• Primary Care Physicians (PCP) are doctors who serve as the primary point of care. They help patients manage their overall health and can refer them to the right specialist as needed. 

• Sleep specialists are board-certified doctors who received special training to diagnose all sleep-related disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome.   

• Neurologists are brain doctors who treat excessive daytime sleepiness if it’s related to neurological disorders like narcolepsy, a condition that causes sudden attacks of sleep, or central sleep apnea, which happens when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.  

Excessive daytime sleepiness – also called hypersomnia – can be caused by different things, including sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or insomnia. It can happen if someone doesn’t get enough sleep, has poor-quality sleep, or has a health condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome or major depression. It can also be a side effect of certain medications.   

Signs or symptoms vary from person to person. They can include: 

• Being very sleepy even after getting enough sleep 

• Trouble staying awake while working, studying, or watching TV 

• Nodding off during situations when staying awake is important 

• Finding it hard to focus on tasks or pay attention 

• Feeling grumpy or experiencing sudden mood swings 

The treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness depends on what’s causing it. A doctor will create a treatment plan based on what each person needs. Treatment options include:  

• Making lifestyle changes to help improve sleep habits 

• Addressing any underlying sleep disorders 

• Using medications to help stay awake 

Fatigue is when someone feels extremely tired or has no energy. Excessive daytime sleepiness means a person is having a hard time staying awake during the day even after getting enough sleep. Fatigue can be both mental and physical, but excessive daytime sleepiness is specifically related to falling asleep or feeling very sleepy during the day.

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find an Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near New York, NY
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Chicago, IL
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Houston, TX
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Atlanta, GA
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Boston, MA
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near Dallas, TX
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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