Dr. Howard Barrow, MD

Dr. Howard Barrow, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Fort Myers, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he understands that your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. He creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (239) 936-1616 to schedule.

Dr. Howard Barrow, MD is a head & neck surgery otolaryngologist in Fort Myers, FL, affiliated with Cape Coral Hospital and Lee Memorial Hospital. He completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, followed by residency training in Sleep Medicine at Manhattan E E T Hospital, and St Vincent's Hsp And M C Ny, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. He is Board Certified in Otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and Board Certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Barrow's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Howard Barrow is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Howard Barrow can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Howard Barrow provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Chronic Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis, if left untreated, can lead to sleep disturbances and worsen conditions like sleep apnea, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management for overall health.
• Headache: Ignoring frequent headaches could mask a sleep apnea diagnosis, leading to long-term cardiovascular risks; seeking help early is crucial for prevention.
• Insomnia: Preventing the negative consequences of insomnia, such as impaired cognitive function and increased risk of accidents, starts with proactive management strategies.
• Sleep Apnea: Managing sleep apnea proactively through lifestyle changes and/or medical intervention significantly reduces your risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, and other life-threatening conditions.
• Sleep Disorders: Regular check-ups and sleep assessments can help identify and manage sleep disorders before they escalate into more severe health issues.
• TMJ: By managing your TMJ through therapies like physical therapy or dental appliances, you can prevent the disruptive sleep problems associated with jaw pain and improve your overall sleep quality, impacting long-term health.
• Vertigo: Experiencing vertigo? Don't ignore it – it can interfere with your sleep cycle and lead to chronic fatigue and other health issues if left unmanaged.
• Wheezing: Experiencing wheezing? Don't ignore it – addressing the root cause, such as asthma or allergies, proactively protects against sleep disturbances and long-term respiratory complications.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Howard Barrow offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Diagnostic Nasal and Sinus Endoscopy: To ensure healthy breathing during sleep, a nasal and sinus endoscopy helps identify and diagnose nasal and sinus problems that could lead to sleep apnea or other sleep-related breathing difficulties.
• Home Sleep Study: Prevent future health issues by participating in a home sleep study; this straightforward test can reveal underlying sleep disorders, leading to better health and improved quality of life.
• Nasal Septum Surgery (Septoplasty): Septoplasty, or nasal septum surgery, can improve airflow and breathing, helping prevent sleep apnea and improve sleep quality.
• Turbinate Reduction: If nasal blockages are interfering with your sleep, turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure that can help restore healthy breathing and reduce sleep apnea.
• Behavior Management: Take control of your sleep health by learning and implementing healthy sleep behaviors to reduce the risk of developing insomnia or sleep apnea.
• Speech Therapy: By improving airway function through exercises, speech therapy plays a role in early detection and management of sleep apnea.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR therapy can help you process past traumatic experiences that might be contributing to your sleep problems, paving the way for better rest.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Howard Barrow is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• A patient, recognizing the link between chronic sinusitis and sleep, proactively sought guidance from a sleep specialist. Early intervention helped manage the condition, preventing potential sleep disturbances and improving overall well-being.
• Recognizing frequent headaches as a potential sign of sleep apnea, a patient proactively sought evaluation, significantly reducing their risk of long-term cardiovascular problems and gaining peace of mind about their overall health.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Howard Barrow:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has undergone specialized fellowship training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Often trained in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to finding the root cause of sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, treatment is a critical step in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

During a sleep study, or polysomnogram, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a tailored prevention plan.

What is a circadian rhythm disorder?

Circadian rhythm disorders are problems with the body's internal 24-hour clock, causing a misalignment between your internal clock and the external world. A sleep specialist can help realign this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin. We can work together to find the best solution for your specific needs.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensory disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often worse in the evening or night. It's not simply a muscle cramp, but a condition that can significantly disrupt sleep. Diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing severe sleep disruption and improving your quality of life.

Can lifestyle changes like weight loss help sleep apnea?

Yes, significantly. Excess weight can narrow the airway, and for many patients, even a moderate amount of weight loss can dramatically reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea, preventing the need for other therapies.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our practice emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which is the first-line, most effective long-term treatment. CBT-I is a program that retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing the thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine delivers a gentle, constant flow of air through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep, preventing breathing pauses. This therapy helps restore healthy sleep and protects your heart.

39 Barkley Cir
Fort Myers FL 33907
Phone: (239) 936-1616

Dr. Howard Barrow, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1831164201

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Howard Barrow are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.