Inspire® Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Your Questions, Answered

If you have sleep apnea and find the “gold standard” treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, hard to tolerate, you’re not alone. While CPAP technology has advanced significantly in recent years to improve comfort and usability, it isn’t the right fit for everyone. But it’s not your only option.

Inspire® therapy is an innovative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that uses gentle electric stimulation to help you breathe better while you sleep. 

In honor of Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, Dr. Nehal Mehta, Dr. Prashant Patel, and our team at Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, are here to help you better understand your treatment options. 

Below, we answer some of the most common questions we get about Inspire therapy for the sleep disorder.

What is Inspire therapy?

Inspire therapy is an FDA-approved treatment option for moderate to severe OSA. It’s an implanted device that uses mild electrical stimulation to keep the airway open while you sleep. 

You control the device with a handheld remote, giving you the ability to turn it on and off and adjust stimulation settings. Inspire was the first hyperglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) device approved by the FDA to treat sleep apnea. 

Studies show that it can significantly reduce apnea events during sleep. 

How does Inspire therapy work?

Inspire is a type of neuromodulation therapy that delivers mild electrical pulses to the nerve that controls tongue movement. When the nerve is stimulated, the tongue moves slightly forward instead of relaxing backward and blocking the airway. 

The device has a breathing sensor that monitors your natural breathing pattern while sleeping. When you inhale, Inspire syncs the stimulation with your breath, helping keep the airway open at the right moment.  

The device monitors your natural breathing pattern during sleep, detecting the level of effort used to breathe in and out. It then syncs with your natural breathing pattern and delivers the electrical signal to your nerve when you breathe in, so the tongue moves forward. 

In addition to minimizing airway obstruction, Inspire therapy also reduces snoring. 

Can Inspire therapy help me?

We determine if Inspire therapy is a good choice for you after a consultation. It’s primarily recommended for adults with moderate to severe OSA with poor tolerance to CPAP therapy or inadequate results. 

It’s also an option for adolescents and young adults with sleep apnea who aren’t good candidates for tonsil or adenoid removal and haven’t responded well to other treatments.

Inspire therapy isn’t recommended for people who experience a complete collapse of the airway during sleep. 

What can I expect during surgery?

Placement of the Inspire device is an outpatient procedure, so you go home the same day. One of our specially trained Inspire providers makes two small incisions, one near the collarbone to place the device and the other near the jawline to position the leads that connect to the nerve.

Most people manage postprocedure discomfort with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication and return to normal activities within a few days.

We activate the device during a follow-up visit after healing, and have you complete a sleep study to make sure the therapy works effectively and comfortably.

What does Inspire therapy feel like?

You may notice a mild tingling sensation or gentle tongue movement when the device is on. Most people tolerate the stimulation without pain or discomfort. You can adjust the stimulation to suit your comfort level.

Inspire therapy also has a built-in delay, so it doesn’t turn on until you fall asleep. Therefore, it shouldn’t interfere with your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

While results vary, many people report improvements in sleep quality, daytime energy, mood, and overall quality of life. 

Are you skipping CPAP therapy because you find it uncomfortable or hard to use? Then consider Inspire therapy. Our team can answer your questions, explain how it works, and help determine if it’s right for you.

Call our office today or book an appointment online.