Sleep Medicine
what is a sleep doctor?
Sleep doctors are specialists assist patients who suffer from disorders or conditions that affect our ability to sleep, dealing with conditions like sleep apnea, narcolepsy and night terrors.
About Sleep Medicine:
Physicians trained in the field of sleep medicine research, diagnose, treat, prevent and manage numerous disorders and complications associated with sleep. Sleep medicine specialists often act as consultants to general practitioners or family doctors who are seeking advice for their patients who are experiencing sleep-related complications. Additionally, sleep medicine physicians may serve as part of a multidisciplinary team when providing care.
Disorders and diseases treated within the sleep medicine specialty include, but are not limited to:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea
Narcolepsy
Insomnia
REM Behavior Disorder
Restless Leg Syndrome(RLS)
Sleepwalking, Sleep eating
Parasomnias
Teeth grinding
Nightmares, Night Terrors
Circadian rhythm disorders
Learn More About florida sleep & Common Sleep Disorders:
To diagnose sleep-related disorders, sleep specialists may screening devices, questionnaires, actigraphs, apnographs, oximeters, overnight sleep studies, polysomnograms, home sleep studies and maintenance of wakefulness tests, among others.
After diagnosing the patient with a sleep disorder, there are many treatment techniques a sleep specialist may provide. These may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, behavioral therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), counseling, medical devices (such as oral devices for sleep apnea), modification of lifestyle (such as an improved diet or instituting a regular sleep schedule), prescription of medications, and other treatment techniques. Each patient’s specific lifestyle and diagnosis will affect the treatment plan developed by the sleep specialist, as no two patients have the same physiology and contributing factors.