Physicians participating in the referral service program have chosen to participate, are in good standing at our hospitals, have not paid a fee, are credentialed to perform the service you have requested and are accepting new patients in their practice. They do not have a financial interest in another hospital or facility in this area and are not employed by or have an ownership interest in a competitive health care system. To ensure patients have a reasonable number of physician choices, the program includes physicians who may not have privileges at our hospital but have an office location in our hospital's primary service area or have been granted access to our hospital's clinical information systems. Physicians who are employed or engaged by an HCA affiliated physician practice or offering online appointment scheduling are referred first with others referred on a randomized basis to match your individual needs with consideration for the preferences you have expressed.
What is a sleep medicine specialist (somnologist)?
A sleep medicine specialist, also known as a somnologist, is a doctor who diagnoses and treats sleep disorders. Many sleep specialists first train in internal medicine, psychiatry, or neurology before specializing in sleep medicine.
What conditions do somnologists treat?
Sleep specialists treat a variety of conditions, such as:
bruxism: the act of grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw during sleep
hypersomnia: a condition in which you feel excessive sleepiness
insomnia: a sleep disorder where you have a hard time falling and staying asleep
narcolepsy: a condition that causes atypical sleep patterns, including sudden urges to fall asleep
night terrors: the recurrence of disruptive sleep episodes where you may flail, cry out, breath rapidly, and more
When should I contact a sleep medicine specialist?
You may benefit from speaking with a sleep specialist if you’re not getting enough sleep, have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or feel unrested. Your primary care physician may also refer you to a specialist if they believe specific symptoms result from a sleep disorder.
What can I expect from my sleep medicine specialist appointment?
During your first sleep specialist appointment, your doctor will ask questions to determine the root cause of your sleep problems. Depending on your answers, your sleep specialist may also recommend diagnostic tests or a sleep study. During sleep studies, a technician will monitor your brainwaves, heart rate, eye movement, and more. Your sleep medicine specialist will use the findings from the sleep study to help diagnose your sleep disorder and put together your treatment plan.
What questions should I ask my sleep medicine specialist?
It’s important that you prepare for your appointment with a somnologist. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of good questions to ask your doctor:
Do I have a sleep disorder?
What may be causing my sleep disorder?
Are there any tests you recommend I get?
What are the possible risks or complications of my condition?
What are my treatment options?
Would I benefit from a sleep study?
Are there any lifestyle changes I can make that will help?
You may use these questions as a starting point, but feel free to add your own. A good practice is to also ask for additional information and take notes during your appointment.
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