Northwest Specialty Hospital offering sleep apnea procedure

POST FALLS — A treatment for sleep apnea called Inspire is now available at Northwest Specialty Hospital.

The FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment "works inside your body to treat the root cause of sleep apnea with just the click of a button," according to a press release.

“The Inspire device is a novel therapy for obstructive sleep apnea that can be significantly more comfortable and effective than traditional alternatives.,” said Dr. Brandy Tacia of Northwest Ear, Nose and Throat.

Twenty-two million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, the release said.

Many of those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea have experienced vehicular accidents, on-the-job injuries, mental health disorders, difficulty remembering, strokes and heart attacks, the release said.

"The Inspire system is implanted during a short, outpatient procedure that works inside the patient’s body," the release said. "Mild stimulation helps open a patient’s airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally throughout the body.

Inspire was evaluated during a five-year trial and has appeared in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, the release said.

“Inspire represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea," said Tim Herbert, president & CEO of Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.