Sleep Apnea and Snoring Clinic
Hypoglossal Nerve
Stimulation
In this scenario, hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a successful therapy. The device is a tiny, completely implanted system that restores muscular tone to your upper airway muscles.
While you sleep, the gadget detects your breathing patterns. When there is an obstruction, it sends moderate, rhythmic stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, which regulates the movement of your tongue and other critical airway muscles. Stimulating these muscles keeps the airway open when sleeping.
Three components of the system are implanted through a minimally invasive outpatient procedure:
- Neurostimulator
- A pressure sensing cable
- A lead for stimulation
After a few days, most people recover from the implantation operation and are unaware of the device. The system is operated by a portable remote that lets you to switch it on and off as well as configure it for a specific time period. Your physician can also remotely monitor and change it.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is best suited for those aged 21 and over who are not considerably overweight.
Dr. Baptista is one of the few doctors in the world with this level of expertise. He was the only surgeon in Spain who could execute this procedure.
How does Upper Airway Stimulation work?
The tongue can play a significant part in obstructive sleep apnea because as the muscles in the body relax during sleep, the tongue can slide back and restrict breathing in the throat. During a surgical operation, three components of the Upper Airway Stimulation system are inserted within the body. A pulse generator and two leads are put on top of the chest (pectoralis) muscle. When the system is activated while sleeping, the pulse generator emits a mild stimulation signal through a stimulation lead to shift the tongue forward and open the space in the neck for breathing.
How do I know if Upper Airway stimulation is right for me?
There are three steps to evaluating if you are a good candidate for Upper Airway Stimulation treatment. To begin, you must suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and be unable to tolerate positive airway pressure treatment. Second, you would meet with Dr. Baptista in his office to explore if it might be beneficial. The third and last phase is a brief assessment technique known as drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Dr. Baptista is a world authority in drug-induced sleep endoscopy and has published extensively on the issue.
Because implanted patients cannot have MRIs of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, or shoulders, if you know you may require these exams in the future, Upper Airway Stimulation is unlikely to be the best treatment for your obstructive sleep apnea.
Why should I come to see Dr.Baptista for Upper Airway Stimulation?
Dr. Baptista is the only surgeon in Dubai with experience in this field. This is based on Dr. Baptista’s extensive expertise with this procedure, his understanding of selecting excellent individuals, and the Al zahra Hospital’s commitment to getting the finest results.