Inspire Therapy Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Sleep Better With Inspire Therapy

Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated in several ways depending on a patient’s diagnosis and individual needs. CPAP is an effective treatment for many people, but it is not the right solution for everyone. For certain patients who are unable to use or tolerate positive airway pressure, or PAP, therapy, Inspire® therapy may provide another option for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Inspire therapy

WHAT IS INSPIRE THERAPY?

Inspire is an FDA-approved upper airway stimulation system used to treat certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A small device is surgically implanted under the skin and works with your natural breathing pattern while you sleep.

When you breathe in, Inspire delivers gentle stimulation to the airway muscles. This helps move the tongue forward and keep the airway open, allowing air to flow more freely throughout the night.

Unlike CPAP, Inspire does not require a mask or hose during sleep. Patients use a handheld remote to turn the therapy on before bed and off when they wake up.

HOW DOES INSPIRE THERAPY WORK? 

This therapy delivers stimulation to the tongue to open the airway passage during sleep. The stimulation device is controlled by a remote. Patients turn the device on before going to sleep and off in the morning. Your Inspire device does not immediately start delivering stimulation as soon as you turn it on at night. First, it gives patients the opportunity to fall asleep. However, you may feel a slight tingling sensation on your tongue as you fall asleep. Inspire therapy is:

  • FDA approved

  • Comfortable and maskless

  • Customizable

  • Covered by most insurance plans

  • Remote-controlled and easy-to-use

  • Long-lasting

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM INSPIRE?

Inspire therapy is not appropriate for every patient with sleep apnea. In adults, it may be considered for certain patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to use or tolerate PAP therapy.

For patients in Chesterfield, Prince George, and Henrico, VA, determining whether Inspire therapy may be appropriate requires additional evaluation.. Your VitalCare provider will consider factors such as the severity of your sleep apnea, your previous experience with PAP therapy, your overall health and the structure of your airway.

Additional testing, including an airway evaluation, may also be needed before Inspire therapy is recommended.

THE INSPIRE PROCEDURE

At VitalCare Family Practice, we put patient comfort first. Your provider will meet with you before surgery to discuss the procedure and answer any questions you have. The surgery takes about two to three hours and is performed under anesthesia. During the procedure, your provider makes one incision to the chest and one to the chin.

Most patients go home on the day of surgery and fully recover in about four to six weeks. During the first two weeks of recovery, follow all instructions from your surgeon, including refraining from strenuous activities and physical exercise.

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

Once healed, your doctor will program different levels of stimulation on your device, show you how to use the remote, and make sure you understand all instructions for your nightly therapy. Your provider will require a follow-up sleep study to ensure that your device is programmed with the correct ranges of stimulation for you.

Inspire devices are battery-operated and long-lasting—the initial battery lasts for around eleven years and changing the battery requires a simple outpatient procedure.

READY TO SLEEP BETTER?

If you are struggling to get adequate sleep or have not found success with a CPAP machine, VitalCare Family Practice can help you explore Inspire therapy at our practice serving Chesterfield, Prince George, and Henrico, VA. Call us at (804)-256-8282 or schedule an appointment on our website to get started. We look forward to serving you!

FAQs

Considering Inspire® therapy often comes with questions about how it works and whether it may be right for you. Explore answers to common questions about this treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea and what to expect during the evaluation process.

How does Inspire therapy work for sleep apnea?

Inspire is an implanted upper airway stimulation system that works with your natural breathing pattern. While you sleep, the device delivers gentle stimulation to certain airway muscles, helping move the tongue forward and keep the airway open so you can breathe more freely.

Inspire may be considered for certain adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to use or tolerate PAP therapy. Candidacy depends on several factors, including your sleep apnea severity, overall health and airway anatomy. Additional testing is required to determine eligibility.

For eligible patients, Inspire may provide an alternative when CPAP or another form of PAP therapy cannot be used or tolerated. Unlike CPAP, Inspire does not require a mask or hose during sleep. Your provider can help determine whether Inspire or another treatment may be appropriate.

Yes, Inspire therapy requires a surgical procedure to place a small device under the skin. After the area has healed, the system is activated and adjusted based on your individual needs. Your VitalCare team will explain the evaluation, procedure and follow-up process before treatment.

The first step is an evaluation of your sleep apnea diagnosis, previous PAP use, overall health and treatment history. Additional testing may be needed to evaluate your airway. VitalCare Family Practice can help determine whether further evaluation for Inspire therapy may be appropriate.