Ryan Nord, MD

Biography

Offering a unique way to give patients a good night’s sleep
Although many people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes people to snore and even stop breathing at night, many don’t realize it. However, they might recognize some common symptoms, such as snoring or waking up tired even after a full night of sleep.

While many people find effective treatment with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, Dr. Ryan Nord, director of sleep surgery in VCU’s Department of Otolaryngology, is there for those who can’t tolerate the face mask or get targeted results. He focuses on reversing the causes of disordered sleep, starting with medication and specialized surgery. Those treatments can help open up the nasal passages and create more space in the throat, allowing for the normal oxygen supply to continue.

Dr. Nord also offers Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, where a small device is implanted under the skin in the upper chest. Every evening, the device then delivers mild stimulation to keep key airway muscles moving during sleep. “Basically, the device synchronizes the patient’s own breathing, and it’s a much less invasive procedure than traditional sleep apnea surgery,” says Dr. Nord, adding that the outpatient surgery requires no permanent alteration to a person’s anatomy and allows for easier recovery.

The VCU Multidisciplinary Sleep Center is among an elite group of medical centers recognized nationally for its results and patient-centered care with Inspire. Few centers in Virginia provide Inspire therapy, an implantable medical device available for moderate to severe sleep apnea in patients who meet other select criteria. VCU Health is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (Inspire) based on exceptional results and patient care.

“Everyone is similar in their desire to lead happy, healthy and productive lives,” says Dr. Nord, noting that about half of his patients are there for a second opinion to treat their sleep apnea. “Despite this desire, many people are unable to reach their potential because they can’t get a good night’s sleep. My initial motivation to become a physician centered on this key aspect of our wellbeing. My enthusiasm has strengthened throughout the years as I see my patients thrive after a normal pattern of sleep is restored.”

Patients who come to Dr. Nord should expect a thorough head and neck exam at their first visit. He also might conduct an endoscopy, a quick and painless imaging procedure that allows him to help identify root causes of many complaints. Patients also will be asked to tell their medical story and what brought them to him.

“As I listen to my patients, I learn their struggles,” he says. “As I continue to listen, I learn how to help. To be successful in otolaryngology requires being adept at investigative medical diagnose, a compendium of knowledge related to medical treatments of disorders in the head and neck, and master of the technical aspects of surgery.”

He knows it also takes more than technical success. “It takes empathy and shared decision making to reach the best outcome,” he adds.

Every year, therapy options become more individualized, allowing physicians to truly match the approach to the exact condition in the patient. As part of the Multidisciplinary Sleep Center, Dr. Nord collaborates with specialists in related fields to resolve the most complicated cases.

Away from the operating and examination rooms, Dr. Nord enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. In the evenings, you can find him observing the sky as an amateur astronomer. In warmer months, the CrossFit athlete also is mastering his standup paddle board technique.

Learn more about Sleep Apnea