Research examines pacemaker-like device as new treatment for obstructive sleep apnea

Jan. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- CALABASAS - If you have a hard time using a CPAP machine to treat your obstructive sleep apnea, there may be another solution.

A recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that a new surgical implant device reduces the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea by nearly 70 percent.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the new device opens the airway in the throat by electrically stimulating a nerve at the base of the tongue.

Until now, the most effective form of treatment has been the Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) sleep machine, which delivers air pressure through a face mask while you sleep.

The air pressure helps keep your upper airway passages open, preventing snoring and apnea, a disorder in which people stop breathing during sleep.

But studies have shown that about 30 percent or more than one half of patients refuse to use the CPAP because it’s simply too cumbersome.

But if left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

A doctor who was involved with the study said the new implants will only work for “a subset of patients, not for all patients.”

The new study looked at 126 sleep apnea patients who disliked using the CPAP and had the new device surgically implanted. They were followed for 12 months and the results showed that the number of times they stopped breathing during sleep was reduced by 68 percent.

Experts say this device has the promise to offer another sleep apnea treatment besides the CPAP.

“This sounds like an innovative idea to me,” said Dr. Greg Rubin, of the Calabasas Dental Institute.

“There’s certainly a place for this type of advanced device, but I think more research is needed.”

Dr. Greg Rubin, a dentist and sleep apnea expert, said this new surgical implant may offer an alternative for some people, but for others, surgery and the CPAP may not be an option.

So he suggests trying an oral device. He has been successful in treating many patients with sleep apnea by using oral dental appliances.

There are nearly 200 different oral devices that can be used to treat Obstructive sleep apnea and studies suggest that 2/3 of sleep apnea cases can be treated with dental devices, which help increase the airwaves in the throat by repositioning the lower jaw.

Dr. Greg Rubin has developed and operates a consumer hotline — (310)-I-SNORE-2® or (310) 476-6732 — that will take patients through all the steps from a free evaluation to diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Greg Rubin and his team of dental experts and specialists will help patients find the oral device that will fit their needs. They will also fabricate, fit the device and make any necessary adjustments at his office located in Calabasas, Calif.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 18 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea.

The Calabasas Dental Institute is located at 4764 Park Granada #107, Calabasas, CA 91302; (818) 224-2420.

Using the latest in high-tech digital technology, Dr. Greg Rubin and his team of dental experts and specialists provide first rate personalized service in all aspects of cutting edge general and cosmetic dentistry. A sleep apnea treatment center, which offers the most advanced oral treatments on the market, is also conveniently located on the premises. Dr. Greg Rubin has pioneered some of the leading technologies in the treatment of bad breath and operates a one-stop bad breath treatment facility at the Calabasas location. For his innovation, he has been recognized nationally as a leading expert in bad breath treatment by HealthTap.com, which ranked him #1 among other health experts in the field. For more information, please visit CalabasasDentalInstitute.com.