My husband snores, and he wants to get it looked at. We’re just not sure which type of doctor to call for it. He doesn’t have a GP per se, though he gets an annual physical from the company’s doctor, so we know he’s in overall good health. Should he get a GP to see specifically for this issue? Or a otonasolaryngologist (sp?), since it’s likely a problem with the nose/throat? Or a sleep specialist? It’s hard enough getting him to admit he needs to see a doctor for this at all… but since he’s feeling fatigue during the daytime, and he’s snoring, he needs to go. If an ENT doc or a sleep doc is the SOP in a situation like this, then we’d rather start there than putting in the extra step of getting a new GP (though I realize he probably should have one anyway, that another issue).
Sleep specialist (usually Pulmonologist background) to diagnose the problem.
ENT (Otorhinolaryngologist) with experience in surgical management if that is a route you want to explore.
I went to an ear nose and throat (Otorhinolaryngologist) doc for snoring, and he recommended snore strips. They worked for a while then the snoring came back…I ended up losing 25 pounds and that took the majority of my snoring away. For a ton more info see here .
Seconding the sleep specialist. They are the people who will figure out what the deal is, probably through a sleep study.
Good luck!
I think you’d be better off starting with a primary care doc (that is, a GP). He can determine if a sleep study is appropriate and order one if it is.
If your area is anything like mine, it is best to start with a referral from a GP or perhaps from an ear nose and throat doctor if your insurance allows you to make appointments with a specialist directly. The ear, nose, and throat doctor will probably take a look at see if tonsils are enlarged, if there is a deviated septum, or anything else abnormal. There is always the possibilty of sleep apnea being the primary cause of snoring and they may want to investigate this because sleep anea is a serious health issue over the long-term.
If he needs a sleep study, a referral is usually required by another doctor. Lots off people get them and here in the Boston area, there is actually a chain called Sleep Health Centers that is very good. I have had two sleep studies myself. One was in a sleep lab in a hospital and that sucked. The one at the Sleep Health Center was much better. It was like being in a hotel room with the biggest difference having dozens of wires glued all over my body.
I’m not claiming to have massive experience in this area, but every person I know (at least half a dozen) who has had a sleep study got referred to a sleep specialist first, FWIW.
I’m a generalist (FP). I generally order the sleep study myself when I feel it’s indicated. And if it is positive, I’ll order CPAP. And I’ve done so for at least a hundred patients, perhaps more.
The not-so-clear-cut cases get referred to the specialist by me, generally.
What they said… I am on CPAP now and it works. I feel the ‘nose mask’ set up over the ‘full face mask’ is better. YMMV
Of course you have to use it…
For what it is worth, my GP referred me to a ENT who refererred me to a sleep specialist. I detailed what went on in my sleep studyhere.
It depends on your insurance scheme. In most cases, I think, it’s possible to skip the GP and go straight to an ENT (otorhinolaryngologist). Get a recommendation for a good one though.
Either the GP or the ENT will set you up with a sleep specialist. You don’t have to look for one yourself.
My FP sent me to a sleep specialist, who did a sleep study, set me up w/ a CPAP, and referred me to an ENT to diagnose a possible deviated septum. Unfortunately the septoplasty didn’t really work, but the CPAP has been a Godsend.
Also, take your insurance into account – some carriers require you to get a referral from your PCP before you see a specialist.
Only downside to my CPAP machine? I have to schlep it through airports incessantly.
An E.N.T. did my work. Sent me to a sleep study for two studies.
I dunno. Some days I’m still tired but I am no longer catatonic. I think. 
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