When Jason Miller’s wife elbowed him awake for the fifth time in one night, he knew something had to change. “She told me I’d stop breathing, then gasp for air. It was terrifying for her,” recalls the 47-year-old Omaha resident. After a sleep study confirmed severe obstructive sleep apnea, Miller tried a CPAP machine but couldn’t tolerate the mask. “I felt trapped, claustrophobic. I’d rip it off in my sleep.”
Miller’s story echoes throughout Nebraska, where an estimated 22% of adults suffer from sleep apnea. Many struggle with traditional treatments. Now, CHI Health is offering hope through an innovative surgical solution.
The health system recently introduced Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, an FDA-approved implantable device that works with the body’s natural breathing process. Unlike CPAP machines that force air through a mask, this pacemaker-like device delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles during sleep, keeping the airway open.
“This represents a significant advancement for patients who’ve exhausted other options,” explains Dr. Megan Thomas, otolaryngologist at CHI Health. “The procedure takes about two hours, with patients typically returning home the same day.”
The technology targets the root cause of sleep apnea. During sleep, muscles relax, allowing the tongue and soft tissue to collapse and block airflow. The Inspire device senses breathing patterns and stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement, preventing this collapse.
Clinical data supports its effectiveness. A five-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a 79% reduction in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality of life.
“The most remarkable outcome is how patients describe feeling truly rested for the first time in years,” notes Dr. Thomas. “They report improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and reduced daytime sleepiness.”
Sleep apnea’s health implications extend beyond poor rest. Untreated, it increases risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and accidents from fatigue. Many sufferers also experience depression and strained relationships due to disruptive snoring.
The outpatient procedure involves three small incisions and a recovery period of about two weeks. Once healed, patients use a small remote control to turn the device on before bed and off upon waking.
Insurance coverage has improved significantly, with Medicare and most private insurers now covering the procedure for eligible patients who have failed CPAP therapy.
For Miller, who received the implant three months ago, the change has been profound. “My wife says I’m a different person. I have energy again, and she can finally sleep without worrying I’ll stop breathing.”
While not appropriate for all sleep apnea patients, CHI Health’s multidisciplinary team carefully evaluates candidates based on their specific anatomy, severity of apnea, and previous treatment attempts.
“We’re not suggesting this should replace CPAP therapy as the first-line treatment,” emphasizes Dr. Thomas. “But for those who can’t tolerate CPAP, this offers a life-changing alternative.”
As sleep medicine evolves, this surgical option represents a promising frontier in addressing a condition that affects millions. The question remains: could technological innovations like this eventually make sleep disorders a thing of the past?
For more information about sleep apnea treatment options, visit CHI Health or speak with your healthcare provider about a referral to a sleep medicine specialist at Epoch Edge Health.
