Health Watch: FDA Approves New Treatment For Sleep Apnea

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for sleep apnea.

Millions of Americans suffer from the sleeping disease and the new treatment would help those who are unable to use the traditional mask treatment.

Patients with the condition have their upper airway closed during sleep which causes dangerous pauses in breathing.

Some use a mask that blows constant pressure to keep the airway from closing, but some find it noisy and uncomfortable.

Now, the Medical College of Wisconsin is testing a new device called Inspire.

It's a pacemaker-like generator that's placed in the chest along with two wires.

When activated, the system senses breathing patterns.

Nerves are stimulated and the airway is held open during sleep.

Patients use a remote to turn the system on and off when they wake up.

In:
• Food and Drug Administration