Houston Physicians’ Hospital Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is when a person is sleeping and his or her breathing starts and stops suddenly and repeatedly. The people who suffer from sleep apnea snore loudly and complain of being tired—even when they’ve slept throughout the night. While not serious at first, it can worsen over time if left untreated.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is when the throat muscles relax—it’s the most common type.
• Central sleep apnea is when the brain doesn’t communicate properly with the muscles that affect your breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome (or treatment-emergent central sleep apnea) is when someone suffers from central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea at the same time.

Risk factors include excess weight, age (typically 60s and 70s), narrowing airway, nasal congestion, asthma, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, sex (men are more likely to have it), and family history of sleep apnea. They also include a history of stroke, AFib and heart attack.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If you are struggling to get rest, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with this disorder experience short-duration breathing interruptions during sleep. Breathing stops due to blockages in the upper airways.

If you experience the following symptoms, you may be suffering from undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea:

• Periods of quiet sleep interrupted by snoring
• Morning headaches
• Drowsiness or extreme fatigue during the day
• Emotional irritability, depression, or cognitive difficulty

Relief Is Close By

At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we provide in-house specialty treatment alternatives for obstructive sleep apnea. Our physicians provide the latest technological innovations for patients suffering from this condition.
Our doctors are trained in the Inspire apnea treatment program. Whether you need traditional CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treatment or can benefit from the latest Inspire innovations in apnea medical technology, Houston Physicians’ Hospital provides relief from this condition.

Inspire Versus CPAP Treatment

Traditional CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea requires cumbersome equipment, resulting in low patient compliance. With Inspire technology, our physicians can treat symptoms using a small and easily operated patient device.
Inspire apnea treatment involves the following process:

1. Patient receives outpatient surgical Inspire placement.
2. Patient turns a small hand-sized unit on, nightly.
3. Stimulation of the patient’s hypoglossal nerve maintains a continuous open airway.

Inspire’s innovative technology has been extensively tested and FDA approved. More than 150 peer-reviewed publications describe Inspire’s significant reductions in sleep interruption and improved quality of life.

A Less Invasive and Effective Approach

Houston Physicians’ Hospital understands that anything interfering with your sleep affects your quality of life. We can provide the relief you need, so you can benefit from high-quality rest every night. Our highly trained apnea specialists will evaluate the severity of your sleep disturbances, assess any concurrent medical issues, and carefully explain the appropriate treatment alternatives.

Your ability to rest affects your overall well-being and other important aspects of your life, such as your work performance and interpersonal relationships. If you are experiencing sleep disruption or excessive snoring, reach out to our physicians today to stabilize your sleep through our medical treatment advances. Call 832-632-5441 to make an appointment.