--- title: Sleep Better, Live Better Blog | Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH description: Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH is a Professor in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is an international leader in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea surgery and one of the relatively few surgeons in the world with a clinical and research focus in this area. Dr. Kezirian is President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the world’s preeminent organization in the field. Dr. Kezirian’s research has addressed the most important questions in sleep surgery, and he utilizes a wide array of procedures and the latest research, including his own, to provide his patients with the most appropriate, effective treatment plan. More information is available at www.sleep-doctor.com. --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH is a Professor in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is an international leader in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea surgery and one of the relatively few surgeons in the world with a clinical and research focus in this area. Dr. Kezirian is President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the world’s preeminent organization in the field. Dr. Kezirian’s research has addressed the most important questions in sleep surgery, and he utilizes a wide array of procedures and the latest research, including his own, to provide his patients with the most appropriate, effective treatment plan. More information is available at www.sleep-doctor.com. ### Recent Posts ## [Answers to Your Questions About Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy [Guest Post by Dr. Eric Kezirian]](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/questions-about-inspire-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy) Posted by [Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/eric-j-kezirian-md-mph) Jul 14, 2016 7:00:00 AM [![](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/Inspire_Normal_Breathing_with_Inspire-original.jpg) ](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/questions-about-inspire-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy) ***In this guest post, [Dr. Eric Kezirian](http://ww.sleep-doctor.com) answers your questions about upper airway stimulation therapy with the Inspire device. *** [Positive airway pressure therapy](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/pap-therapy) (whether CPAP, BPAP, APAP, or another form) is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (see the image of an obstructed airway to the right).  However, some patients cannot tolerate or sleep comfortably while wearing it.  If you are having trouble with positive airway pressure therapy or if it is not helping you, you may want to consider alternative treatment options, including surgery. [Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation](http://www.sleep-doctor.com/surgical-treatment-overview/upper-airway-stimulation/) is an exciting new treatment that was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who do not tolerate or do not benefit from positive airway pressure therapy.  I was the first surgeon in the Western United States to offer Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation and have many years of experience with this approach to treating sleep apnea.  The Upper Airway Stimulation system works somewhat like a pacemaker for the tongue.  There is a main unit (called a pulse generator) that sends a signal to the nerve controlling tongue movement ([hypoglossal nerve](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/what-is-hypoglossal-nerve-stimulation-therapy-for-sleep-apnea)) through a stimulation lead as well as a sensing lead that allows the system to send that signal only when the patient is breathing in and not through the entire night.  Upper Airway Stimulation is different from other treatments for sleep apnea in many ways, including the fact that it combines surgery and non-surgical treatment.  Here are answers to some of the questions I receive about it.   [Read More](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/questions-about-inspire-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy) Topics: [CPAP Alternatives](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) [All posts](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/all) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Sleep%20Better%2C%20Live%20Better%20Blog%20%7C%20Eric%20J.%20Kezirian%2C%20MD%2C%20MPH) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fauthor%2Feric-j-kezirian-md-mph%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.