life.

Table of Contents

About Inspire

Inspire is a device that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 as a treatment for moderate to severe OSA in adults who are unable to use or get consistent benefit from CPAP. Inspire is the first and only FDA-approved implantable device for OSA that works inside the body with the patient's natural breathing process.

OSA is a condition that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep due to the collapse of the upper airway. This can lead to daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, mood disorders, cardiovascular problems, and reduced quality of life. CPAP is the most common treatment for OSA, but many patients find it uncomfortable, noisy, or inconvenient to use.

Inspire works by delivering mild electrical stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movement of the tongue and other key airway muscles. By stimulating these muscles, Inspire keeps the airway open during sleep, allowing the patient to breathe normally and sleep peacefully. Inspire is controlled by a small handheld remote that the patient uses to turn the device on before bed and off upon waking up.

Inspire's Function and Benefits

Inspire consists of three main components: a small generator, a breathing sensor lead, and a stimulation lead. The generator is implanted under the skin of the upper chest, and the leads are tunneled under the skin to connect to the generator. The breathing sensor lead detects the patient's breathing patterns, and the stimulation lead delivers stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve.

Inspire offers several benefits over CPAP and other treatments for OSA. Some of these benefits are:

  • It is effective: Inspire has been shown to reduce sleep apnea events by 79% and improve quality of life measures by 80% in clinical trials . It also has a high patient satisfaction rate of 91% .
  • It is comfortable: Inspire does not require a mask, hose, or machine that can interfere with sleep comfort and intimacy. It also does not cause dry mouth, nasal congestion, or skin irritation that are common side effects of CPAP.
  • It is convenient: Inspire is easy to use and does not require any maintenance or cleaning. It also does not need to be plugged in or recharged, as it has a battery life of about 11 years .
  • It is discreet: Inspire is invisible under clothing and does not make any noise during operation. It also does not affect speech or swallowing, as it only stimulates the tongue during sleep.

Inspire's Suitability and Eligibility

Inspire is not suitable for everyone with OSA. It is intended for patients who have moderate to severe OSA (with an apnea-hypopnea index of 15 to 65), who are over 22 years old, who have a body mass index of less than 32 kg/m2, and who have failed or cannot tolerate CPAP therapy .

To determine if Inspire is right for you, you need to undergo a comprehensive evaluation by an Inspire-trained physician. This evaluation may include:

  • A sleep study to confirm your diagnosis and severity of OSA.
  • A physical examination of your airway anatomy to assess your suitability for Inspire.
  • A drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) to observe how your airway behaves during sleep and how it responds to stimulation.
  • A consultation with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and a pulmonologist or sleep medicine specialist to discuss your treatment options and expectations.

If you are eligible for Inspire, you will need to undergo a minimally invasive outpatient surgery to implant the device. The surgery typically takes about two hours and involves making three small incisions in the chest and neck area. You will be able to go home on the same day or the next day after surgery.

Inspire's Success Stories

Inspire has helped thousands of patients with OSA improve their sleep quality and overall health. Here are some of their stories:

  • Lottie Davis from Greenville, SC suffered from severe sleep apnea and daytime fatigue. She tried CPAP but could not tolerate it. She decided to get Inspire in 2018 and since then, she has experienced a dramatic improvement in her energy levels, mood and productivity. She says: "I have energy that I didn't have before."
  • Charles "Chock" Chapple from Wisconsin had sleep and breathing problems for nearly two decades. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed CPAP, but he found it uncomfortable and noisy. He learned about Inspire from his doctor and underwent the implant surgery in 2021. He says: "It's not only changed my life, but I honestly think Inspire saved my life."
  • Michael Long from Charleston, SC had severe sleep apnea that caused him to snore loudly and stop breathing several times a night. He also had high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. He tried CPAP but could not use it consistently. He opted for Inspire in 2019 and noticed a significant difference in his sleep quality and health. He says: "I feel like I'm getting a full night's rest for the first time in years."

These are just some of the many success stories of Inspire users who have regained control of their sleep and their lives. You can read more testimonials and watch videos of real patients on the Inspire website .

Q&A

How much does Inspire sleep cost?

Inspire is covered by most major insurance plans in the US, including Medicare. The cost of Inspire may vary depending on your insurance coverage, deductible, co-pay and co-insurance. You can contact your insurance provider or the Inspire team to find out more about your specific situation. You can also use the online insurance verification tool on the Inspire website to check your eligibility .

What are the pros and cons of Inspire sleep?

Inspire is a safe and effective alternative to CPAP for people with moderate to severe OSA who cannot use or get consistent benefit from CPAP. It is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any facial mask, hose or machine. It is easy to use and can be customized to your sleep patterns. It can improve your sleep quality, daytime alertness, mood, health and quality of life.

However, Inspire is not suitable for everyone. It requires a surgical implantation that carries some risks and potential complications, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, device malfunction or migration. It also requires regular follow-up visits with your doctor to monitor your progress and adjust your settings. It may not eliminate all your sleep apnea events or symptoms, and you may still need to use other treatments or lifestyle changes to manage your condition.

You should discuss the pros and cons of Inspire with your doctor and weigh them against your personal preferences, goals and expectations.

Always consult your doctor before making any decisions about your health.

You may be interested in these articles:

Sleep Apnea Tests

Surgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured Naturally?

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