CINCINNATI (WKRC) - If you have sleep apnea and are struggling to get a good night's sleep, there is something new on the market that might help you breathe a little easier. The Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation device is now an option for people who don't tolerate traditional CPAP devices for a number of reasons.
For years, Cathy Visse struggled with restless nights because of sleep apnea, a common problem where sleep stops and starts.
"I was exhausted when I woke up," Visse said.
When a CPAP for better breathing didn't help her overcome it, Visse reached out to Dr. Joe Hellman, an ear, nose and throat specialist with The Christ Hospital, who told her the new Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation device was an option.
"Inspire is a completely implantable device that senses when you're breathing in and activates the 12th cranial nerve, the hypoglossal nerve that goes to your tongue, and specifically the branches of that nerve that tighten and push the tongue forward to keep the back of your throat, your airway, open during inspiration, hence the name Inspire," said Dr. Hellman.
Visse is able to turn it on each night with a simple device.
The Inspire device is placed into the body in a simple surgical procedure and when hooked up, it senses when you're breathing in and knows when to stimulate or activate that nerve to tighten your tongue and push it forward to keep the back of your airway open during breathing.
"Oh, I felt so much better waking up. I'm a morning person, so I was back to myself again," Visse said.
This treatment is covered by your medical insurance plan if you are a candidate for it. For more information, call 513-421-5558.
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