If you or someone you care for is suffering from a sleep problem or sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or any other sleep disorder it is important to seek help. Unlike treatments for common colds or other simple medical issues, to best handle a sleep disorder you will likely need a team approach. Consulting your general practitioner can be a good first step. If you are having symptoms of any type of sleep disorder your doctor will probably refer you to a sleep laboratory.
If you need assistance locating a sleep physician in your area to help you with your sleep disorder simply call 1-800-MORE-SLEEP and we will put you in touch with a caring, qualified sleep physician who will help you manage the causes, symptoms, side-effects, and treatment of your sleep disorder.
It is also likely, especially if your sleep disorder involves sleep apnea and/or chronic snoring, that you will be sent to a dentist. If you need help finding a dentist to be part of your sleep disorder treatment team you can find one in your area by clicking on your state on the map or simply by calling 1-800-MORE-SLEEP. It might seem odd to think that a dentist would be able to help you get a better night sleep, but in fact dentistry plays a critical role in managing a variety of sleep disorders, so much so that sleep clinics in hospitals are required to have a dentist on staff in order to be certified. To learn more about the role of dentistry in the treatment of sleep disorders and sleep disorder symptoms click here.
Other types of doctors that treat sleep disorders and may be a part of your sleep disorder treatment team include pulmonologists, neurologists, otolarynologists, and psychiatrists or other mental health professionals. Pulmonologists specialize in lungs, and can help when sleep problems are related to or are causing breathing problems. Neurologists help treat sleep disorders using their expertise in the field of brain chemistry. Otolarynologists can help with some of the physical aspects of certain sleep disorders with a focus on ears, nose, and throat structures and health. To treat sleep disorders there may need to be behavior modifications, this is where psychiatrists and mental health professionals who treat sleep disorders can be a part of your team of sleep disorder treatment professionals.
Physicians and health care providers who treat sleep disorders may have specific training, either from other sleep specialists and/or through a residency program specializing in sleep medicine. Continuing medical education (CME) courses and scientific meetings also provide opportunities for interested practitioners to gain the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to practice sleep medicine. The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) was established to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards of Sleep Medicine, and issue certificates of special knowledge in Sleep Medicine to Physicians and PhDs in related fields. Your sleep specialist may be certified through the ABSM or may hold one or more degrees that meet the ABSM requirements. These requirements for sleep medicine specialists include an MD, DO, MB, PhD, or PsyD in a health-related field.
There are many qualified sleep specialists throughout the United States. Take the opportunity to find a sleep physician, a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine, or any other type of sleep specialist today so that you can gain control of your sleep disorder and begin down the path towards a better night’s sleep!