Tongue Nerve Stimulator Offers New Hope for Sleep Apnoea Patients in UK
UK Sleep Apnea Patients Find Relief with Tongue-Stimulating Implant
London, England - A groundbreaking new treatment for sleep apnea is offering hope to millions of sufferers in the UK. University College London Hospitals NHS foundation trust (UCLH) has become the first center in the country to offer patients a choice of nerve stimulators, including the innovative Genio implant.
This small, app-controlled device sends gentle electrical impulses to the tongue, preventing the airway from collapsing during sleep. Natalie Boller, 63, one of the first patients to receive the Genio implant, is already experiencing positive results.
“I’m feeling much better just days after the procedure,” Boller shared. “I’m looking forward to being more active again, something my tiredness has prevented me from doing.”
Sleep apnea, a condition affecting an estimated 8 million people in the UK, causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. This can lead to loud snoring, choking noises, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the throat muscles relax and narrow the airway. Traditional treatment often involves continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which deliver pressurized air through a mask worn during sleep. While effective, many patients find CPAP machines uncomfortable.
The Genio implant offers a welcome alternative. Surgeons implant the device under the chin, using a minimally invasive procedure. An external chip,worn on the chin with an adhesive patch,controls the stimulation and can be recharged during the day. Patients can even adjust the stimulation level and monitor their sleep patterns through a smartphone app.
Consultant ENT and sleep surgeon Ryan Chin Taw Cheong expressed optimism about the future of this technology. ”I’m very optimistic about the way things are moving, and I’m hoping that we will be able to make this technology and make this implant more available for the right patients,” he said.
To be eligible for the Genio implant, patients must have moderate to severe sleep apnea, a body mass index below 35, and have tried using a CPAP machine.
UCLH’s commitment to offering cutting-edge treatments like the Genio implant is providing new hope for sleep apnea sufferers across the UK.
Tongue Implant Offers Hope for UK Sleep apnea Sufferers
London,England – A revolutionary new treatment for sleep apnea is bringing relief to millions in the UK. University College London Hospitals NHS foundation trust (UCLH) has become the first center in the contry to offer patients a selection of nerve stimulators, including the innovative Genio implant. This small, app-controlled device sends gentle electrical impulses to the tongue, preventing the airway from collapsing during sleep.
Natalie Boller, 63, one of the first patients to receive the Genio implant, is already experiencing positive results. “I’m feeling much better just days after the procedure,” Boller shared. “I’m looking forward to being more active again, something my tiredness has prevented me from doing.”
sleep apnea,a condition impacting an estimated 8 million people in the UK,causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep,leading to loud snoring,choking noises,and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Traditional treatment for the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, often involves continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. while effective, many patients find CPAP machines uncomfortable.
The Genio implant offers a welcome alternative. Surgeons implant the device under the chin using a minimally invasive procedure.An external chip, worn on the chin with an adhesive patch, controls the stimulation and can be recharged during the day. Patients can even adjust the stimulation level and monitor their sleep patterns through a smartphone app.
Consultant ENT and sleep surgeon Ryan Chin Taw Cheong is optimistic about the future of this technology. ”I’m very optimistic about the way things are moving, and I’m hoping that we will be able to make this technology and make this implant more available for the right patients,” he said.
To be eligible for the Genio implant, patients must have moderate to severe sleep apnea, a body mass index below 35, and have tried using a CPAP machine.
UCLH’s commitment to offering cutting-edge treatments like the Genio implant is providing new hope for sleep apnea sufferers across the UK.