Sleep Doctors: Our Sleep Specialist Services
Sleep is important for everyone, with many health benefits including:
- Restoring the body
- Aiding brain functions such as attention, memory and learning
- Helping the immune system, heart and blood vessels
- Controlling appetite and weight
No matter what the reason, if you find that you are not getting the sleep you need, it is important that you consult a specialist. At Manse Medical, we have experienced sleep doctors that will help you get the sleep you need to be the best you that you can be.
What does a sleep doctor do?
A sleep doctor, also known as a sleep specialist, diagnoses sleep disorders by assessing their patients. At first, sleep doctors will try to determine the likely sleep disorders based on the symptoms displayed by the patient. Then, for further clarification, the doctor will conduct a series of comprehensive tests that further elaborate on what disorder could be affecting the patient. Once the patient has been monitored, and sleep disorders have been successfully identified, a sleep specialist will then recommend solutions and aid the patient in treating their condition.
What conditions can a sleep doctor diagnose?
A sleep doctor can diagnose a wide range of sleep disorders that affect the general population, including:
- Snoring, in which a partial airway obstruction causes the soft tissue at the back of the throat to vibrate as we breathe
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, is a serious disorder in which breathing during sleep is regularly interrupted due to a collapse of the airway at the back of the throat
- Central Sleep Apnea, is similar to obstructive sleep apnea, except the interruptions in breathing is caused by a lack of respiratory effort from the brain instead of a physical blockage
- Restless Legs Syndrome, is a neurological condition that causes restlessness and tingling sensations in the legs when relaxed
- Narcolepsy, is a sleep disorder that is characterised by extreme excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, audio and visual sleep hallucinations and sometimes cataplexy
- Bruxism, the medical term for the clenching and grinding of teeth during sleep
- Insomnia, is a sleep disorder that is characterised by difficulty either falling asleep or maintaining sleep
- Parasomnias are numerous atypical events that occur during sleep, such as:
- Night Terrors, partial arousals from deep sleep, characterised by sitting up in bed with an expression of fright, panic, screaming and often being inconsolable
- Sleep Walking, in which a person conducts complex behaviours such as walking, eating or driving while fast asleep
- Confusion arousals, which result from incomplete or partial awakening from sleep causing confusion, slow thought process, disorientation to time and place and atypical responses to stimulus
- REM-sleep behaviour disorder, which occurs when vivid dreams are acted out while asleep
What kinds of tests can a sleep doctor conduct?
The sleep doctors at Manse Medical conduct a wide variety of tests in order to diagnose sleeping disorders. These tests are provided in two variations:
- Attended Level 1 Sleep Studies, in which the patient stays overnight in a sleep clinic or hospital (sleep tests are not conducted at our clinic), where trained Sleep Technologists will record and analyse their sleep. Attended sleep studies also allow therapy implementation under the guidance of trained staff, which is the gold standard practice for patients requiring Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
- Level 2 Home Sleep Tests, in which the patient is monitored in their home, measuring their EEG, EOG, EMG, leg movements, effort of breathing, nasal airflow, snoring, ECG and oxygen levels.
How do I access a sleep doctor?
If you are looking for a sleep doctor, your best bet is to get a referral from your general practitioner. From our website, you can find a referral form for your GP to fill out. Once you have gotten your referral, book an appointment at one of our centres and we will connect you to a sleep doctor as soon as possible.
Where should I go for sleep doctors?
Manse Medical is the premier respiratory and sleep medical centre in Melbourne, Western Victoria, as well as South-East South Australia. We aim to provide the highest level of care for patients with respiratory and sleep disorders throughout Melbourne.
Our experienced team of sleep doctors will help you get the best sleep possible. Book your appointment online by selecting your preferred centre and then choose from the list of our available specialists.