Do you often wake up with a morning headache, or frequently complain of being tired? Has your sleep partner complained of your snoring or noticed you stirring in the night, gasping for breath?  There may be more to blame than your mattress for your morning grogginess. 

Sleep-disordered breathing is a broad term encompassing several conditions that result in abnormal breathing during sleep. Some of these conditions include snoring, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, and Sleep Apnea. The most prevalent form of sleep disordered breathing is obstructive sleep apnea. 

Signs You May Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The following are a few of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea. These symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and may indicate the need for further medical evaluation. 

1. Snoring

   Snoring is quite common and happens as a result of the relaxation of the tongue, mouth tissues, and throat. When air flows through, it creates vibrations in the tissue, resulting in a snoring sound. 

   
   

2. Disruptive Breathing or Gasping in Sleep

   Sleep apnea can cause pauses in breathing or gasping for air during sleep. You may notice waking up at night, gasping for air, or your sleep partner may observe this behavior. 

   
   

3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

   Poor sleep quality can result in daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. 

   
   

4. Morning Headaches

   A lack of restful sleep and fluctuations in oxygen levels during the night can lead to headaches or migraines upon waking. 

   
   

5. Dry Mouth or Sore Throat

   Mouth breathing while sleeping can lead to dryness in the mouth or a sore throat.

   
   

To learn more about sleep-disordered breathing and when to consult an ENT specialist, see our article here. 

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

You may already be familiar with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help get a better night’s sleep. But many patients struggle with CPAP therapy due to mask discomfort, uncomfortable pressure and even claustrophobia. If you have struggled to use a CPAP machine in the past, take heart, there is a new treatment available: Inspire® therapy. Inspire therapy is the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that boasts: no mask, no hose, just sleep. 

Inspire® Therapy Treats Sleep Apnea without a mask:

Inspire® therapy is a mask-free solution for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea who have tried and struggled with CPAP. Through a user-friendly system that includes the Inspire® implant, remote, and app, Inspire therapy allows you to manage your OSA treatment from the palm of your hand—without the need for a CPAP machine.

How Inspire® Therapy Works:

Inspire therapy for sleep apnea is a minimally invasive, surgically implanted device that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve. This nerve is a motor nerve responsible for controlling both voluntary and involuntary movements of the tongue.

The stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve by the Inspire therapy implant helps keep the airway open during sleep by moving the tongue and other muscles aside, preventing the obstruction that causes sleep apnea. The device continuously monitors breathing during sleep and sends gentle electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve.

A small, handheld remote controls the device, allowing the patient to turn it on before bed and off in the morning. 

Benefits of Inspire® Therapy:

The Inspire® device for upper airway stimulation therapy offers significant benefits to patients suffering from OSA. Patients with the Inspire® implant experience a notable reduction in airway obstruction. They report enhanced daytime concentration and functioning. Snoring is dramatically reduced, sleep quality improves, and they enjoy a better quality of life.

Is Inspire® Therapy Right for You?

Have you been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but the CPAP machine just doesn’t work for you? An outpatient treatment offered at Topeka Ear, Nose, and Throat called Inspire® therapy may be an option to help you reduce snoring and relieve sleep apnea symptoms.

Your doctor at Topeka Ear, Nose and Throat can help you determine if Inspire® therapy is right for you. To start, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Age 18 or Older

• Diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA

• Have tried and struggled with CPAP treatment

To learn more, contact the sleep experts at Topeka ENT today for a consultation.