Sleep Apnea Specialist
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Joshua James, MD
Board-Certified ENT Specialist located in McKinney, TX & Frisco, TX
To help you break free from the inconvenience of a CPAP machine, board-certified ENT specialist Joshua C. James, MD, offers the innovative Inspire sleep apnea device at his office in Frisco and McKinney, Texas. The Inspire implant monitors your breathing and effortlessly prevents obstructions in your airways that lead to loud snoring and potential long-term health risks. To find out if you’re a candidate for sleep apnea treatment with the Inspire implant, schedule a diagnostic evaluation online or by calling the office of Joshua C. James, MD, today.
Sleep Apnea Q & A
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that describes abnormal breathing patterns while you’re asleep. The three types of sleep apnea that can affect both adults and children include:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea develops when the muscles in your throat relax too much that they physically obstruct your airways. Airway obstructions can also result from sinus-related conditions, like chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.
Central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea is a condition that occurs due to dysfunction in the part of the brain that controls respiration. This dysfunction can result in slower, shallow breathing during sleep.
Mixed sleep apnea
Mixed sleep apnea describes breathing issues that result from a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
Because the symptoms of sleep apnea occur while you sleep, you may not be aware you have the condition. Often, it’s a family member or loved one’s complaints about loud snoring or gasping for breath throughout the night that leads you to a diagnostic evaluation for sleep apnea.
Other symptoms of sleep apnea you may experience include:
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
When you’re not getting enough quality of sleep, you may also experience difficulty with your concentration and focus.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause long-term health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and premature death.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Traditionally, treatment for sleep apnea involves the use of dental appliances or a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. However, these approaches aren’t always options for those with sleep apnea because of convenience or underlying medical issues.
Dr. James offers an alternative therapy to treat your sleep apnea and allow you to get rid of your CPAP machine. He uses the Inspire sleep apnea implant to prevent airway obstruction while you sleep.
The Inspire implant works by continually monitoring your breathing. Dr. James implants two flexible leads under the skin in your chest. The leads attach to a small stimulator and your airway muscles. The device stimulates the muscles to keep your airway open while you sleep based on your breathing patterns.
Airway stimulation therapy with the Inspire implant significantly reduces airway obstruction and resolves symptoms of sleep apnea, including decreasing your snoring and improving your daytime function and focus.
Dr. James also offers the VivAer® procedure, which uses low-current radiofrequency energy to heat and reshape your nasal tissues. By addressing the underlying cause of breathing issues, you can reduce your loud snoring and enjoy a better quality of sleep.
To find out if you’re a candidate for the Inspire implant in the treatment of sleep apnea, call the office of Joshua C. James, MD, or request a consultation through the online booking feature.
