Rest Assured…

Sleep is a cornerstone of health and well-being and plays a vital role in the overall quality of our lives. However, many people do not get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression. By making sleep health a priority, you protect your health now and well into the future. In this feature, we will explore sleep disorders, sleep studies, and the latest treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Do you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s rest? Common sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea can turn peaceful dreams into total nightmares. Our otolaryngologists, Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Hennessee can help diagnose these conditions to help restore your sleep patterns and get you back on track. One of the first steps our physicians recommend to uncover answers to sleep-related conditions is undergoing a sleep study. A sleep study is a diagnostic test that monitors and records several of your body systems while you sleep. Something as simple as snoring can be a symptom of a more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Guadalupe Regional Medical Center launched a comprehensive sleep study program in July to help our patients find answers to sleep-related conditions.

Separate Quote: “If someone’s telling you, a partner, a friend, a family member, gosh you really snore a lot at night, if you are snoring loud and people are commenting, or if you have any other diabetes, high blood pressure, or anything else like that you really should be screened for sleep apnea. There’s very easy home sleep studies that can be done that aren’t real cumbersome and are cost effective.” – Jennifer Hennessee, MD

One of the newest innovations offered in our ENT offices is Inspire therapy. This small device treats obstructive sleep apnea to improve sleep and comfort throughout the night. Its design eliminates the need for large compressors, tubing and masks found in many of the CPAP and biPAP machines used today. Dr. Hennessee describes the ideal candidate as “someone with moderate to severe sleep apnea who have tried and not been successful tolerating or wearing a CPAP. This is not as effective as a CPAP but if you aren’t treating your sleep apnea at all it’s a great alternative.” Before coming in for a consultation, Dr. Goodwin wants his patients to “make sure you hit the criteria, make sure you have the appropriate sleep apnea numbers and weight. It’s not for everybody. It’s a good treatment for the right patient but it’s not a cure all.” In order to qualify for this treatment, you must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 36 or lower and had a sleep study performed within 2 years. If you meet all the requirements a consultation to discuss the procedure would be the next step.

Separate Quote: “It’s an outpatient procedure but it’s a process though, there’s strict guidelines on who’s qualified for it and there’s a process for when your sleep study needs to be done, and you have to do a separate sleep endoscopy, and then you do the implant. The implant surgery itself is an in and out same day surgery.” – Jason Goodwin, MD

Inspire therapy is a game changer for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, offering a non-invasive and effective solution to improve sleep quality and overall health. Our ENT group participates in community outreach, webinars, and other initiatives for the general public to learn more about Inspire. They also speak to area primary care providers to inform them that they don’t have to send patients to Austin or San Antonio, they are available in the middle to offer cutting edge treatments to our community. Inspire therapy is a promising treatment option for those struggling nightly with sleep apnea.

Understanding the benefits of good sleep, common sleeping disorders, and the treatments can help you make informed decisions about your sleep health and take proactive steps to improve your quality of life.

Take the quiz to see if you qualify!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Inspire Sleep