If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor to rule out blockage in your nose or throat. An evaluation by a heart doctor (cardiologist) or a doctor who specializes in the nervous system (neurologist) might be necessary to look for causes of central sleep apnea.

What is a sleep doctor specialist called?

The formal name for a sleep doctor is “somnologist” – from the root 'somnus', meaning sleep. American Sleep Association – Providing information about Dr. Sleep since 2002. Visit the ASA Ask the Sleep Doctor Section to find out more about sleep doctors, sleep psychologists, sleep dentists and other sleep specialists.

What kind of Dr handles sleep apnea?

Sleep specialists come from a variety of medical backgrounds. They may be pulmonologists (lung specialists), otolaryngologists (ears, nose, and throat), neurologists (brain and nerves), psychiatrists (mental health), or primary care physicians–internists and family practitioners.

Do neurologists treat sleep apnea?

Neurologists tend to provide treatment for sleeping disorders when the cause is thought to be neurological. Central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome can all be related to neurological issues and are best treated by a neurologist.

Can a pulmonologist treat sleep apnea?

Pulmonologists manage other diseases such as COPD, asthma and other breathing disorders that may be related to sleep apnea; therefore, some pulmonologists will elect to become boarded in sleep medicine.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Explained Clearly - Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment

21 related questions found

Can ENT diagnose sleep apnea?

See the ENT for sleep apnea treatment

The ENT may be able to determine the cause of the airway obstruction causing the apnea and help you breathe easier day and night. You can't sleep if you can't breathe; so call the ENT today for better breathing.

Which doctor treats sleep disorders?

A sleep specialist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats sleep disorders. Most sleep specialists train in internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, or neurology during residency. After completing residency, they complete a fellowship program in sleep medicine.

Do psychiatrists treat sleep disorders?

Although psychiatrists often treat patients with insomnia secondary to depression, most patients discuss their insomnia with general care physicians, making it important to provide this group with clear guidelines for the diagnosis and management of insomnia.

Can sleep apnea cause mental problems?

Sleep apnea is also associated with trouble concentrating, memory problems, poor decision-making, depression and stress. For the study, the researchers examined levels of two brain chemicals: glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA. These chemicals are found in a part of the brain called the insula.

What are the 5 types of sleep disorders?

5 Major Sleep Disorders

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) RLS is a condition that causes your legs to move or shake because of an unpleasant sensation. ...
• Insomnia. ...
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) ...
• Sleep Apnea. ...
• Narcolepsy.

Is sleep disorder a mental disorder?

There is no evidence that sleep disorders are a cause of psychiatric disorders. But sleep and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression are closely related. Psychiatric disorders are the leading cause of insomnia, the inability to sleep.

Is sleep apnea a neurological disorder?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that is common among neurological patients. If undiagnosed and untreated, it may lead to hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, and, ultimately, death.

Can apnea be cured?

CPAP and oral appliances work well, but they're not cures for sleep apnea. The only sure way to rid yourself of the condition for good is to either lose weight or have surgery to remove excess tissue from the palate or throat.

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that happens when your breathing stops and starts while you slumber. If it goes untreated, it can cause loud snoring, daytime tiredness, or more serious problems like heart trouble or high blood pressure.

Can an ear, nose, and throat specialist help with sleep apnea?

ENT specialists treat sleep-disordered breathing, nasal and airway obstruction, snoring and sleep apnea, and more.

What is an ENT surgeon called?

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called otolaryngologist.

What is the throat surgery called for sleep apnea?

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure that removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. This sometimes can allow air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Is obstructive sleep apnea permanent?

Can Sleep Apnea Go Away? For the most part, sleep apnea is a chronic condition that does not go away. Anatomy tends to remain fixed, especially after adolescence has ended. Therefore, children with sleep apnea may retain hope for the condition being successfully and definitively treated.

Has anyone died of sleep apnea?

Eighty deaths were recorded, including 37 deaths attributed to cancer and 25 deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease and stroke. About 19 percent of participants with severe sleep apnea died (12 deaths), compared with about four percent of participants with no sleep apnea (46 deaths).

How can I permanently fix sleep apnea?

Oral appliances and CPAP are the overall more reliable option, but for complicated cases, cases in which no other treatment has worked, or at the patient's request, surgery may be the way to go.

What are the hallmark signs of obstructive sleep apnea?

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Loud snoring.
• Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep.
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking.
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat.
• Morning headache.
• Difficulty concentrating during the day.

What are the 3 types of sleep apnea?

A person with sleep apnea stops breathing during sleep. There are three forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complex. The most common of these is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

How long will it take to reverse damage from sleep apnea?

Although three months of CPAP therapy produced only limited improvements to damaged brain structures, 12 months of CPAP therapy led to an almost complete reversal of white matter abnormalities.

Why can't my mind stop thinking when Im sleeping?

Insomnia has many causes. One of them is stress and anxiety that leads to churning thoughts when you're trying to sleep. By identifying your stress, scheduling time to attend to your worries, and establishing a healthy bedtime routine, you may be able to avoid racing thoughts and sleep more soundly.

What are the 3 most common sleep disorders?

3 Most Common Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia and Narcolepsy. Insomnia, or the chronic inability to fall or remain asleep, is by far the most common sleep disorder. ...
• Sleep Apnea. ...
• Restless Leg Syndrome.