If you snore loudly, wake up exhausted, or have been told you stop breathing during sleep, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a common but serious condition that affects millions of Americans. The good news: Holy Name now offers a breakthrough treatment called Inspire® therapy, and it requires no mask, no hose, and no CPAP machine.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to collapse or become blocked. This can happen dozens, even hundreds, of times per night, briefly cutting off your breathing and jolting your body partially awake, even if you don't remember it. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health risks, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cognitive decline, says Dr. Rosemary Ojo, Chief of Otolaryngology at Holy Name.
Common signs and symptoms of OSA include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
- Waking up with a dry mouth, sore throat, or headache
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes, irritability, or depression
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
What is a CPAP machine?
The most common treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine, which delivers pressurized air through a mask that the patient wears during sleep. CPAP is effective, but many people find it uncomfortable, claustrophobic, or simply too disruptive to use consistently. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Studies show that up to half of CPAP users do not use their device as prescribed.
"I hear all the time from patients who were diagnosed, prescribed CPAP, and then quietly gave up because they just didn’t get the benefits they expected,” says Dr. Theophanis Pavlou, a pulmonary and sleep medicine physician who activates the therapy. “They blame themselves, when really they just needed a different solution. Inspire meets patients where they are. When their therapy works consistently, the difference in how they feel day-to-day is remarkable."
What is Inspire therapy?
Inspire therapy is an FDA-approved, implantable treatment that works from inside your body with no mask and no hose. Dr. Ojo places a small device under the skin during a same-day, minimally invasive outpatient procedure. It monitors your breathing throughout the night and, when needed, delivers a gentle impulse to the airway muscles to keep your airway open.
When you're ready for bed, you simply click a small handheld remote to turn on the therapy. When you wake up, you turn it off. There is nothing to wear, nothing to fill with water, and nothing to clean every morning.
“For patients who cannot use CPAP, Inspire offers a life-changing alternative,” Dr. Ojo says, “and now they can access it right here at Holy Name.”
Is Inspire therapy right for you?
Inspire therapy may be an option if you:
- Have been diagnosed with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea
- Have tried CPAP and been unable to tolerate it
- Are an adult who meets certain health and BMI criteria
A consultation with one of our sleep specialists will determine whether Inspire therapy is a good fit for you. Many patients report significantly improved sleep quality and overall quality of life after starting Inspire therapy.
Inspire therapy at Holy Name
We invite you to take the next step toward restful sleep. To learn more about Inspire therapy and to find out if you may be a candidate, contact Dr. Ojo at (201) 816-9800 or Dr. Pavlou at (201) 871-3636 to schedule a consultation.
