Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Snoring occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collides and is a sign of airway obstruction. Airway obstruction occurring repeatedly throughout the night is hard on the body and may lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) typically report restless sleep and not feeling rested despite getting 7 or more hours of sleep. Studies have shown that patients with OSA have more difficulty concentrating and are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.

The most common risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are obesity and older age. Using sedatives and drinking alcohol also increases the risk for OSA. Patients who sleep primarily on their back are more likely to snore and stop breathing.

Anatomically, the tongue falling back into the throat during sleep is the most common area of airway obstruction. Still, enlarged tonsils and nasal blockage can also contribute to the narrowing of the airway.

Dr. Bowden is one the few ENT specialists in Houston who is board-certified in both Otolaryngology and Sleep Medicine. She is adept at identifying when testing is necessary and working with her patients to find the most practical treatment plan.

Sleep Testing & Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with a thorough history and examination of the patient’s upper airway. If necessary, further evaluation with a sleep study can be performed, usually in the comfort of the patient’s home. At BreatheMD, we use the WatchPAT device for home testing. The device is a one-time disposable unit that measures heart rate, oxygen saturation, breathing events, body position, and sleep stages.

If you live outside of Houston, we can mail you a WatchPAT device and the results can be discussed with Dr. Bowden via telemedicine.

Treatment

CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea. We provide CPAP machines, tubing, and masks at below-market prices (our CPAP machines start at $1,350.00) to make them more accessible to our patients.

Unfortunately, many people with sleep apnea have difficulty using CPAP due to factors such as nasal congestion, claustrophobia, and mask discomfort. At BreatheMD, we provide a variety of mask options, educate patients on proper mask fitting, treat nasal congestion if necessary, and coach patients while they learn how to use their CPAP machine.

Since excess weight is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea, we provide services at our Sleep & Wellness clinic to help our patients with sustainable weight loss, including Precision Nutrition, Wellness Classes, EmSculpt, and Infrared Sauna.

Non-invasive airway modification is the next step if the above measures fail. To address the issue of the tongue collapsing into the throat during sleep, a new device called ExciteOSA uses topical energy to strengthen the tongue muscles. Patients place the device on their tongue for 20 minutes a day for 6 weeks, over time increasing the resting tone of the tongue muscles.

Oral appliances that bring the lower jaw forward are another option. These can be very effective but can cause inflammation of the TMJs. We do not provide oral appliances but can refer you to a dentist who can.

Occasionally surgery can be helpful; Dr. Bowden is one of the few specialists in Houston who is trained in multiple modalities of surgical airway treatment.