If you are experiencing sleep apnea, HealthPlus Medical Center provides advanced treatment options tailored to your needs. This common condition affects over 18 million individuals in the United States, characterized by interruptions in breathing due to airway blockages or abnormal collapses of the pharynx, the cavity behind the nose and mouth. The resulting sounds—snoring, choking, or gasping—can indicate serious health concerns. Long-term effects may include cognitive impairments and cardiovascular issues like memory loss, heart attacks, and strokes. For more information about the underlying causes of sleep apnea, consider checking out this informative blog post.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Our sleep medicine specialists offer a wide range of solutions for managing sleep apnea:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This is the primary treatment for sleep apnea. The CPAP machine gently provides air to keep your airway open while you sleep. It may take some time to adjust, and various models are available to accommodate individual needs.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: A custom-fitted device similar to a mouthguard helps maintain an open airway by preventing the tongue and soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing.
- Weight Management Strategies: Excess weight can contribute to airway obstructions during sleep. Our weight management and surgical weight loss programs may help alleviate or even resolve sleep apnea for those who are overweight.
- Surgical Interventions: In severe cases, surgical options may be necessary. Our skilled head and neck surgeons are experienced in performing these procedures. One innovative approach is Inspire Therapy, which is detailed below.
Innovative Inspire Therapy
Inspire therapy is an FDA-approved treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. At HealthPlus Medical Center, we are among the select providers in the region offering this revolutionary solution.
The Inspire system monitors your breathing patterns while you sleep, delivering gentle stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls critical airway muscles. This keeps your airway open throughout the night. Patients control the Inspire device using a small remote, allowing them to adjust stimulation levels as needed. The implantation is done as an outpatient procedure, with most patients returning home the same day. After activation, a follow-up sleep study is conducted to optimize the therapy for individual needs.
Who is a Candidate for Inspire Therapy?
Patients may qualify for Inspire therapy if they:
- Have been diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) exceeding 15 events per hour.
- Experience difficulties or lack of consistent improvement with CPAP.
- Are not significantly overweight.
Our Dedicated Sleep Apnea Team
The success of Inspire therapy hinges on a collaborative approach among our diverse healthcare providers. Dr. Lisa Tran, MD, is the lead specialist at our sleep clinic, overseeing initial evaluations and ongoing management for Inspire patients. She closely collaborates with Dr. Mark Jensen, a head and neck surgeon responsible for the Inspire device implantation.
Additional Resources
For more information about snoring and its potential link to sleep apnea, you can explore this resource from a trusted authority. Additionally, if you’re looking for effective solutions, check out this top-rated anti-snoring mouthpiece that promises results from the very first night of use.
To Summarize: HealthPlus Medical Center offers a variety of treatments for sleep apnea, including CPAP machines, oral appliances, weight management, and Inspire therapy. Our specialized team is committed to providing personalized care to improve your sleep quality and overall health. For further information and support, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team.