Sleep deprivation and insomnia are much more serious than many people believe. Not getting enough sleep will affect your mental, emotional, and physical health.
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, it may have something to do with your lungs and/or breathing habits.
If you want to find a long-term solution that allows you to have a restful, complete sleep every night, there are two specialists that you will want to meet: a pulmonologist and a sleep specialist.
What Is a Pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is a specialized physician who focuses on the health of a person’s respiratory system, especially the lungs. The respiratory system comprises all of the organs that help you breathe, starting with your nose at the top and going all the way down to your diaphragm, which contracts downward while breathing to allow room for your lungs to expand.
Pulmonologists have expertise in respiratory disorders such as infections, inflammation, and cancer. They are also able to help treat structural and autoimmune issues involving the respiratory system.
Some pulmonologists specialize in treating certain conditions regarding the heart, such as pulmonary vascular disease, because it can first affect the respiratory system but go on to affect other organs in the body.
Pulmonologists treat everything from asthma to tuberculosis. When paired with a neurologist, they can work wonders for sleep disorders or improving a person’s breathing.
What Is Sleep Medicine?
Sleep medicine focuses on sleep disorders and sleep-related conditions, and is a subspecialty within several medical specialties – including neurology, pulmonology, internal medicine, and psychiatry.
Getting deep sleep on a daily basis is important for good health. If you have trouble sleeping, your quality of life can suffer; over time, your lack of sleep can lead to certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy, asthma, and heart disease.
How They Can Work Together to Help You Sleep Better
While a good night’s sleep is vital for adults and children, many don’t get enough sleep. This problem can be due to pulmonary or respiratory issues like asthma, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea, which can interrupt normal sleep patterns and compromise your health.
A long-term condition that also affects sleep is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This lung disease can cause swelling of the large airways in the lungs, obstructing the airflow. It can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. This can make deep sleep extremely difficult to achieve.
Your pulmonologist and neurologist can work together to create a treatment plan that will help you achieve a deep sleep, and help to naturalize your breathing to help you stay rested, healthy, and energized.
Contact Our Pulmonologist Today
If you or someone you love may be at risk of developing COPD, is having trouble sleeping, or is experiencing breathing problems, seek medical attention as soon as possible. We are ready to help you.
Call our friendly and experienced staff at Intercoastal Medical Group today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Sarasota or Bradenton, or fill out our simple online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy a good night’s sleep so you can wake up well-rested for a wonderful new day.
