Inspire Sleep for Sleep Apnea

How to Prepare for Inspire Sleep Therapy

Struggling with obstructive sleep apnea? Sick of your CPAP
machine? It may be time to explore
Inspire Sleep Therapy,  a
treatment work that’s been gaining attention. This FDA-approved
method, working within your body, treats the root cause of your sleep apnea, answering questions like
“Where is Inspire implanted?“. A simple click is all it takes! Say
goodbye to uncomfortable masks and tubes – Inspire’s objective is a good night’s rest that doesn’t break your
comfort zone.

Let’s walk you through how to get started with Inspire
Sleep Therapy – from finding out if you’re the right fit for this treatment path to understanding the complete
process. This blog post will also help with post-care advice and offer some troubleshooting support with the
sleep apnea device.

Determine if You’re the Right Candidate for Inspire Sleep for Sleep Apnea

Thinking about Inspire Sleep Therapy? It’s important to
determine if you’re an appropriate candidate for the treatment:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis – If
    you’re battling moderate to serious levels of obstructive sleep apnea, then Inspire Sleep Therapy might just
    be the answer.
  • Inability to use or get consistent
    benefit from CPAP – If you’ve given CPAP a go and it isn’t giving you the expected benefits, this might be
    your cue for Inspire Sleep Therapy.
  • Not significantly obese – Inspire Sleep
    Therapy may not be suitable for people who are significantly obese.
  • Age – You must be 18 or older to be
    eligible for Inspire Sleep Therapy.
  • Insurance coverage – The good news is
    that most well-known U.S. insurance companies have covered you for this therapy, but double-check with
    yours.

You should consult with an Inspire-trained doctor to
determine if you’re a candidate for Inspire Sleep Therapy. They will examine your upper airway and review your
most recent sleep study to determine if you meet the criteria for the treatment. You can find an Inspire-trained
doctor by visiting the Gwinnett Sleep website.

Prepare for the Procedure

Ready for Inspire Sleep Therapy? Here’s your step-by-step
plan of action:

Schedule a Consultation

Get in touch with an Inspire-trained doctor and lock in a
date for your consultation. The healthcare provider will review your situation and check if you’re the right fit
for this treatment.

Pre-procedure Instructions

Your doctor will provide details to follow before the big
day – from fasting to updating your meds schedule.

Arrange for Transportation

Because of the surgical nature of Inspire Sleep Therapy,
you’ll need someone else to drive you after the surgery. Ensure necessary arrangements are made for
transportation in advance.

Pack a Bag

Toss essentials like comfortable clothes, toiletries, and
necessary medications into a compact bag – there’s a chance of an overnight stay at the medical facility, so be
prepared!

Follow Your Doctor’s Guidelines

Watch out for any additional guidelines your doctor may
share leading into the procedure – it could be anything from avoiding certain meds or activities that could
interfere with the surgery.

Ask Questions About Inspire Sleep for Sleep Apnea

Any worries or questions about what to expect ahead? Talk
to your doctor or the Gwinnett Sleep medical team, and they will ensure you’re comfortable and clued in at all
times!

Follow-up Care

Proper care and maintenance are essential once you’ve gone
through Inspire Sleep
therapy. Here’s what to keep in mind about post-Inspire Sleep
procedure follow-up care:

Right After Surgery (A week after implantation)

Generally, this is when check-in is scheduled to assess the
incisions and how well you recover. Feel free to voice any queries or concerns with your physician during this
appointment.

Activation (A month after implantation)

Roughly one-month post-implantation, there will be an
office visit where they’ll switch on the device and confirm if it works properly. This stage is critical in your
treatment journey.

Analysis & Device Adjustment (Two months after implantation)

Approximately two months after your implantation procedure,
they’ll have you back at their sleep center for a new sleep study, along with additional device programming. In
this session, the device will be adjusted to ensure optimal handling of your sleep apnea symptoms while setting
an accommodating range of stimulation to fine-tune the device’s comfort level according to personal preference.
And remember – it is important to continue using the Inspire device every time you sleep.

Routine Check-Ins

Once initial post-surgery appointments are completed,
regular doctor visits must be part of your routine to keep tabs on things and make any necessary tweaks to the
device settings as required over time. These consultations matter because they help maintain the longevity of
successful therapy outcomes.

Conclusion

Inspire Sleep Therapy is a beacon of hope for those
battling moderate to severe sleep apnea, especially when sleep medicine or CPAP therapy does not provide
consistent results. While it’s still a significant procedure—Inspire works through surgery and regular
check-ins—the trade-off is noteworthy: better sleep quality, no daytime fatigue, and a reduced risk of stroke or
heart attack. If you’re up for embracing better sleeping habits with Inspire Sleep Therapy, don’t hesitate to
reach out to Gwinnett
Sleep—discover more about how Inspire Sleep helps you get that
peaceful sleep you’ve always yearned for.

FAQs

Exploding Head Syndrome While Awake

Whether you’ve been dealing with sleep disturbances for years or recently began experiencing troubling symptoms, the sleep disorder called exploding head syndrome (EHS) can be extremely frightening and disruptive. While the cause is still largely unknown, and little medical research has been conducted on it, current theories offer some insight into what may trigger EHS episodes – find out more here.

What is exploding head syndrome?

Exploding head syndrome was initially described in 1876; however, it was not officially classified as a sleep disorder until 2005. EHS is considered parasomnia, a disruptive type of sleep disorder in the same category as sleepwalking and sleep terrors. 

While it may sound like the title of a sci-fi movie, exploding head syndrome is an actual medical condition that causes loud noises in your head when falling asleep or waking up. These noises range from scary imaginary explosions to claps, bangs, roars, screeches, gunfire sounds, and more. Even if this phenomenon isn’t as widely discussed as other sleep conditions, such as narcolepsy or insomnia, many people suffer from it but don’t know its name. 

Experts say, “These events occur during the wake-sleep/sleep-wake transition period and generally last less than a second. Events are often accompanied by flashes of light and patient distress, but there is no significant associated pain.”

While it sounds painful, it’s good to understand that other than disturbing sleep and perhaps causing emotional distress, the jarring noises aren’t real and do not cause physical harm to the person experiencing them or anyone nearby. 

Thankfully, the prevalence of EHS is relatively low. About 10 percent of people may experience this at least once in their lifetime. However, some encounter the symptoms sporadically.

Symptoms of exploding head syndrome

While there aren’t many symptoms, the ones that occur can be frightening and confusing, especially when experiencing them for the first time. 

To become diagnosed with exploding head syndrome, someone must meet all of the following criteria, according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. 

  1. Complaints of loud noises or sensations that mimic the effects of an explosion in the head during transition periods between sleep and wakefulness.
  1. Feelings of intense arousal, and possibly fright, following these episodes.
  1. No significant physical pain during or following the episodes.

Others may encounter flashes of light and twitching muscles. Overall, the experience only lasts about one second, although people might feel like it was longer. Although there are hypothesized causes, there is no single known cause for this sleep disorder. 

Can exploding head syndrome occur while awake?

Simply put, no, exploding head syndrome does not occur while awake. Because these episodes happen during the transition between sleeping and waking, to many, it seems as if they experience EHS while awake. The symptoms of the sleep disorder are what rouse people to wake up, often startled and confused. 

Conclusion

If you’ve ever woken up to a loud noise that seems to be coming from inside your head, you may have experienced exploding head syndrome. Although it can be frightening, especially if you’ve never experienced it before, exploding head syndrome is not harmful. If you’re experiencing sleep problems or disorders, contact the caring team at Gwinnett Sleep to help. They will work with you to find a solution so you can get the restful night’s sleep you deserve.

How to Stop Exploding Head Syndrome ?

Do you experience loud explosions in your head just as you are fading off to sleep? Are these episodes accompanied by flashes of light and intense fear? If yes, then you may have exploding head syndrome (EHS). While researchers hypothesize why this strange sleep disorder occurs, there is no simple explanation as to why about 10% of the population experience it at one point in their lives. This unexplained phenomenon can be highly distressing for those affected. But the good news is that there are steps you can take to help stop EHS from occurring and get some much-needed restful sleep. 

How to know if you have exploding head syndrome

Exploding head syndrome is a type of sleep disorder that occurs suddenly, either when you are beginning to fall asleep or when you wake up in the middle of the night. This sleep disorder is characterized by hearing a loud noise or crashing sound in your head, which is not authentic or heard by anyone else. Along with the sound, EHS can also cause the patient to see flashes of light and experience muscle spasms. Unlike the name suggests, these episodes are not painful.

According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, the following criteria are symptoms someone must experience to be diagnosed with exploding head syndrome. 

  1. Complaints of loud noises or sensations that mimic the effects of an explosion in the head during transition periods between sleep and wakefulness.
  2. Feelings of intense arousal, and possibly fright, following these episodes.
  3. No significant physical pain during or following the episodes.

Fortunately, the entire episode only lasts one to two seconds, even though it can seem long to those who encounter them. 

If you think you may have exploding head syndrome, please seek a diagnosis with a licensed sleep specialist; do not simply assume this is what you are experiencing. Other medical conditions have these same symptoms. 

Available treatments for exploding head syndrome

As stated previously, a direct cause has not yet been connected to exploding head syndrome; however, there are a few theories researchers believe may be true, such as: 

  • A temporary increase in the activity of your brain’s sensory neurons
  • Damage or dysfunction in your inner ear structures
  • Abnormal attention processing in your brain during the sleep-wake transition
  • An aura that occurs before a migraine
  • Side effects from suddenly stopping selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 

While the FDA has officially approved nothing, some sleep specialists prescribe a few different medications known to treat the symptoms of EHS. These are topiramate, nifedipine, amitriptyline, and clomipramine, which are all used to treat other conditions. 

ConclusionAs an alternative or in addition to medication, people with EHS can do some things at home to help stop the disorder. Practice de-stressing techniques such as yoga, meditation, baths, or reading before bed. Keeping good sleep habits may also help reduce or stop the symptoms.

Ultimately, speaking to a sleep specialist before attempting any at-home remedy is wise. Be 100% sure EHS is what is going on and not something else more dire.  

Conclusion

Exploding head syndrome may not have one specific cause, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any possible treatments to try to stop it from happening. If you regularly experience EHS or have only had it a few times and are worried, the best option is to consult a sleep specialist who can help you create a treatment plan. At Gwinnett Sleep, our specialists are dedicated to helping our patients get the rest they need and deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you treat your sleep disorder.