{"id":26793,"date":"2022-12-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/how-to-find-a-sleep-doctor\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T23:13:01","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T23:13:01","slug":"how-to-find-a-sleep-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-sleep-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find a Good Sleep Doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When you\u2019re having trouble sleeping, sometimes there comes a point at which you exhaust everything you can do on your own. You try&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-melatonin\/\">melatonin<\/a>, eat sleep-inducing snacks, and develop a good sleep routine. And yet, quality sleep evades you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, it\u2019s likely time to visit a sleep specialist. If you\u2019re wondering what a sleep specialist does exactly\u2014and how to find a sleep doctor in the first place\u2014read on for everything you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-sleep-specialist\">What is a sleep specialist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA sleep specialist is a healthcare provider that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and disturbances,\u201d says&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thinksleep.org\/\">Shantha Gowda<\/a>, PsyD, board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some sleep specialists may have narrower expertise or specialization in specific areas of sleep or&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleep-disorders\/\">sleep disorders<\/a>, she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Gowda, these providers tend to fall within three categories: sleep medicine specialists, behavioral sleep medicine specialists, and dental sleep medicine specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sleep medicine specialists<\/strong>&nbsp;are medical doctors, or MDs, who &#8220;chose to specialize in sleep by completing a fellowship in sleep medicine,\u201d Gowda says. \u201cMDs from a variety of specialties may choose to do this,\u201d although, most commonly, they&#8217;re neurologists, pulmonologists, internal medicine physicians (internists), family medicine physicians, psychiatrists, otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Behavioral sleep medicine specialists<\/strong>&nbsp;are \u201coften psychologists who complete a fellowship in behavioral sleep medicine,\u201d Gowda says. \u201cThey focus on the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders and disturbances by addressing behavioral, psychological, and physiological factors that interfere with sleep.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dental sleep medicine specialists<\/strong>&nbsp;are \u201cdentists trained in dental sleep medicine and focus on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, specifically&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleep-apnea-guide\/\">obstructive sleep apnea<\/a>&nbsp;(OSA),\u201d Gowda explains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-should-you-see-a-sleep-specialist\">When should you see a sleep specialist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou should see a sleep specialist if you are struggling with sleep in any capacity,\u201d Gowda says. Additionally, she says some common examples that warrant a visit to a sleep specialist include but aren&#8217;t limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/how-to-deal-with-snoring\/\">snore<\/a>&nbsp;or gasp for air while you sleep (your bed partner may be the one to point this out to you).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You feel sleepy during the day and can easily doze off even after what seems like a sufficient night of sleep.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/what-can-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep\/\">difficulty falling asleep<\/a>&nbsp;or maintaining sleep throughout the night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have excessive worry about your sleep in general (your sleep\u2019s impact on your functioning during the day, your long-term health, etc.).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have difficulty adjusting to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/jet-lag-cures\/\">jet lag<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/shift-work-sleep-tips\/\">shift work<\/a>&nbsp;schedules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re concerned about unusual behaviors at night (acting out nightmares, sleepwalking,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/what-is-sleep-paralysis\/\">sleep paralysis<\/a>, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want help working with your newborn\/infant\/child\/teenager on their sleep.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re interested in learning more about how you can maintain healthy sleep and prevent poor sleep in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sleep doctors can help diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders, adds Gowda. These can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sleep-disordered breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/tips-for-treating-insomnia\/\">Insomnia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Circadian rhythm disorders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parasomnias<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restless legs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pediatric sleep problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey can also provide you with sleep education and strategies to help you manage your sleep lifelong,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-you-find-a-sleep-specialist-near-you\">How do you find a sleep specialist near you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering how to find a sleep doctor that treats sleep disorders or any other sleep issues you\u2019re dealing with, it\u2019s a good idea to start with your primary care doctor. They can provide a recommendation for the specific challenge you\u2019re dealing with. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Gowda shares, you can also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact your insurance provider to see which sleep specialists are covered under your plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search the Internet with the search term \u201csleep doctor near me\u201d to find specialists in your area. Set up a time to speak with the clinic or specialist, ask questions, and read through their credentials and any reviews that may be available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go through accredited directories. This is an easy way to find a sleep specialist near you since you can search by location. \u201cYou can access these directories from each board\u2019s website,\u201d Gowda says. These include the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/aasm.org\/\">American Academy of Sleep Medicine<\/a>,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/narcolepsynetwork.org\/resources\/find-a-sleep-center\/\">Narcolepsy Network<\/a>,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.behavioralsleep.org\/index.php\/united-states-sbsm-members\">Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mms.aadsm.org\/members\/directory\/search_bootstrap.php?org_id=ADSM\">American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other options include getting a referral from family or friends or contacting local hospitals for recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-should-you-prepare-for-your-appointment-with-a-sleep-specialist\">How should you prepare for your appointment with a sleep specialist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some ways you can prepare for your first appointment with a sleep doctor. Gowda&#8217;s top tips include: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jot down your main concerns before your appointment so you don&#8217;t forget to convey anything important.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be prepared to share: What exactly about your sleep are you concerned about? What treatments (medications or otherwise) have you tried before? What are your goals with treatment?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis appointment is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about your sleep problems and treatment options,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-doctor-should-i-see-if-i-can-t-sleep\">What doctor should I see if I can\u2019t sleep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on the sleep challenge you\u2019re facing. Providers tend to fall within three categories: sleep medicine specialists, behavioral sleep medicine specialists, and dental sleep medicine specialists.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While sleep medicine specialists are geared toward sleep in general, behavioral sleep medicine specialists can help with sleep issues that are psychological in nature and dental sleep medicine specialists can help with obstructive sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-should-i-see-a-sleep-specialist\">When should I see a sleep specialist?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re struggling with sleep in any capacity, it\u2019s time to make an appointment with a specialist, says Gowda. This is especially true if you\u2019re noticing things like feeling overly sleepy during the day, having trouble falling and staying asleep, or acting out unusual behaviors in your sleep. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-i-find-a-sleep-doctor-near-me\">How can I find a sleep doctor near me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a wide variety of ways to locate a sleep doctor near you. You can ask your primary physician for a referral, search accredited directories, or turn to Google to find a doctor and read reviews. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Can&#8217;t seem to fall\u2014and stay\u2014asleep? Learn about&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia\/\">cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia<\/a>, a popular treatment option.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re wondering what a sleep specialist does exactly-and how to find a sleep doctor in the first place-read on for everything you need to know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":26794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[389,390],"tags":[],"coauthors":[418],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-26793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep-health","category-sleep-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26793"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26793\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26793"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=26793"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=26793"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=26793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}