Alternative to CPAP Being Studied for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Posted on Wed, Nov 02, 2011 @ 03:52 PM
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) remains the gold standard for treating the most common sleep disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA. Conservative estimates show that over 12 million Americans suffer from OSA and majority of those are undiagnosed or untreated.
Untreated OSA sufferers are deprived of deep restful sleep leading to sleepiness and fatigue. More worrisome are numerous studies that show OSA also leads to an increased risk for a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes and stroke.
For these significant health consequences to be blatantly ignored, one must look at the primary reasons that people choose to disregard their health condition.
There are various reasons so many OSA sufferers remain untreated but at the top of the list are:
• Lack of concern that OSA is a serious condition
• Unwillingness by the patient to undergo a sleep study
• Apprehensive about being prescribed CPAP therapy
Alternatives to CPAP therapy include:
1. Losing weight, which may or may not resolve the problem
2. Sleeping on your side, which has been demonstrated to lead to further health consequences
3. Dental devices to hold the lower jaw forward
A new treatment for sleep apnea is being investigated and the Sleep Center at MidAmerica Neuroscience Institute will be one of the sites participating in the clinical trial to determine its effectiveness.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS®), by Apnex Medical, is the latest alternative to treat OSA for those that cannot tolerate CPAP. HGNS® is not yet approved for use but is currently in clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the HGNS therapy. MidAmerica Neuroscience Institute was selected as one of the clinical trial sites and will be recruiting patients to participate in this study.
The Apnex HGNS System is an implantable therapy that is intended to work by activating the muscles in the upper airway to ensure that the airway remains open during sleep. The system detects the patient’s breathing and delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, the nerve that controls the muscles of the tongue, to keep the airway open. The stimulation is timed to a patient’s own breathing pattern. The HGNS System is designed to work only when the patient is asleep through a handheld controller.
To learn more contact research coordinator, LeAnn Cannon at 913-894-1500 ext. 151 or Email at lcannon@neurokc.com