Sleep Medicine Experts

According to research from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, each year around 40 million Americans suffer from recurring long-term sleep disorders. At NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, our team of talented and highly acclaimed sleep doctors and sleep specialists can get you the help you need. Don’t spend another night tossing and turning. You deserve better and we believe in making sure you get it. By providing the highest level of quality treatment and care our Dulles based team has helped countless individuals improve their quality of life. If you find yourself having trouble sleeping, or wake up feeling exhausted no matter how many hours you get in bed, give us a call today at 571-367-0000 or book an appointment below.

Our board certified physicians offer some of the best care in Loudoun County
We partner with top rated Stone Springs Hospital Center in Dulles, VA for pulmonary consultations.
An affordable solution, accepting all insurance. We do not refuse treatment for any patient.
Highly rated by patients across the Northern Virginia region.
Close proximity to nearby Dulles International Airport (IAD)

What is a Sleep Doctor?

It’s not uncommon for patients to come into our Dulles sleep clinic without a clear understanding of what a sleep doctor is and what they do. A Sleep doctor is a healthcare professional specializing in issues including sleep disorders, sleep health and other related conditions. Sleep doctors may be either MDs (medical doctors) or a psychologist, with each addressing very different yet just as important and relevant issues that may be contributing to a particular sleep disorder.

Additional Specialization and Training

Other common areas doctors may have additional training in include: pulmonary medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, otorhinolaryngology and pediatrics.

Psychologists specializing in sleep disorders, on the other hand, often have training in cognitive behavioral therapy, PTSD, clinical depression, severe anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions that may contribute to sleep disorders.

A few Sleep Disorders we Treat

Sleep Apnea

Insomnia

Narcolepsy

Restless leg syndrome

Excessive Sleep Syndrome

Circadian rhythm disorders

Periodic leg movement disorder

Snoring

Other Sleep Disorders

Should you See a Sleep Doctor?

Sleep disorders can manifest in various ways and can significantly impact your overall well-being. While only a primary care physician can refer you to a sleep specialist, there are signs you can look out for that may indicate you should make an appointment with your family physician to discuss your options.

Signs you may need to see a sleep doctor:

You are regularly sleepy during daytime hours
You toss and turn all night in bed, difficulty falling asleep
Gasping and choking during sleep
A partner has told you that you have pauses in breathing when asleep
You often wake up feeling exhausted despite adequate hours of sleep
You regularly feel sleep deprived
Frequent headaches
Mood changes
Difficulty controlling emotions

If any of the above apply to you, we suggest you discuss these symptoms with your doctor, give us a call or stop by our conveniently located Dulles, VA office today to learn more.

How Does a Sleep Doctor Diagnose Sleep Disorders?

How a particular sleep disorder is diagnosed is based largely on the symptoms you experience. In the event that a sleep disorder is suspected, our Dulles sleep doctors will utilize a range of information and diagnostic medical tools in order to uncover any potential conditions present.

Items your Sleep Doctor will Evaluate May Include:

Detailed Medical History – Questions are the first step to answers. Your sleep doctor will ask key questions relevant to your health and particular symptoms in order to guide their next steps.
History of Medications – Many medications can cause issues related to sleep. As such, a review of your past and current use of medications is vital.
Physical Exam – A thorough physical exam is a quick, simple and revealing tool your doctor can use to identify issues such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal congestion, narrowed airway, enlarged tonsils and more.
Sleep Diary – Over the course of a 1-2 week period your sleep doctor may ask you to record relevant information about how often, how well and for how long you sleep.
Sleep Study – Sleep studies are non-invasive (no needles or poking and prodding) and are both painless and simple to carry out, making them great diagnostic tools to uncover potential sleep disorders.

Types of Sleep Studies

Polysomnogram – “in laboratory” sleep study that measures vital data such as oxygen levels, respiratory events, heart rate, muscle tone, brain waves, body position, and more.
Split-Night Test – with this test, half of the night is used to identify the issue and the other half spent on finding the best treatment option.
Home Sleep Study – this study is conducted at home and uses fewer sensors, making it more comfortable and convenient, yet less accurate.

Other Tests your Sleep Doctor May Request

Lab tests
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
Actigraphy

Get the Sleep you Have Always Dreamed of and Feel Refreshed and Ready to Seize the Day

At NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, our team of sleep specialists are ready to learn more about how they can help you improve your quality of life through better sleep. We are a dedicated and passionate team that cares about making sure you wake refreshed and ready to take on all of life’s challenges.

What is a Sleep Study?

If you are struggling with sleep or tired during the day that is the first symptom of a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders are a medical condition that can affect sleep patterns at night. Many sleep disorders are adverse to your overall health and general well being. The best way to diagnose a sleep disorder is to have a sleep study. But what is a sleep study? How is it performed? What can it tell you to improve your rest? Here we walk you through all of the important things you need to know about sleep disorders, diagnosis, and treatments.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

If you’re reading this, chances are you already suspect something is wrong with your sleep. Have you documented your symptoms and what may be causing your sleep issues? Most people recognize the symptoms during the day (tiredness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, etc.), but may not be able to pinpoint what is happening at night that could be symptoms of a sleep disorder.

One of the best ways to find out what may be happening before a sleep study is to as your partner. Ask if you snore, move fitfully, if you stop breathing and resume with loud gasps or snorts, or any other sleep pattern that seems unusual. Knowing what happens during sleep helps your provider determine the right sleep study and testing for you.

In addition, starting a sleep diary with bedtimes, how long to fall asleep, hours slept, night wakings, grogginess in the morning, day tiredness, and medication, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages consumed during the day. A diary will help you discuss your sleep symptoms with your doctor.

Talk with a Pulmonary and Sleep Specialist

When you’re ready to discuss your sleep issues, you’ll want to discuss your symptoms with a pulmonary and sleep specialist or ask for a referral from your primary care doctor. Bring and documentation regarding your sleep patterns and issues to these appointments. Depending on the symptoms, your doctor can help decide if a sleep study is right for you.

Scheduling a Sleep Study

Previously, you would have to look for a sleep clinic that is close to your home or work and stay overnight. Special technology in our office allows you to take most sleep studies home with you! That is a big advantage because you don’t have to stay overnight at a hospital. The testing is also more accurate of what is going on in your home environment.

At our office you pick up your machine and fill out the paperwork ahead of time. We discuss with you the procedures so that you feel comfortable with all of the equipment.

What are the Different Kinds of Sleep Studies?

So what are the different kinds of sleep studies? Depending on the suspected disorder, your symptoms and insurance coverage, your doctor will recommend the sleep study for you.

There are four types of sleep studies:

Polysomnogram (PSG). An overnight sleep study that measures a large variety of information including brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, blood pressure, body movements and more. PSGs are the go-to sleep study for almost all sleep disorders including sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleep related movement disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, hypersomnia, insomnia, and many more.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). A MSLT is a sleep study during the day to measure how sleepy you get or to discern whether breathing treatments for your disorder are working properly. MSLT’s follow a polysomnogram and record whether you fall asleep during the test, and if so, which stages of sleep you enter. During a MSLT you are generally given five 20-minute nap opportunities spaced 2 hours apart while a sleep technician monitors your brain activity and eye movements. A MSLT is used to test for narcolepsy.
Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT). A MWT is a daytime sleep study that measures how alert you are during the day and your ability to stay awake. They are usually performed after a PSG and can help determine if your sleepiness is a safety concern. Results of an MWT can be critical if a person’s job involves public transportation or driving for work.
Home Sleep Test. For a home sleep test you show up to the clinic during the day and receive a small device with instructions on how to use it. If moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is the most likely cause of your sleep troubles this is an easy test to diagnose the condition.

Interpreting Sleep Study Results

It will usually take about a week for the doctor to analyze your results. Based on the findings your doctor will determine the sleep disorder and treatment for your disorder.

If sleep apnea is diagonsed, you may need a second sleep study called a CPAP titration. This study uses the same at-home equipment. However, this time the device will determine the positive airway pressure (CPAP) needed while sleeping to eliminate your apnea. Sometimes this study can be done during the first test if apnea has been previously diagnosed.

Determining the Right Sleep Treatment

The treatments depend upon the sleep disorder and the severity of the disorder from the sleep study. With sleep apnea you may either be prescribed a CPAP device, get referred to a dentist for a specially designed oral device. In addition, there are alternative treatments available.

For other disorders such as circadian rhythm disorders and insomnia, often cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended with a clinical psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist.

Other sleep disorders may be treated with medication, lifestyle changes, treating another medical condition that may be causing it, or a combination of treatment types. As there are a variety of sleep disorders, there is also a range of treatment options. Its important to go to a pulmonologist and sleep specialist to determine the best treatments for you.

Read more about Dr. Aditya Dubey and Pulmonary Treatment out of his office near Dulles Airport and Stone Springs Hospital in Sterling Virginia.

Questions? Contact NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, LLC

Meet the team at NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates

Dr. Aditya N Dubey, M.D, F.C.C.P. – Founder

Specialty:
Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine in the Subspecialities of Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Learn more about Dr. Dubey

Dr. Petra Thomas, M.D.

Specialty:
Pulmonary Medicine
Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine in the Subspecialities of Pulmonary Medicine. Learn more about Dr. Thomas

Dr. Arman Murabia, M.D.

Specialty:
Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine in the Subspecialities of Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Learn more about Dr. Murabia