Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic Now Offers Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea

If you suffer from sleep apnea and have had difficulties with traditional treatments, there’s another option.

Columbus Community Hospital’s Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic is pleased to offer Inspire therapy, an innovative treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. Inspire can help people who struggle with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, offering a promising alternative to help them manage their condition effectively.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 22 million Americans and can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. It occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, disrupting oxygen flow to the brain and leading to difficulty with sleeping.

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process. The outpatient procedure involves placing a small device under the skin, typically allowing patients to return home the same day with minimal discomfort. Through mild stimulation, the therapy helps keep the airway open during sleep, making it easier for oxygen to flow. Patients manage the device using a simple handheld remote, activating it before sleep and deactivating it after they wake up.

Dr. Lauren Jazwick, an otolaryngologist at Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic, performs Inspire surgeries at Columbus Community Hospital.

In order to qualify for Inspire therapy, patients must meet specific criteria, including:

• Intolerance to CPAP.

• A suitable body mass index (BMI).

• Recent sleep study results.

• Appropriate apnea hypoxia index (AHI) levels.

Qualified candidates undergo a comprehensive screening process — including consultations and airway examinations — to make sure the therapy is right for them.

For more information about Inspire therapy and its availability at Columbus Otolaryngology Clinic, call the clinic at 402-562-4720 or visit columbusotolaryngology.com.