Why do neurologists handle obstructive sleep apnea after diagnosis?
December 20th, 2012
It seems odd to me that neurologists have anything to do with obstructive sleep apnea once it has been diagnosed. After all, if the disorder is all about a collapsed or blocked airway, shouldn’t it be addressed by an ear, nose and throat doctor? Or maybe a cardiologist? The neurologists I’ve had to deal with following my diagnosis have seemed a little out of sorts to be dealing with "breathing problems."
If you’re positive the diagnosis is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and not central sleep apnea (CSA) or mixed apnea, then it gets closer to sleep or pulmonary medicine (unless your neurologist is also a sleep doctor). The more likely scenario is he suspects some central apnea is involved as this is neurological. You can ask your neurologist if he has other or differential diagnoses.