Anyone who suffers from sleep apnea knows the troubles that come with it.
Dr. Srikant Kondapaneni, the co-medical director of Englewood Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine, feels Englewood Health can provide help.
Last week, the hospital announced it is now offering Inspire therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea treatment option that can provide patients with better quality sleep and improved health.
Inspire therapy is a minimally invasive, implantable treatment device that offers a safe alternative for those who cannot use or tolerate continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
“Many patients struggle with sleep apnea because they cannot tolerate the standard treatment, CPAP, with its mask and hose,” he said. “Now, we can offer our patients another effective option that will improve their sleep and, ultimately, their health. And for sleeping partners, 90% report that snoring goes away or becomes softer, helping everyone improve their sleep.”
OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, causing the airway to collapse and blocking the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep. OSA is associated with long-term health problems.
For most patients, OSA is successfully treated with a CPAP machine. But for patients with moderate to severe OSA, who cannot wear a CPAP mask, Inspire can be a life-changing alternative.
Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved OSA therapy that works inside the patient’s body. The device, implanted during a quick outpatient procedure, emits mild stimulation to open the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. A small handheld remote is used to turn Inspire on before bed and off upon waking.
Dr. Kirk Levy, the other co-medical director of Englewood Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine, said the test and the treatment for OSA are much more convenient than in the past — and that doing so is very important.
“Because sleep apnea can lead to other serious health problems, particularly affecting the heart and brain, it is important to get diagnosed and treated at the first signs of concern,” he said. “We are excited to offer this clinically proven therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”
Adding Inspire therapy to its expertise and technological advancements in sleep medicine, Englewood Health remains a prime destination for sleep health and now for this safe and effective treatment.
