Health & Wellness
About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs in one third of the population. If left untreated, sleep apnea can worsen existing health problems or lead to new health problems.
Minimize the Risk
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to:
3x more likely to have a stroke
2x greater risk for heart disease
2x increased risk for dementia
For those who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Memorial is delivering a sleep solution – the Inspire® implant.
Inspire is a long-term, low-maintenance solution to treat OSA – and it doesn’t require a mask or hose.
You see, Inspire is an alternative to CPAP that works inside your body while you sleep. When you’re ready for bed, simply click the remote to turn Inspire on. While you sleep, Inspire opens your airway, allowing you to breathe regularly and sleep peacefully.
Let’s walk through the Inspire process, step-by-step:
1. Your initial appointment: What to expect
You will first visit Logan Dalal, MD, Medical Director of the Sleep Medicine program at Memorial Hospital. He is a Harvard-trained sleep medicine physician with a strong passion for helping people get better quality sleep.
Dr. Dalal will determine if Inspire is the right fit for you. He will look at your sleep study and, if needed, assist in getting an updated study. For insurance purposes, most sleep studies need to have been performed in the last two years.
Together, you will discuss your experience with sleep apnea and CPAP. You can also ask any questions you may have.
2. Airway exam
If Dr. Dalal determines you’re a good candidate for Inspire, you will schedule a consultation, and if appropriate, an airway exam with Benjamin Bush, MD, with Memorial Ear, Nose & Throat. In the approximate 20-minute exam, Dr. Bush will look inside your airway with a small camera to ensure Inspire is the right treatment for you.
3. Outpatient procedure
If you pass the airway exam, you will next be scheduled for the two-hour outpatient procedure, during which Inspire
is placed under the skin, with two small incisions. Most patients take over-the-counter pain medication and resume non-strenuous activities within a few days.
Qualifications for Inspire
You may qualify for Inspire if you meet the following FDA criteria*:
• You are age 18 or above
• You have been diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA
• You are unable to use or get consistent benefit from your CPAP therapy
*To be eligible for insurance coverage, you typically need a BMI, or body mass index, below 36. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have regarding your BMI, and how they may be able to help.
4. Turning on Inspire
About a month after the procedure, Inspire will be turned on during an office visit with Dr. Dalal. This is when you will learn about your Inspire Sleep Remote and how to use it. As you step up levels and get used to sleeping with Inspire, you’ll have follow-up appointments with Dr. Dalal to determine which settings are best for you.
After using Inspire at home for a few months, you will return to Memorial Sleep Medicine to fine-tune Inspire during an overnight sleep study.
Questions you may curious about:
Is Inspire covered by insurance?
If you have medical coverage, you will likely have coverage for Inspire. The Inspire implant is widely covered by a majority of traditional, Medicare, and Veterans Affair (VA) insurance plans if you meet policy criteria.
How long does the battery last?
The battery in Inspire is designed to last for approximately 11 years. Once it is running low, it is replaced during an outpatient procedure.
How often should my doctor check the Inspire implant?
Once you and your doctor determine the best settings for you, your doctor will check the status of your device once or twice a year.
