Sleep Apnea Solutions

A woman sits on the side of her bed contemplating her restless night's sleep

Tired of struggling with poor sleep, loud snoring, or waking up gasping for air? At Joplin ENT, we offer comprehensive sleep apnea evaluation and a full range of treatment options — including advanced surgical solutions — tailored to your needs.

How It Works

After a screening process (including a sleep study and airway evaluation under anesthesia), we determine if Inspire is right for you. If you are a candidate based on the airway evaluation, we would proceed with the implant. During the surgery, a small device is implanted in your chest, with a lead connected to the nerve that controls your tongue. Each night, you turn the device on with a remote — no mask, no hose.

Step 1: Thorough Personalized Evaluation

We begin with a detailed consultation, exam, and often a sleep study to understand the cause and severity of your sleep apnea. We look at your breathing patterns, anatomy, and how your airway behaves. A camera can be used to evaluate your entire upper airway to gauge what is causing your sleep apnea. In some cases, we can perform an exam under anesthesia to see the cause of your sleep apnea to ensure the right area of the airway is being treated.

alt="Doctor preparing patient in bed for polysomnography (sleep study)"
A nurse is writing on a clipboard during a patient consultation, representing healthcare communication, professionalism, and patient care.

Step 2: Personalized Treatment Plan

If CPAP hasn’t worked for you, don’t worry — you have options. We’ll guide you through alternatives that fit your lifestyle and anatomy.
Options We Offer:

  • Inspire® Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator: A small device implanted under the skin that gently activates the tongue muscle to keep your airway open at night. No mask, no tubing — just natural breathing while you sleep.
  • Septoplasty & Turbinate Reduction: Fixes a deviated septum and clears nasal obstruction so you can breathe better through your nose. This can help with tolerating CPAP therapy better.
  • UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) or Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty: These procedures open the back of the throat to reduce airway blockage from the soft palate and tonsils.
  • Tongue Base Reduction/Lingual Tonsillectomy: Minimally invasive techniques to shrink or reposition bulky tongue tissue that blocks your airway.
  • Nasal Valve & Vivaer® Treatment: In-office or surgical procedures to support or reshape the narrowest part of your nose for easier airflow.
  • Dental Appliance: We work with sleep dentists to have mandibular advancement devices that can help open up your airway while you are asleep.

Additional Sleep Apnea Treatments

In addition to CPAP, oral appliances, and surgical options, Joplin ENT offers Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation for select patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Inspire is an FDA‑approved device implanted under the skin that works with your natural breathing. It delivers gentle stimulation to the airway muscles during sleep, keeping the airway open without a mask or hose.

This therapy is especially helpful for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. Inspire is controlled with a small handheld remote, making it convenient and discreet. By offering Inspire alongside traditional therapies, Joplin ENT provides a full spectrum of sleep apnea care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study (polysomnography). This test monitors breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns overnight to determine if pauses in breathing or airway obstruction are occurring. In some cases, a home sleep study may be appropriate. At Joplin ENT, we coordinate testing and interpret results to guide the best treatment plan.

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s needs. Options include:

  • Lifestyle changes such as weight management, positional therapy, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives before bed.
  • CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A device that delivers gentle air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep.
  • Oral appliances: Custom devices that reposition the jaw or tongue to improve airflow.
  • Surgical options: Procedures to remove or reduce airway obstruction, such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or advanced airway surgery.
  • ENT‑directed care: At Joplin ENT, we evaluate airway anatomy and provide surgical and non‑surgical solutions tailored to each patient.

Yes. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common cause of sleep apnea in children. Symptoms may include snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, daytime irritability, or learning difficulties. Early evaluation and treatment are important to prevent long‑term complications.

Inspire® is an implantable device that treats obstructive sleep apnea by gently stimulating the airway muscles during sleep. It helps keep the airway open without the need for a mask or hose. Patients turn the device on and off with a small remote, making it simple and convenient. Inspire is an option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.

Dr. Walker of Joplin ENT performing a mouth/throat examination

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