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Choosing a Sleep Disorder Doctor

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by John Casey in Sleep Apnea

Sleep medicine is a new medical specialty that is rising in popularity due to an increase of sleeping disorders. Thirty percent of Americans now experience some type of sleeping disorder and many types have been identified. The most common disorders are snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. All of these are can be diagnosed by a series of tests ran by your regular doctor or a sleep medicine specialist. Your doctor can run basic tests to make sure a medical condition is not causing your sleep problems. They will look at your medical history, sleeping patterns, and run blood tests for an initial diagnosis and then recommend specialists if they see signs of a sleep disorder.

If you want to choose a sleep specialist or need a second opinion from a sleep disorder doctor, do some research to find the best in the field and determine what disorder they need to specialize in. There are accredited sleep centers across the country and 3,500 specialists to choose from. Sleep labs have designated certified specialists that you can request when being examined to make sure you get the best diagnosis and care. Even if you cannot get a specialist for the type of disorder you are experiencing, most can evaluate any type of disorder and prescribe treatment.

Sleep disorders can be very damaging to your health if left untreated. They can deprive you of the necessary sleep your body needs to repair and cleanse itself. Prolonged loss of sleep will cause you to be tired during the day, have mood and behavior problems, and increase your risk of developing diseases and immune related sicknesses. It is better to seek advice from a professional if you believe a sleep disorder exists so treatment can begin and you can wake up refreshed and healthy every day.

Tags: sleep apnea, sleep disorder doctor, sleep problems