Tired of wearing a mask? New option for sleep apnea sufferers

There's no doubt we need better treatments for sleep apnea. This implant is kind of like a pacemaker. It's only for one type of sleep apnea but the goal is the same-to make sure you keep breathing and keep sleeping.

Patients with sleep apnea stop breathing throughout the night. The most common solution is CPAP, a continuous positive airway pressure mask, but most people hate using it. Now researchers are testing a new device called the "remedy pulse generator." It's placed under the skin and a wire stimulates the nerve that controls your breathing muscles.

Dr. Reena Mehra of the Cleveland Clinic is a part of a team of researchers testing the device. She explained how it works: "The setting is sort of tailored according to the individuals and can initiate these breaths when needed."

Mehra continued, "Preliminary data that have been published have shown there's a lot of promise with this device."

That data was just presented at an international medical conference. It shows that among the 46 patients--after one year, not only was there a reduction in the severity of sleep apnea, but they also had better blood oxygen levels, and better overall sleep.

"Likely improving sleep continuity and minimizing these episodes of stopping breathing due to central apneas," said Mehra.

When you think of sleep apnea--most people think of snoring, this is when the airway closes causing you to stop breathing.

This new implant is only for central sleep apnea-- where the brain stops sending the signals that control breathing (it often happens to people with heart failure and doubles the risk of death). It's too soon to say if this device works better than that dreaded mask but the next step is to test it further and see if the benefits outweigh the risks

They are testing it further at 34 sites nationwide. For more information visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01816776?term=respicardia&rank=2&show_locs=Y#locn

The information is also available on my twitter page @DrSapnaABC7