Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to See OneFinding OneTypesWhat to Expect
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When to See One
Finding One
Types
What to Expect
Many types of healthcare providers can becomesleepspecialists. A “sleep doctor” may train in fields such as internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, family medicine, psychiatry,otolaryngology, or anesthesiology before completing a fellowship in sleep medicine.
The main goal of a sleep expert is to diagnose andtreat sleep disorders. Some providers focus on all aspects of sleep, while others treat just one type of sleep disorder. For example, you may see a pulmonologist (lung expert) forobstructive sleep apnea(OSA).
In this article, you’ll learn when you should see a sleep specialist, how to find the right one, and what to expect at an appointment.
JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images
What Sleep Specialists TreatInsomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or bothNarcolepsy: Falling asleep at inappropriate timesSleep apnea,obstructiveandcentral(CSA): Breathing pauses during sleepRestless legs syndrome(RLS): Sensations and urges to move that keep you awakeCircadian rhythm disorders: Abnormalities in the “internal clock”Parasomnias: Abnormal sleep behavior (e.g.,sleepwalking,sleep eating,nightmares,sleep paralysis)
What Sleep Specialists Treat
Insomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or bothNarcolepsy: Falling asleep at inappropriate timesSleep apnea,obstructiveandcentral(CSA): Breathing pauses during sleepRestless legs syndrome(RLS): Sensations and urges to move that keep you awakeCircadian rhythm disorders: Abnormalities in the “internal clock”Parasomnias: Abnormal sleep behavior (e.g.,sleepwalking,sleep eating,nightmares,sleep paralysis)
Circadian Rhythms: Impact on Sleep
When to See a Sleep Specialist
If you have or suspect a sleep disorder, the first step is to let your primary care provider know about it. Sleep problems that you should bring up include:
Your primary care provider may try to diagnose and treat your sleep disorder or your provider may send you to a specialist.
You may be unaware of some symptoms of sleep disorders because they only happen when you sleep. If you share a bed or bedroom with someone, ask if they’ve noticed whether you:Snore heavilyStop breathing periodically during sleepHave excessive arm or leg movements while you sleep
You may be unaware of some symptoms of sleep disorders because they only happen when you sleep. If you share a bed or bedroom with someone, ask if they’ve noticed whether you:
How to Find a Sleep Specialist
Your primary care provider may refer you to a sleep specialist, or you may need to find one on your own.
First, check with your health insurance company to see what sleep experts in your area are covered. You may also want to ask friends and family for recommendations.
Questions to Ask
As you search, keep in mind any possible diagnoses you or your healthcare provider suspect. That can help you narrow your focus to the sleep experts who treat the right types of sleep disorders.
Types of Sleep Specialists
Several types of healthcare providers can specialize in one or more sleep problems. Full-time sleep specialists include:
Other specialists who may treat some sleep disorders include:
Depending on your symptoms or diagnosis, you may see one or more of these specialists.
Mental Health and Sleep Disorders: The Connection
Dr. William Charles Dement, Pioneer of Sleep StudiesWilliam Charles Dement, MD, PhD, (1928-2020) created the field of sleep medicine and research. During the 1950s, along with Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky, he discovered and described REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the phase in which dreaming usually occurs.Dement founded the first sleep disorders center as well as the first professional organization for sleep research. He conducted studies on the impact of sleep deprivation and helped educate others about the importance of sleep for health.
Dr. William Charles Dement, Pioneer of Sleep Studies
William Charles Dement, MD, PhD, (1928-2020) created the field of sleep medicine and research. During the 1950s, along with Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky, he discovered and described REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the phase in which dreaming usually occurs.Dement founded the first sleep disorders center as well as the first professional organization for sleep research. He conducted studies on the impact of sleep deprivation and helped educate others about the importance of sleep for health.
William Charles Dement, MD, PhD, (1928-2020) created the field of sleep medicine and research. During the 1950s, along with Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky, he discovered and described REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the phase in which dreaming usually occurs.
Dement founded the first sleep disorders center as well as the first professional organization for sleep research. He conducted studies on the impact of sleep deprivation and helped educate others about the importance of sleep for health.
What to Expect During a Sleep Specialist Appointment
When you see a sleep specialist, one of the first things they’ll likely ask you to do is keep a sleep journal. This should list:
You may want to start tracking this before you see the specialist. It might speed up the diagnostic process.
The specialist will likely:
Questions to Ask a Sleep Specialist
Before you go to your appointment, it’s helpful to write down a list of questions to ask the sleep specialist. This can help you better understand your sleep disorder and how best to treat it. Questions may include:
Sleep Studies
Some sleep disorders, such as insomnia, are diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history. Others may includepolysomnography(a sleep study).
Sleep studies are done overnight with special equipment, either in a sleep clinic or in your home. This is typically done to diagnose sleep apnea or circadian rhythm disorders and confirm a diagnosis of insomnia, narcolepsy, or other sleep disorder.
During the study, machines will gather information on your:
The sleep specialist may also order tests of your blood and/or urine to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
What Is Shift Work Sleep Disorder?
Summary
Sleep specialists diagnose and treat sleep disorders. You may need to see one if you have trouble sleeping, have excessive daytime fatigue, or experience other symptoms tied to sleep. Many types of healthcare professionals can treat sleep problems. The type of provider you see will depend on your symptoms. Further testing may eliminate other possible conditions.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Thoracic Society.Choosing Sleep Medicine.
University of Washington Medical School: UW Medicine.Sleep medicine.
MedlinePlus.Sleep disorders.
Sleep Foundation.How to talk to your doctor about your sleep.
International Citizens Group, International Citizens Insurance.How much does healthcare cost in the USA?
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.What is a sleep team?
Stanford University Medical School, Stanford Health Care.Consultation with a sleep specialist.
Stanford Medicine.William Dement, giant in sleep medicine, dies at 91.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What happens in a sleep study?
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Sleep disorders.
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