Looking for a doctor for snoring in Melbourne? Loud, regular snoring is worth checking, because it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep and Lung Care\u2019s sleep physicians assess snoring in adults at five clinics across Melbourne and Victoria, and arrange a sleep study when one is needed.<\/p>
Our sleep physicians are specialist physicians with advanced training in sleep medicine. They are also respiratory physicians, so breathing and lung problems that affect sleep are looked at too. First appointments are in person; follow-up appointments can be by video where clinically appropriate.<\/p>
Upload your referral<\/a> GPs: refer a patient<\/a> Take the sleep apnoea questionnaire<\/a> <\/p> Many people snore from time to time. It is worth asking your GP about a referral if you have any of these:<\/p> Feeling drowsy while driving is a reason to see your GP promptly. Not sure how your symptoms add up? Take the three-minute sleep apnoea questionnaire<\/a>.<\/p> Snoring is the sound of soft tissues in the throat vibrating as air passes through a narrowed airway during sleep. Many people who snore have no other problems.<\/p> In obstructive sleep apnoea, the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Breathing becomes shallow or stops for short periods, sleep is broken, and the person often wakes unrefreshed. Loud snoring is a common sign, but snoring alone cannot show which one you have. A sleep study is the way to find out.<\/p> Snoring and sleep apnoea are more likely with excess weight, a large neck, alcohol or sedative medicines in the evening, a blocked nose, sleeping on your back and increasing age. Read about obstructive sleep apnoea<\/a>.<\/p> Your first appointment is in person and usually takes about 40 minutes. Your sleep physician asks about your snoring, your sleep and how you feel during the day, reviews your health and medicines, and examines you. A bed partner can often describe things you are not aware of, so it helps to ask them what they notice at night.<\/p> Please bring your referral, a list of your medicines and any previous sleep study reports. Your physician then explains whether you need a sleep study, which type suits you and what happens next. We write to your GP after the appointment, usually within two weeks.<\/p> Meet our sleep physicians<\/a><\/p> Many people can have their sleep study at home. A sleep scientist fits the equipment at one of our clinics, which takes about 45 minutes, and you then go home and sleep in your own bed. At least 16 sensors record your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, brain activity, eye movements and leg movements through the night, and you return the equipment by 11:00 am the next business day.<\/p> Eligible home-based sleep studies are bulk billed with a valid referral, and one of our sleep physicians reports the study to your referring doctor in about two weeks. Your GP can refer you straight to a bulk billed home sleep study if your questionnaire scores meet the Medicare criteria: an Epworth score of 8 or more, plus either an OSA-50 score of 5 or more or a STOP-Bang score of 3 or more.<\/p> Some people need an overnight study in hospital instead, which your physician arranges for more complex cases. Compare home and hospital sleep studies<\/a>.<\/p> Treatment depends on whether the study shows sleep apnoea, how severe it is and what suits you. Not everyone who snores, or even everyone with sleep apnoea, needs a CPAP machine. Options your sleep physician may recommend include:<\/p> Your physician recommends the treatment that fits your results and follows you up to check how well it is working. Read about CPAP alternatives and oral appliances<\/a>.<\/p> Snoring assessments and home sleep study set-ups are available at all five of our clinics. Reception hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.<\/p> All five clinics have on-site parking and wheelchair access. Find clinic addresses, parking and access information<\/a>.<\/p> Ask your GP for a referral to Sleep and Lung Care. You can upload the referral online, or your GP can send it to us through HealthLink (SALCCARE), by fax or by email. Reception phones you within two business days to book an appointment at the clinic that suits you.<\/p> New appointments are usually available within about 3 weeks; urgent cases are seen sooner. Lung function tests and eligible home-based sleep studies are bulk billed with a valid referral. Consultation fees and any hospital-based sleep study charges are separate; reception will explain the applicable fees before booking.<\/p> Questions before you book? Phone reception on (03) 9422 0077<\/a>.<\/p>When to see a doctor about snoring<\/h2>
Snoring or sleep apnoea?<\/h2>
How we assess snoring<\/h2>
Sleep studies for snoring<\/h2>
Treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea<\/h2>
Snoring clinics across Melbourne and Victoria<\/h2>
How to see a doctor for snoring<\/h2>