Life-Changing Treatment Ends Sleepless Nights

A novel hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) device is offering a life-changing solution for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Catherine Turnbull, a patient from Chippenham, shared her experience after being among the first in the UK to receive this innovative treatment at Great Western Hospital (GWH). GWH is one of five hospital trusts now offering the procedure, which involves implanting a small generator in the chest.

The HGNS device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, causing the tongue to move forward during sleep. This action effectively opens the airway, preventing the blockages characteristic of sleep apnea. Patients control the device using a remote, turning it on each night. Turnbull reported that the treatment has eliminated her nighttime awakenings and associated headaches, enabling her to finally enjoy restful sleep and reclaim her life.

For patients who cannot tolerate the traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, HGNS presents a significant advancement. Turnbull described her previous struggles with CPAP, finding it suffocating and impossible to wear. The new treatment, already established in Europe and the United States with approximately 125,000 global surgeries performed, is now available under strict criteria for extreme cases in Wiltshire.

Sleep apnea, characterized by symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping, fatigue, and concentration difficulties, can severely impact daily life, work, and relationships. Nurses emphasize that the condition can go undiagnosed for years, especially in women, with symptoms often misattributed to other causes. This new treatment marks a hopeful step forward for many.