Renew Sleep

10/31/2025

Don't fall for sleep medicine tricks this year!

CPAP isn't your only option for obstructive sleep apnea!

Treat yourself to restorative sleep by scheduling a sleep consultation and evaluation with our team!

P.S.: Don’t experience the horror of letting your 2025 benefits run out - schedule your appointment before your deductible resets!

10/20/2025

Elizabeth Beard, DDS, FAGD is a Lubbock native and a proud Red Raider!

Dr. Beard graduated from Lubbock High in 1999 and obtained a bachelors degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Texas Tech University in 2003.  

Dr. Beard completed her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 2007.  

She continued her dental education with a hospital based General Practice Residency at University Hospital in San Antonio.  During residency she acquired extensive training and experience in the surgical removal of teeth, placement and restoration of dental implants, IV conscious sedation, and advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures.

In 2014 Dr. Beard shifted her focus to a more integrative approach to dentistry and opened Renew Dental to bring this treatment philosophy to West Texas.  

Dr. Beard completed her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry in 2016.  She also holds a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, an honor that recognizes a commitment to post-doctoral continuing dental education.

Dr. Beard began her studies in airway health and dental sleep medicine in 2018. She obtained her Diplomate status in the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine in 2023. She opened Renew Sleep in 2023.  

Dr. Beard is fiercely passionate about oral and airway health and how that integrates into the body’s overall health. Helping patients get well and stay well is what keeps Dr. Beard going!

When she is not in the office treating patients or out of town continuing her education, you can find Dr. Beard wondering around Tech Terrace walking her dog Birdie and listening to her favorite podcasts. She can also be found at home trying new recipes with her daughter Sloan, contemplating the Star Wars and Marvel dynasties with her son Cannon, or keeping up with the automotive industry with her husband Derek.  

Any chance she gets, she is traveling with her family, her best friend, or exploring on her own, as long as she is seeing the world!

10/15/2025

10/13/2025

HAVE YOUR SLEEP CHECKED!

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be a significant contributing factor to obesity or weight gain!

Just as weight gain may increase the risk of sleep apnea, untreated sleep apnea may indirectly contribute to weight gain.

Sleep disruption of any kind affects the circadian system.

An altered circadian system is associated with changes in eating patterns, which, in turn, may affect weight. It can also lead to hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

OSA, specifically, is associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Lipid abnormalities associated with OSA include high triglycerides and low HDL. Hormones related to obesity are also altered by OSA. Ghrelin, an appetite stimulant, is higher in patients with OSA.

Sleep deprivation tends to lower leptin production, which may be a reason why poor sleep contributes to obesity. Leptin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue, functions in the hypothalamus to signal satiety to the brain.
Adiponectin is another adipokine that enhances glucose control and lipid metabolism, and may also reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Levels of adiponectin are reduced in both obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.

Another, perhaps shockingly, straightforward way in which OSA affects weight is that it can make someone too tired to exercise. Physical activity, one of the four pillars of obesity treatment, is important for maintaining a healthy weight.

Addressing disordered sleep, the potential root cause of your weight gain, will serve your health long-term better than simply addressing the weight gain symptoms.

Call today to schedule your sleep consultation and evaluation!

10/08/2025

The symptoms of Obstructive sleep apnea aren’t just simple snoring or extreme fatigue. In fact, symptoms can present differently depending on your age and gender.

Unique signs and symptoms of OSA in Women:

🟣Migraine Headaches
🟣Fatigue
🟣Anxiety
🟣Depression
🟣Sleep onset insomnia
🟣Sleep Disruption
🟣Nightmares
🟣Hormone imbalances

Unique signs and symptoms of OSA in Men:

🔵Difficulty Concentrating
🔵Irritability
🔵Headache upon waking
🔵Episodes of gasping or choking during sleep
🔵Daytime sleepiness
🔵Snoring
🔵Low Testosterone

We can evaluate your sleep without you going to your primary care practitioner first! Call today to schedule your consultation and evaluation now to take advantage of 2025 insurance benefits before your deductible resets!

10/06/2025

How well a woman sleeps – not just how long – as she transitions through menopause may affect her projected risk for heart disease and stroke, new research suggests.

A 2023 study found that women who were peri- and postmenopausal who experienced a range of sleep disturbances scored worse on key measures of cardiovascular health than their premenopausal peers.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions conference in Philadelphia.

“Women who are going through menopause should definitely keep an eye on their sleep habits and take this seriously,” said the study’s lead investigator, Dr. Brooke Aggarwal, an assistant professor of medical sciences in the cardiology division at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. “They should know that sleep disturbances are common and something they may need to discuss with their health care team.

If you are 35 or older and experiencing brain fog, fatigue, and/or snoring, optimizing your sleep now can help optimize your cardiovascular health later.

Call us today to schedule your sleep consultation and evaluation!

10/01/2025

We 💚 it when you sleep better!

09/29/2025

Before you resort to Unisom or Ambien or tether yourself to a CPAP machine, consider sleep tests that include structural diagnostics in addition to the traditional sleep studies.

The Renew Sleep difference is the recognition that sleep disorders are not one-size-fits-all, so sleep diagnostics and treatments shouldn’t be either.

The standard procedure at our practice for your initial visit with Dr. Beard and our team includes a thorough dental exam, TMJ and airway assessment, imaging, and consultation.

Take advantage of the end-of-year insurance coverage before your deductible resets! Call today to schedule your sleep consultation and evaluation.