If you’re constantly feeling tired, waking up gasping for air, or getting complaints about your snoring, you might be dealing with sleep apnea. But identifying the condition and managing it isn’t a one-person job. Treating sleep apnea usually involves a team of medical professionals, each bringing their unique expertise to help you sleep—and breathe—better.
Let’s take a closer look at the specialists who might play a role in your sleep apnea care journey and what each one can offer.
The First Stop: Your Primary Care Doctor
Your primary care provider (PCP) is often the first point of contact when you start noticing sleep-related symptoms. Whether you’re experiencing daytime fatigue, snoring, or nighttime awakenings, your PCP will take a detailed history and evaluate your symptoms. If they suspect sleep apnea, they can guide you toward the next steps—typically referring you to a sleep specialist for further testing and diagnosis.
In some cases, your insurance may require this referral before you can see a specialist, so it’s a helpful first move.
Sleep Specialists: The Experts in Restful Nights
Once you’re referred, a sleep specialist becomes your go-to for in-depth diagnosis and treatment planning. These doctors are trained in sleep medicine, often coming from backgrounds like internal medicine, pulmonology (lungs), neurology, otolaryngology (ENT), or psychiatry. After their general training, they receive further certification in sleep disorders from the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM).
A sleep specialist will likely recommend a sleep study to monitor your breathing during sleep. These days, many people can complete this test at home using a portable device—though in some cases, an overnight stay in a sleep lab may be necessary for a more detailed analysis.
Depending on your diagnosis and specific needs, your sleep specialist may refer you to one (or more) of the following:
Key Specialists Who May Join Your Sleep Apnea Care Team
1. Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (Otolaryngologist)
If your sleep apnea is caused by a physical blockage—think swollen tonsils, a deviated septum, or excess tissue in the throat—an ENT doctor is your expert. They examine the structural anatomy of your airways and may recommend treatments ranging from nasal sprays to surgery.
2. Neurologist
For those diagnosed with central sleep apnea, where the brain fails to send proper breathing signals
