How Does Inspire Work? A Breakthrough for Sleep Apnea Relief

Key Takeaways

• Inspire therapy works to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using a small device implanted in your body. 

• This device stimulates the airway muscles to keep your throat open while you sleep.

• It works automatically with your natural breathing patterns and is turned on with a remote.

• It's a great option if you've tried CPAP and didn’t get the best results or if you couldn’t tolerate the mask and machine.

Tired of fighting with your CPAP every night? You’re not the only one… Many people with obstructive sleep apnea struggle with using bulky masks and noisy machines (and their partners might not be such a big fan either).

The good news? There are other options! Inspire therapy is a new mask-free treatment for sleep apnea that actually works from inside your body. 

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how Inspire works, who it’s for, and what you can expect. We'll also look at a few alternatives if you feel it’s not the right treatment option for you.

Understanding Inspire Therapy

Inspire therapy is an innovative, FDA-approved treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Instead of forcing pressurised air into your lungs, it stimulates your upper airway to help keep your throat open naturally.

The Inspire device is implanted during a simple outpatient procedure, and once inside, it gently stimulates key airway muscles while you’re asleep, preventing them from collapsing inwards.

It's especially helpful for people who experience dry mouth at night, mask leaks, or discomfort with traditional CPAP treatment.

How Does Inspire Work?

Inspire therapy works by delivering gentle pulses to certain muscles in your upper airway, especially the ones that control your tongue. These pulses are timed with your natural breathing to keep your airway open all night long.

All you have to do is turn it on with a remote when you’re ready to sleep, and the device will do its job throughout the night, making it one of the most effective alternatives to manage sleep apnea without a CPAP machine.

Technology Behind Inspire

The Inspire device is made up of three small parts:

• A stimulator by your collarbone that sends mild electrical signals.

• A breathing sensor in your chest that tracks your breathing patterns.

• A nerve lead that connects to the hypoglossal nerve, which moves your tongue.

Every time you take a breath, the sensor tells the device to send a gentle pulse. This pulse moves your tongue slightly forward so your airway stays open.

The Implant Process

Getting Inspire is a quick outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia. It usually takes about two hours. Here’s how it works:

1. The doctor makes a few small incisions in your chest and neck.

2. The stimulator and sensor are placed under your skin.

3. A lead is attached to the hypoglossal nerve in your neck.

Most people go home the same day and recover in just a few days. After about a month, your doctor will activate the device so you can start using it.

Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment

Inspire therapy isn't programmed in the same way for everyone. The device is smart, meaning it monitors your breathing patterns in real time and adjusts the muscle stimulation automatically as you sleep.

You also get a handheld remote that lets you turn the device on and off, or change the settings.

Inspire vs. CPAP: Which Is Better for You?

CPAP is often the first treatment suggested for OSA, but it doesn’t work for everyone. If you’ve tried CPAP therapy and still snore, feel tired, or can’t tolerate the mask, Inspire might be a good choice to look into.

Both are effective sleep apnea treatments, but the right choice depends on your unique needs and a proper evaluation from a healthcare professional.

Benefits of Inspire Therapy

By reducing the negative effects of sleep apnea on your health and eliminating the unpleasant side effects of CPAP, Inspire therapy can improve your daily life in many ways.

1. Natural Breathing Support

Inspire supports your natural breathing instead of forcing air in like CPAP machines. This allows you to breathe regularly and sleep soundly with fewer interruptions.

Many people report better sleep, less daytime sleepiness, and reduced snoring soon after using Inspire. 

Learn more here about some of the other best anti-snoring devices for a peaceful sleep.

2. No Masks or Hoses

CPAP machines can cause dry mouth at night, skin irritation, and pressure marks on your face. Inspire removes all of these potential side effects, since unlike CPAP, there’s nothing on your face, just a small, implanted device that you’ll be unaware of, and a remote. That means you can move freely and sleep in any position without worrying about CPAP gear.

3. Easy and Customizable Use

The remote control makes Inspire really easy to use. Just click it when you're ready to sleep, and the therapy turns on automatically. 

You can also adjust the strength of stimulation over time. This can give you more control and comfort than a CPAP mask and machine setup.

Who Should Consider Inspire Therapy

You may be a candidate for Inspire if:

• You have moderate to severe OSA

• You’ve tried CPAP and struggled to use it consistently

• You’ve been searching for other CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea

• You have a BMI below 40

• You’re over 18 years old

• You’re not experiencing a full blockage in your airway

• You pass a sleep endoscopy test to make sure Inspire will work for you

Note: You’ll need a sleep study and evaluation by a sleep specialist to confirm if you’re eligible for Inspire.

What to Expect During The Inspire Procedure

• Consultation: You’ll meet a sleep specialist to discuss your case and history.

• Sleep study and airway exam: This will confirm your OSA diagnosis and see if Inspire is the right call.

• Surgery: You’ll undergo an outpatient surgical procedure to implant the Inspire device.

• Recovery: You can expect to recover within a few days after the procedure. Side effects might include mild soreness or swelling near the implant area after the procedure, but this should only be temporary. 

• Activating the device: Inspire is turned on about a month after your surgery.

• Follow-up sleep study: This will ensure your device is working as it should to improve your sleep apnea symptoms.

• Adjustments and yearly check-ups: Your doctor can fine-tune the device over time.
  

Choose Alternative Solution for Sleep Apnea With Dream Recovery

Aside from medical treatments like CPAP and Inspire, there are other strategies you can utilize to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea and get better rest. 

By preventing unhealthy mouth breathing with mouth tape or learning about other ways to train yourself to sleep with your mouth close, and these essential tips to stop mouth breathing, you can improve your body’s natural breathing patterns to reduce apnea episodes. 

Dream Recovery offers the best mouth tape for sleep apnea. Thanks to the use of organic bamboo silk and hypoallergenic adhesive, this mouth tape is gentle on sensitive skin while strong enough to stay on all night for the best results. Learn more here about the benefits of mouth taping for sleep. 

Support deeper sleep and healthier breathing with Dream Recovery Mouth Tape.