New Plaster Could Be The Solution For Snorers
A new high-tech plaster could provide a solution for snorers; the sticky plaster-like device is worn under the chin and researchers claim that it could banish disturbed nights for good.
According to research, snoring affects around 3 million Brits, but a good night’s sleep could be just around the corner, thanks to new and innovative anti-snoring device, which has been developed in Belgium.
The plaster is worn under the chin during the night; it contains a transmitter , which sends a signal to a minute implant, which is located underneath the tongue. The signals stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which is responsible for controlling the movement of the muscles in the throat; when the nerve is stimulated, the muscles contract and the tongue moves forward, which causes the airways to open.
Prior to the launch of this new plaster product, stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve involved a 3 hour operation to fit the implant and wire it a generator located in the chest. Now, it takes just 15 minuets to implant the device under local anaesthetic.
Patients wear a new plaster every night, but the implant is expected to last for around 12 years, according to the manufacturer, Nyxoah of Belgium.
Professor Jim Horne, from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre, said that it was not yet clear whether this treatment would benefit everyone, as the majority of cases of sleep apnoea are related to obesity. He added that it would be interesting to see if the treatment would benefit obese adults and children.
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