3 columbushosp.org Going maskless: Inspire therapy for sleep apnea Loud snoring that awakens your bed partner. Episodes in which you stop breathing while you sleep. Daytime exhaustion. These are among the hallmark signs of sleep apnea — a condition that, if left untreated, may increase your risk of stroke, heart disease and other serious health problems. The most common sleep apnea treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which requires you to wear a mask during sleep that uses pressurized air to keep your airway open. But if it’s difficult for you to use CPAP, you may want to discuss with your doctor whether alternative treatment is the right choice. That’s where Inspire therapy comes in. Inspire uses a battery-powered device instead of a mask and pressurized air to prevent sleep apnea breathing pauses. “It’s a small procedure during which we place an implant near the collarbone,” said Lauren Jazwick, DO, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist with Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic. “The implant sends small impulses to your tongue to keep your airway open when you’re breathing at night.” The Inspire device has two main parts — the implant near the collarbone senses when you breathe in and out, and the other piece wraps around the nerve of the tongue. The components work together to stimulate your tongue so it moves just millimeters — enough to keep the airway from collapsing during sleep, Jazwick explained. Who’s it for? You might be a candidate for Inspire if you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, and have been unable to tolerate your CPAP for any reason, including discomfort. You’ll first undergo a roughly 20-minute airway exam while you’re sleeping and Breathe easier Explore what Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic can do for you at columbusotolaryngology.com. snoring, during which Jazwick and the team will check to see if you have the type of airway anatomy that is best suited to Inspire therapy. If you’re a good candidate, Jazwick will implant the Inspire device in a second procedure performed under general anesthesia. “We have to allow time for the nerve stimulator to start adhering to the nerve and working,” Jazwick said. “So, we wait about six weeks before we turn it on.” The battery in the implanted component will need to be replaced after about 11 years. Inspire therapy may help you get a good night’s sleep and feel rested. And because it significantly improves snoring, “it also helps your bed partner,” Jazwick noted. By assisting you in controlling sleep apnea, Inspire therapy may also reduce the risk of complications from the condition. Life-changing care As an ENT specialist, Jazwick treats an array of head and neck conditions, including ear infections, sinus problems, cancers, hoarseness, dizziness, and balance and swallowing problems. Whether she’s treating a sinus problem or placing a child’s ear tube, the Bradshaw, Nebraska, native says she loves that she gets to make a difference in her patients’ lives. “People just feel better, and it really is a life-changer,” she said.
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