Sleep apnea

For Danville-area sleep apnea patients wrestling with using a breathing apparatus, Sovah Health is offering a new therapy option.

A technician will turn it on and program it to work best for the individual. The bottom line is if someone is suffering from sleep apnea and cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, they should go to an ear, nose and throat specialist. The Inspire device, approved in 2015 by the FDA, lasts about 10 years before a battery has to be changed. “My goal is, I just want the patient to sleep better.” The Inspire therapy is like a pacemaker for the respiratory system. Simply put, it works inside the body to prevent sleep apnea. To treat it, a CPAP machine is the gold standard. First, it makes a loud sound that can keep the patient — or partner — awake a night. For example, if it takes someone 45 minutes to fall asleep, the timer can be set to start working then. Also, depending on movement while sleeping, the CPAP mask can create a leak and blow air toward the eyes. Up to 10% of the population suffers from sleep apnea, a situation where someone stops breathing at night. It also can lead to automobile crashes, "like you are sleep deprived," Zapanta said.