Finding The Right Doctor For Your Rem Sleep Disorder

Sleep is divided into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). A person cycles through these stages 4-5 times every night. REM sleep is associated with dreaming, while NREM sleep is further divided into three stages, the third being the deepest and most crucial for tissue repair and growth, immune system strengthening, and hormone release. If you're experiencing a lack of REM sleep, you should consider consulting a sleep medicine doctor, also known as a sleep medicine specialist or sleep specialist. Sleep specialists have undergone special training and testing to diagnose and treat all sleep-related disorders, including REM sleep behaviour disorder.

Sleep specialists

Sleep medicine is a subspecialty of several medical specialties, including anesthesiology, family medicine, internal medicine, otolaryngology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and neurology. A sleep medicine doctor typically evaluates a patient's medical history and sleep symptoms, performs a physical exam, and orders and interprets sleep studies, such as polysomnograms, sleep latency tests, and maintenance of wakefulness tests. They diagnose and treat sleep disturbances, including lack of sleep, excessive sleepiness, and circadian rhythm problems. They may prescribe medications and recommend or provide cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and sleep hygiene therapy.

If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, you should consider consulting a sleep medicine doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment options. Symptoms that may indicate the need to see a sleep specialist include snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping for breath during sleep, daytime tiredness that interferes with daily activities, strange sensations in the legs that improve with movement, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and sleepiness or fatigue that lasts for more than two weeks without relief.

To locate a sleep specialist, you can start by consulting your primary care doctor, who may provide referrals or recommendations. You can also contact your insurance provider for a list of covered specialists in your area. Online searches using keywords such as "sleep specialist" and your location can help you find specialists near you. Additionally, reaching out to friends and family for personal referrals or contacting local hospitals and sleep disorder networks can be helpful.

Primary care doctors

If you are experiencing symptoms of a sleep disorder, such as REM sleep behaviour disorder, your primary care doctor is a good place to start. This could be a family medicine physician, an internist, a general practitioner, or a geriatrician. They will be able to evaluate your symptoms and, depending on the case, either take steps to diagnose and treat you or refer you to a specialist.

If you are unsure about how to talk to your primary care doctor about your health, it can help to make a list of any changes you have made that are relevant to your sleep. For example, you could note any changes to your exercise routine, sleep hygiene (such as blocking out light or sound), or your mattress and pillows. It can also be helpful to track your sleep symptoms for a few weeks before your appointment, so you have a record of your symptoms to share with your doctor.

If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, your primary care doctor may refer you to a sleep medicine doctor, also known as a sleep specialist or sleep medicine specialist. Sleep medicine doctors specialise in preventing, diagnosing, and treating sleep and circadian rhythm disorders, including REM sleep behaviour disorder. They can evaluate your medical history and sleep symptoms, perform physical exams, and order and interpret sleep studies.

Ear, nose and throat doctors

Otolaryngologists can perform examinations using specialized equipment to diagnose disorders and diseases of the head and neck. They may also order additional tests such as bloodwork, sleep studies, or swallow studies. They are both doctors and surgeons, so they can prescribe medication or perform procedures and surgeries.

If you are experiencing sleep issues, your primary care doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist or another specialist, such as a sleep specialist or sleep centre. Sleep centres use testing to monitor your body while you sleep, helping sleep specialists gather enough information to make a diagnosis.

If you are experiencing REM sleep disruption, it may be due to sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that interrupts the sleep cycle and prevents individuals from reaching or maintaining REM sleep. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy has been effective in treating sleep apnea and helping individuals achieve more REM sleep.

Psychiatrists or other mental health professionals

Sleep is essential for health and well-being. It occurs in stages, including non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). NREM is further divided into three stages, and the deepest stage of sleep, N3, is when the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system.

REM sleep is associated with dreaming, and experts believe that dreaming helps process emotions. While there is no official agreement on how much REM sleep is needed, it usually takes up about 25% of total sleep time for most adults.

If you are experiencing sleep problems, you may want to consult a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. These professionals can help you manage the effects of poor sleep on your mental health. They can also assist in creating a plan to address factors that may be contributing to your sleep issues, such as weight loss, sleeping position adjustments, and smoking cessation.

Sleep psychologists often use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help reduce unhelpful thoughts about sleep and increase sleep-supporting behaviors. Sleep psychiatrists may also use CBT and prescribe medication if other behavioral interventions have been unsuccessful.

If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, it is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Dentists

While it is not explicitly stated that dentists treat REM sleep disorders, they can help with sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea. Dentists can help by fitting patients with a special dental device that moves the jaw forward, making breathing easier. Usually, a dentist will work with a board-certified sleep specialist to manage a patient's care. The doctor will oversee the treatment, while the dentist will make changes to the oral device as needed.

If you are experiencing REM sleep issues, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. If you have a bed partner or housemate, your provider will likely want to ask them questions about your sleeping behaviour. Your provider will also perform a physical and neurological exam. They may refer you to a sleep specialist.

Frequently asked questions