ACENT Alaska Center for Ear Nose and Throat
3841 Piper Street T-230
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 279-8800
Fax: (907) 279-8810
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea

If you are constantly tired, anxious, and irritable in your daily life, even though you get a full night’s sleep, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition causes you to wake up several times a night, preventing your body from getting the restorative sleep it needs. It also leads to other sleep disruptions, such as snoring, gasping, or choking.

At ACENT, we offer the only FDA-approved sleep apnea treatment device, Inspire, for our patients from Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK, and surrounding areas who have had unsuccessful results with a CPAP machine.

What Are the Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA occurs when your throat muscles relax while you sleep, blocking your airways and reducing your oxygen supply. Anything that narrows your airways can cause the condition, including obesity, large tonsils, or changes in hormone levels. When your airways are blocked, your body signals your brain about the lack of oxygen, causing you to wake repeatedly at night. Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, and patients don’t get the proper treatment they need. It’s important to seek professional help if you think you have sleep apnea.

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Signs That You May Have OSA

You may suffer from OSA if you experience the following conditions.

Daytime sleepiness
Headaches and brain fog
Short attention span

Undiagnosed OSA can lead to more serious medical conditions, such as stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

How Does Inspire Work?

Your provider will implant this stimulation device using two small incisions: one under the chin and one below the collarbone. Your Inspire implant will be activated about 30 days after your procedure, giving your body time to heal. The Inspire device tracks your breath, sending signals to your body to keep your tongue and other muscles from blocking your airway.

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What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

The surgery to implant your Inspire device is a 2- to 3-hour outpatient procedure performed while you are under general anesthesia. You may feel tingling along the tongue, swelling under your chin, and discomfort after your Inspire implantation, but you can easily manage these symptoms with over-the-counter pain medication. It’s a good idea to refrain from strenuous activities for a couple of weeks while you recover.

You will need to see your provider approximately 1 to 2 times a year so they can check the status of your device.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Inspire?

You might be a good candidate for Inspire if you meet the following criteria:

You have moderate to severe sleep apnea.
You have not succeeded with other sleep apnea treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
You are in good health.
You are over the age of 18.

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Physicians

Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors in Anchorage, Alaska, are certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, meeting the specialty’s highest standards.

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If obstructive sleep apnea interferes with your quality of life and CPAP therapy has not worked, it may be time to try Inspire. Our ENT providers can help you understand what happens during the treatment and the results you can expect. To see if you are a good candidate for Inspire, request a consultation or call us at (907) 279-8800 to schedule an appointment.

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