Northwest Health – La Porte recently completed its first implant procedure offering a new treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
The procedure helps patients who are unable to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles of the throat relax, causing the airway to narrow or close and interrupt normal breathing. Each time this occurs, the brain briefly wakes the person to restore airflow. These repeated interruptions can lead to poor sleep and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and other health issues.
To help address the condition, Dr. Jaron Pettis, a general surgeon with Northwest Medical Group, now performs an implant procedure that helps patients breathe naturally and sleep more soundly.
The device functions much like a pacemaker. It monitors the patient’s breathing patterns while they sleep and delivers a gentle stimulation to the tongue muscles during inhalation. This stimulation keeps the airway open and allows for normal breathing throughout the night. Instead of wearing a CPAP mask, patients use a small handheld remote to turn the device on at bedtime and off when they wake up.
Patients interested in the procedure must consult with a pulmonologist, who will determine if they are a candidate. According to Northwest Health, obstructive sleep apnea affects about 22 million Americans.
