Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that affects roughly 12 million adults in the United States alone. This condition causes one’s breathing to stop and start while asleep.

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Sleep apnea can cause patients to snore, feel tired even after a long night of sleep, and even stop breathing while asleep. Texas ENT Specialists can help patients across Houston diagnose and treat their sleep apnea.

Treatments Available at Texas ENT Specialists

Texas ENT Specialists has several sleep apnea treatment options available. They include:

CPAP machine - CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure”. This device is worn as you sleep to help treat sleep apnea. A CPAP machine helps patients breathe easier by increasing the air pressure in the throat, which prevents the airway from narrowing.
Sleep apnea surgery - There are several types of surgery available for those who require surgical treatment. The recommended type of surgery will depend on your specific needs and the type of sleep apnea you have.
Inspire - Inspire™ works inside your body while you’re asleep. It’s placed under the skin of the neck and chest during an outpatient procedure. After the procedure, Inspire is turned on and opens up your airway.
AirLift procedure - AirLift™ is a surgical procedure designed to help patients with sleep apnea open and stabilize upper airway obstruction. It is performed using an implant that is inserted beneath the chin and provides immediate results.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops and starts while one is asleep. This condition can be potentially serious, as it does cause patients to stop breathing momentarily. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax. When the muscles begin to relax, they can narrow or close your airway while you breathe in. This leads to difficulty breathing and can wake you up from sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the most common type of sleep apnea that occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax.

Central Sleep Apnea

This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain isn’t sending the correct signals to the muscles that are responsible for breathing. This is much less common than obstructive sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Loud snoring
Dry mouth after waking up
Feeling tired during the day
Difficulty breathing or gasping for air while asleep
Morning headache
High blood pressure

About Texas ENT Specialists

Texas ENT Specialists is one of Houston’s top-rated providers for ENT care. Our offices provide treatment for various conditions that affect the ear, nose, throat, voice, and more. We have 15 office locations across the Houston area to make your access to high-quality care as convenient as possible. At Texas ENT Specialists, we have set ourselves apart in the industry through:

Personalized Treatment

We personalize each of our treatments to meet your needs. We understand that you’re unique, and we believe your ENT care should be, too.

Top-Rated Physician Network

Each of our 15 Houston office locations is staffed with highly-trained providers who are fellowship-trained and independently board-certified.

Centers of Excellence

Our locations are equipped with the latest medical technology to help us deliver a seamless patient experience from the moment you contact us to the moment you say goodbye.

Continuity of Care

We work to ensure you gain long-term relief, never providing only short-term solutions for your pain or condition.

Sleep Apnea FAQ's

Who Does Sleep Apnea Affect?

Sleep apnea can affect a wide variety of patients. Some factors can put patients at greater risk for sleep apnea. This includes:

Excess weight
Age
Smoking
Family history of sleep apnea
Certain medical conditions such as heart failure
Parkinson’s disease

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep test that Texas ENT Specialists can perform.

Can sleep apnea affect children?

Children can have sleep apnea. If so, it is commonly due to enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids.