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    Mrs. Sabrina-Janin Parker 
    (Inspire specialist)

    Your contact to Inspire: Burcu Avci

    Mrs. Sabrina-Janin Parker 
    (Inspire specialist)

    Contact me without obligation and free
    of charge by phone.
    (mo - fr: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

    Call now

    +44 800 06 68 698Or request a callback

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Meet Olympian and Inspire user Jürgen Hingsen

Fotografie von Inspire Nutzer Jürgen Hingsen, der im Stuhl sitzt und stolz seine Olympiamedaille in der Hand hält.

Milestones as a professional athlete:

  • Silver medal in the decathlon at the 1984 Summer Olympics
  • Olympian at the 1988 Summer Olympics
  • World record holder in the decathlon 1982, 1983, 1984
  • German record holder in the decathlon 1984 to 2023

Television appearances:

  • Leading role in the comedy Drei und eine halbe Portion (1984)
  • Sports presenter in the ZDF-Fernsehgarten (1989)
  • Fifth place in the RTL dance show “Let’s Dance” (2006)

How old is Jürgen Hingsen?  67 years old

What does Jürgen Hingsen do today? An expert in occupational health management

What is Jürgen Hingsen’s marital status? Married to Francesca, father of two daughters, and grandfather.  

An unexpected diagnosis: OSA

“In professional sport, a good night’s sleep is essential. I hadn’t been able to have that for a long time”.

Foto von Inspire Nutzer und Olympionike Jürgen Hingsen, der sich auf dem Sofa Gedanken über die Behandlung seiner Schlafapnoe macht.

For Jürgen, sport wasn’t just a full-time job, but also a way of life in which good sleep played a key role. As a professional decathlete, he knew how important adequate rest and sleep quality were for his performance.

For a long time, snoring was a normal thing for him. Ever since his career as an athlete, he was aware that he snored at night. Then in his mid-40s, he began to experience further symptoms: daytime sleepiness, headaches, concentration problems at work and weight gain – despite getting enough exercise and eating a balanced diet.

In 2011, he was examined in a sleep laboratory for the first time and was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This diagnosis also explained his persistent tiredness and exhaustion.

Challenges with CPAP therapy

“I didn't feel comfortable using a CPAP mask”

Since untreated obstructive sleep apnoea can sometimes lead to secondary diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Jürgen commenced CPAP therapy.1 However, he experienced problems such asa feeling of constriction and a dry mouth. In addition, the mask was constantly slipping – both because of his 6feet and 6 inches tall and because of his movements while sleeping.

Over time, his obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) worsened, and Jürgen continued to experience discomfort with his CPAP mask, which further affected his quality of life. It became essential to find a solution.

The path to Inspire therapy

“We have to find a way to solve this problem”

Jürgen finally found out about the innovative treatment using Inspire upper airway stimulation via a TV commercial: “To me, the treatment method seemed logical”. He contacted the Medical Support Team, who organised a specialist consultation for him. There, further examinations were arranged to determine whether Jürgen was a suitable candidate for Inspire therapy.

“The results of my examination suggested that upper airway stimulation could have a high probability of success in my case”.

After extensive medical consultations and after considering the risks, Jürgen opted for Inspire therapy. In January 2024, the operation to implant the Inspire device was performed in Munich. His health insurance covered the costs of the treatment. After the procedure, the wound took about six weeks to heal.

Fotografie von Inspire Nutzer Jürgen Hingsen, der mit seinem Laptop auf dem Sofa sitzt und die Inspire Therapie mit dem Zungenschrittmacher recherchiert.
Therapy adjustment & results

“I was very excited to see the outcome”

Foto von Inspire Nutzer Jürgen Hingsen, der zufrieden die Fernbedienung des Zungenschrittmachers in der Hand hält und mit der anderen Hand den Daumen hoch zeigt.

Inspire therapy was then activated and instructions were provided on how to usethe remote control. In the following weeks, the stimulation was adjusted to suit him.

“I find it easy to use”, says Jürgen. “At the push of a button, Inspire therapy can be activated before going to bed and switched off again after getting up”.2

At first, he had to get used to the tingling in his tongue.2 Overall, Jürgen is managing well with Inspire therapy these days, and the therapy is already showing signs of success. His night time breathing interruptions and snoring have significantly decreased.

The most important leap of my life. Inspire for obstructive sleep apnoea.*

Thanks to Inspire therapy, Jürgen’s  sleep quality has improved, which benefits him both privately and professionally. He feels significantly fitter and his daytime sleepiness and ability to concentrate have improved considerably. Improved sleep quality has given Jürgen more energy for sporting activities and a more active lifestyle, which has already helped him lose eight kilos. “Inspire therapy helps me wake up more refreshed. It feels like a second wind for my energy levels, and I would highly recommend Inspire therapy for OSA sufferers who have problems using the CPAP mask”, Jürgen says, summing up his experience.

The above patient testimonials regarding sleep apnoea treatment refer to individual treatment results. The statements are genuine, representative and documented. Responses to therapy may vary and is not always the same. Patients received reimbursement for travel expenses and an allowance for time spent in connection with their testimonials.

 

* Inspire therapy is suitable for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. For patients with a confirmed medical problem with CPAP, such as a CPAP mask intolerance, Inspire therapy may be an effective treatment. For this reason, patient testimonials are only given from those patients for whom treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (e.g. with a CPAP mask) has failed. The product category (C)PAP mask is not called into question. Individual treatment outcomes may vary. For important information about Inspire therapy and its implementation, risks and safety, visit www.inspiresleep.de/wichtige-sicherheitshinweise. Our telephone advice does not replace a medical consultation.

For better readability, the generic masculine is generally used in the text. This wording equally covers all persons and is not intended to discriminate.

References

1 Deutscher Berufsverband der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenärzte e.V. Available online at: www.hno-aerzte-im-netz.de/krankheiten/schnarchen-schlafapnoe/definition-und-haeufigkeit.html; Last accessed: March 2024.
2 Strollo PJ Jr, Soose RJ, Maurer JT et al. Upper-Airway Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(2):139–149.​​​​​​​
3 AWMF online. S3 Leitlinie Nicht erholsamer Schlaf/Schlafstörung Kapitel „Schlafbezogene Atmungsstörungen bei Erwachsenen“, [S3 guidelines for non-restorative sleep/sleep disorders, chapter “Sleep-related breathing disorders in adults”] Available online at: https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/063-001l_S3_SBAS_2023-01_verlaengert_und_Hinweis_Teil-Aktualisierung.pdf; last accessed: September 2024​​​​​​​
4 Fietze, I., Ficker, Heiser, C. et al. Wenn CPAP nicht genutzt oder nicht vertragen wird – Vorschlag für eine standardisierte Terminologie [If CPAP cannot be used or tolerated – suggestions for standardised terminology.] Somnologie 2020;24:102–105.