7 / 8
Are you struggling to use CPAP, or do you know some-
body who is? CPAP is the first-line treatment for sleep ap-
nea, but only about 40 percent of patients are able to use
CPAP consistently to treat their sleep apnea. Untreated
sleep apnea has been linked to worsened cardiovascular
disease, daytime fatigue and workplace accidents.
Dwayne Capper, MD, FACS, and Thomas Simpson,
MD, FACS, of ENT Medical Services, are the first in
Iowa to offer a new treatment for sleep apnea. It is called
Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation—and it does not use
a mask as CPAP does. The procedure, recently approved
by the FDA, uses a small implantable device to activate
key airway nerves, which keeps the airway open at night.
In a clinical study, Upper Airway Stimulation reduced
the severity of sleep apnea by nearly 70 percent.
“Finally, we have an option to treat patients who are
unable to use CPAP,” Dr. Capper says.
For more information about this approach to treating
sleep apnea, contact Drs. Capper or Simpson at ENT
Medical Services at
319-351-5680
.
Dwayne
Capper, MD,
FACS
Thomas
Simpson, MD,
FACS
Who is a
candidate
for Inspire
Upper Airway
Stimulation?
Candidates must have already
been diagnosed with moderate
to severe obstructive sleep ap-
nea and have tried to use CPAP
(but are no longer using it), are
having problems using CPAP
consistently, or are unable to get
improvement from CPAP. In addi-
tion, patients should have a body
mass index (BMI) of 32 or less.
Those with a BMI between 32
and 35 may require additional
consideration from a physician.
What’s the process
like?
Patients would first be evalu-
ated to be sure they meet the
criteria. Then a laryngoscopy
is performed under sedation to
make sure the airway shape is
suitable for the therapy.
The surgery is typically an
outpatient procedure under
general anesthesia. Patients
have a brief recovery to non-
strenuous activity within three
to four days. The device is
then activated one month after
surgery, and patients are given
a small sleep remote to control
their device. A sleep study is
done two months after surgery
to ensure that the device is
being used most effectively.
Is it covered by
insurance?
Currently the therapy is reviewed
and approved by insurance on a
case-by-case basis. Your doctors
will work with the company and
your insurer to obtain approval
on your behalf, before any
surgery is scheduled. You don’t
need to have prior approval from
your insurance before your first
clinic visit.
Your out-of-pocket expenses
will depend on your insurance
plan and your co-pays, but in
general, the co-pay should
be similar to other surgical
procedures.
S
L
U
M
B
E
R
~ON~
I
If you’ve had a bad night’s sleep, you may see
it in your face the next morning. But chances
are the rest of your body—including your
brain—is paying for it too.
✦
No matter who
you are, sleep is essential for good health. It
can help you make memories and good decisions, and it
can help prevent illness. If you’re not sure you believe in
the benefits of a good night’s sleep, these facts just might
change your mind.
>
I do fine on just a few hours of sleep.
<
Adults typically need seven to nine hours of
sleep per night. Sleeping less can affect your
mood, memory, energy level and productivity.
A chronic lack of sleep is also linked to serious health
conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, depression and heart
disease. And once you have these problems, getting too
little sleep can make it harder to manage them.
>
If I’m not sleeping enough during the week,
it’s OK to catch up on the weekend.
<
While sleeping in on a weekend may seem like
a sound strategy, keeping a regular bedtime
and waking schedule—and sticking with it as much as
possible—is a better plan.
Changes in your sleep schedule, even if you’re suppos-
edly catching up, can interfere with your sleep cycle, which
may mean more lost sleep and fatigue in the long run.
>
Exercising before bed will help me sleep.
<
Physical activity can be a sleep aid—but only
if you time it right.
Exercising close to bedtime can invigorate you and
make getting to sleep more difficult. If you normally work
out at night, try switching to a morning routine. If you
have to wait until later in the day, try not to exercise for
at least three hours before you hit the sheets.
GET MORE SHUT-EYE
If you’re having trouble drifting
off, simple changes may help. Try these:
●
●
Relax before bed with a good book or a warm bath.
●
●
Avoid naps, particularly after 3 p.m. If you do nap,
keep it short—limit it to no more than 20 minutes.
●
●
Don’t eat a large meal or drink too many fluids close
to bedtime.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Why sleep is so important
Unmasking a new treatment for sleep apnea
S l e e p
S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5
7
W E L L
A W A R E