Most people with obstructive sleep apnea visit their primary care physician — an internist, family doctor general practitioner, or possibly a geriatrician if they’re older. They may also see a specialist like an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor), or a dentist who has special training in treating sleep problems such as snoring and sleep apnea doctor.

When to See a Sleep Apnea Doctor: Getting Professional Help

These doctors will look at the person’s medical history and do a physical exam. They can also test for enlarged tissue in the mouth, nose and throat that might narrow the airway and cause snoring or episodes of paused breathing during sleep. They’ll also examine the person’s neck and head for a crooked or narrowed nasal passage or palate and uvula that might predispose to obstructive sleep apnea.

If a person’s obstructive sleep apnea is caused by their brain failing to send proper signals to the throat muscles, they’ll need a neurology exam. People with neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, myotonic dystrophy, ALS and MS often have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

A pulmonologist is an expert in the lungs and may recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help a person breathe easier at night. They can also treat lung conditions that might contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, a surgeon may create a surgical opening in the neck called a tracheostomy, through which a plastic tube passes for breathing.