Photos by Ray Bryant , Bryant Studios
Sleep Dallas is a sleep disorders clinic that treats patients with conditions such as narcolepsy , RLS , circadian rhythm disorders , insomnia , and sleep apnea .
Respironics recalled 4 million bi-level positive airway pressure ( BiPAP ) machines , and continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP ) machines in June 2021 due to potential health risks . Now , supply chain disruptions are impacting the delivery of PAP devices and the doctors at Sleep Dallas frequently hear from patients that the machines have been on backorder for months . Fortunately , safe , effective treatment options for patients have expanded over recent years .
While PAP therapy is still standard , new improved oral appliances are smaller , stronger , and digitally accurate .
Although PAP ( positive airway pressure ) therapy for sleep apnea is effective , the low compliance rate (< 50 %) remains a persistent concern . Patients who have been prescribed PAP therapy have also been plagued by other issues . Philips
“ Sleep medicine treatment has evolved over the past decade ,” notes Dr . Dibra . “ Although PAP therapy is still standard , new improved oral appliances are smaller , stronger , and digitally accurate . Innovative treatments have also emerged , like eXciteOSA ® which uses a removable mouthpiece to reduce snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea by strengthening tongue muscles through pulses of electrical stimulation .” The device is used for 20 minutes each day for six weeks , then once a week after the initial treatment period .
The newest innovation to treat OSA is a pacemaker for the tongue called Inspire , an upper airway stimulation system that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to maintain a patent airway . The system uses a small impulse generator implanted beneath the clavicle in an outpatient procedure , a lead placed between the external and intercostal muscles that detects inspiration ,
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