Bay Pines VA Offers Relief From Sleep Apnea

It is a condition that causes a person’s upper airway to collapse during sleep, causing breathing to remain on a constant cycle of starting and stopping. When left untreated, it can cause motor vehicle accidents, mood and memory lapses, strokes, heart attacks and, in some cases, death.

In an effort to ensure Veterans have access to the most cutting-edge treatment for this disease, Bay Pines VA now offers an FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment called Inspire. This treatment is offered as an alternative for people who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

“Veterans who are intolerant of CPAP can’t wear it [because] they can’t keep it on, they feel claustrophobic or [they have] other reasons,” said Bay Pines VA Ear, Nose and Throat Physician Dr. Jason Hahn. “Veterans who fall into certain categories may be candidates for the Inspire therapy, which is like a pacemaker for the tongue.”

The Inspire system consists of a small device that is surgically implanted under the skin and sits on top of the right chest muscle. There are two wires leading from the device; one that senses breathing and the other that leads to the nerve that controls tongue protrusion. This wire, a stimulation wire, is controlled via a remote that allows the Veteran to activate the device each night before falling asleep.

“To be considered for the Inspire therapy, Veterans must talk with their primary care doctor and have a sleep study that has been conducted within the last two years,” said Hahn. “Patients will also need to have a sleep endoscopy completed to see if they are viable candidates for the therapy.”

The sleep endoscopy entails light sedation at a level that allows the Veteran to breathe unassisted, in a manner that mimics sleep. While in the operating room, a small telescope is placed inside the nose to visualize the soft palate and airway.

“Once a Veteran meets all the criteria for the Inspire therapy, we schedule the outpatient surgery to implant the device,” said Hahn. “About a month after the surgery, once the Veteran heals, they are brought back in to activate the device and receive the remote.”

While there are potential side effects associated with the procedure, most recipients can expect to experience better sleep quality, higher energy levels, and increased focus during the day. Additionally, Veterans who undergo this procedure significantly reduce their risk of severe health issues, such as heart disease and stroke.

“We want Veterans to understand that Inspire is a secondary treatment, not a primary treatment. We try to tell them to use CPAP first,” said Hahn. “Sleep apnea is a bigger problem than people think. Talk to your primary care doctor if you have any concerns about your sleep quality and get a sleep study done.”