Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.

• 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.  

• Pulmonologists are lung doctors who treat sleep apnea if it’s linked to breathing issues or comorbid (concurrent) conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

• Neurologists are brain doctors who treat sleep apnea if it’s related to neurological problems, like central sleep apnea, when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. 

• Ear, nose, and throat specialists (ENTs) – also called otolaryngologists – are involved if sleep apnea is related to constricted airway issues like enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, or a deviated septum.  

Symptoms of sleep apnea may vary from person to person. They can include: 

• Loud snoring 

• Feeling tired when waking up (even after a full night’s sleep) 

• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat 

• Morning headaches  

• Daytime drowsiness 

• Trouble focusing 

• Mood changes, such as depression and irritability  

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute states that the first step in diagnosing sleep apnea is to participate in a sleep study. A polysomnogram is an overnight sleep study that takes place in a medical clinic called a sleep lab. This study involves being hooked up to sensors that monitor heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and brain waves.   

A home sleep study takes place at home with no healthcare professionals present. This study is less detailed because it does not include brain wave monitoring. If results of a home sleep study are inconclusive (not clear), the doctor may recommend a polysomnogram.  

A common treatment is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This breathing device is worn overnight to deliver continuous air through the mouth and/or nose while asleep. Another option is to wear a dental device that fits over the teeth like a retainer and forces the jaw in a forward position to help keep the airway open during sleep. Other approaches include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding alcohol.    

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, if left untreated for too long, sleep apnea can lead to serious health risks, including high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and major depression. It can also cause excessive daytime sleepyness (feeling very sleepy during the day), which could lead to accidents.  

There is no specific life expectancy associated with sleep apnea, and researchers have not determined whether sleep apnea causes premature death.  
 
According to a 2008 study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, however, people with severe or untreated sleep apnea have a higher risk of death. Many of the participants in the study also had other conditions associated with lower life expectancy, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It is unclear what role sleep apnea played in their life expectancy versus those other conditions.  

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 Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near New York, NY
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Chicago, IL
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Houston, TX
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Atlanta, GA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Boston, MA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea doctor near Dallas, TX
Obstructive Sleep Apnea 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 Obstructive Sleep Apnea 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 Obstructive Sleep Apnea 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 Obstructive Sleep Apnea 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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