December 13th 2024.
Natalie Boller, a 63-year-old woman, is just one of the many people who struggle with a common yet frustrating condition - sleep apnoea. Every night, millions of individuals lay down to sleep, only to be jolted awake time and time again. They struggle to breathe and produce ear-piercing snores, putting them at a higher risk for various health issues such as heart disease, stroke, memory loss, and even Type 2 diabetes.
But now, there is a glimmer of hope for those who suffer from this debilitating condition. Thanks to pioneering scientists, a new treatment option has emerged - an implant that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the tongue muscles, to keep the airway open during sleep. This revolutionary device, controlled through a user-friendly app, offers a breath of fresh air for those with obstructive sleep apnoea, a common form of the condition where the throat walls relax and narrow or completely close.
So, what are the telltale signs of sleep apnoea? According to the NHS, some of the symptoms include excessively loud snoring, gasping or choking noises, frequent awakenings throughout the night, insomnia, waking up with a sore throat, morning headaches, mood swings, and daytime grogginess and forgetfulness. Shockingly, around one in eight Britons suffer from sleep apnoea, and experts believe that the actual number could be much higher, with up to 80% of undiagnosed cases.
Natalie Boller is one of the lucky few who have been fitted with the Genio Nyxoah implant, along with another patient, earlier this month. As a mother of six from East Sussex, she has been struggling with sleep apnoea for a decade, trying different treatments that ultimately failed. However, she remained hopeful when she learned about the surgery. After a three-hour procedure, the implant was delicately placed under the muscle, without damaging any nerves. Boller is pleased with the results and eagerly looks forward to having it activated.
One common treatment for sleep apnoea is the CPAP machine, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that supplies air to keep the airways open throughout the night. However, for many, this solution is uncomfortable and difficult to use. This was the case for Boller, who tried it for a year but found it impossible to get comfortable.
Thankfully, the Genio Nyxoah implant offers a less intrusive option. During the surgery, a 6cm incision is made below the chin, and surgeons use a microscope to identify the nerves that control tongue movement. An external chip attached to the chin stimulates the tongue while the patient sleeps, and the intensity can be easily adjusted through a smartphone app. The chip can be removed and charged during the day, making it a convenient and user-friendly solution. Boller is now looking forward to resuming activities she loves, such as hiking, cycling, and spending time with her grandchildren, which she was unable to do due to constant fatigue.
The Genio Nyxoah implant is one of two nerve stimulators offered by the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The other is called Inspire, and it has been successfully implanted in 22 individuals so far. According to consultant ENT and sleep surgeon Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, this device is like a "pacemaker for the tongue." He is optimistic about the future of this technology and hopes to make it more widely available for eligible patients.
Unlike the Genio Nyxoah implant, the Inspire is placed in the chest, with a lead connecting it to one side of the nerve. A remote control is used to adjust the intensity. Olivia Rushton, a 48-year-old woman from Northamptonshire, underwent the surgery in June and saw a significant improvement in her breathing. Her breath used to pause for 10 seconds, approximately 65 times an hour, but since the treatment, it has decreased to about 25 times an hour. She is excited about the progress and is looking forward to a follow-up sleep study next year.
Cheong believes that these implant gadgets are real game-changers for those with moderate to severe sleep apnoea, a body mass index below 35, and have tried using a CPAP. With this innovative technology, patients like Boller and Rushton can finally get a good night's sleep, leading to an improved quality of life.
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