April – 2024 John Park, MD, an Ear Nose and Throat surgeon offers a mask-free obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
OSA affects 22 million Americans. When left untreated, OSA can cause vehicle and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, stroke, heart attack, and even death. It occurs when the airway collapses during sleep and blocks the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath, and then falls back asleep. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep.
This mask-free therapy involves an implant, which works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn the device on before bed and off when they wake up.
“In our practice, we see many patients who have stopped using or are unable to tolerate CPAP,” said Park. “This innovative, mask-free approach represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence. We are excited to offer this promising therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”
Please call 314-523-5300 for an appointment with Dr. Park.