Dr. Alexandre Abreu, MD

Dr. Alexandre Abreu, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As your general Sleep Medicine physician, you'll find him to be your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. He creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. Dr. Abreu serves all ages and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (305) 326-6000 to schedule.

Dr. Alexandre Abreu, MD is a pulmonologist in Miami, FL, with extensive experience in Sleep Apnea. He is affiliated with Jackson Memorial Hospital, accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. He earned his medical degree from Fundacao Universidade Regional De Blumenau (Furb), Centro De Ciencias Da Saude, and is Board Certified in Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Abreu's approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is fluent in Portuguese and also offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alexandre Abreu is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alexandre Abreu can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alexandre Abreu provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Chronic Sinusitis: Addressing chronic sinusitis can significantly improve your sleep quality by reducing nasal congestion and discomfort, allowing for more restful and restorative sleep.
• Primary Insomnia: Experiencing persistent difficulty sleeping? Untreated primary insomnia can lead to serious health issues, highlighting the importance of seeking help to manage it and prevent future complications.
• Narcolepsy: Preventing the long-term health effects of narcolepsy, such as mood disorders and impaired cognitive function, starts with recognizing its symptoms and seeking timely medical attention.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): COPD, a chronic lung disease, can worsen sleep apnea and disrupt your sleep, highlighting the importance of early detection and management to protect your respiratory and sleep health.
• Psychophysiologic Insomnia: If your inability to sleep stems from learned anxiety around sleep itself (psychophysiologic insomnia), early intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can prevent serious health issues down the road.
• Sleep Apnea: By addressing sleep apnea, you can improve your cardiovascular health, boost your energy levels, and greatly reduce your chances of developing other chronic illnesses linked to sleep deprivation.
• Acute Insomnia: Experiencing a few nights of trouble sleeping? Addressing acute insomnia early can help you avoid developing long-term sleep problems and their associated health risks.
• Primary Central Sleep Apnea: Preventing long-term health risks associated with primary central sleep apnea starts with understanding its impact on your breathing while you sleep; timely medical attention can help manage this condition and improve your overall health.
• Wheezing: Wheezing, a whistling sound during breathing, can be a sign of underlying respiratory issues that may disrupt your sleep and worsen over time if left unaddressed, highlighting the importance of early medical evaluation for preventive care.
• Sleep Related Hypoxemia: Sleep-related hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen during sleep, can seriously impact your health over time, so early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term complications like heart disease.
• Chronic Bronchiolitis: Early diagnosis of chronic bronchiolitis is key to slowing disease progression and preventing further damage, improving your quality of life and overall health.
• Insomnia: Don't let insomnia disrupt your life – early detection and management can help improve your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alexandre Abreu offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Bronchoscopy: For a thorough evaluation of your sleep problems, a bronchoscopy can be used to pinpoint any airway issues that may be responsible for snoring, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP is a comfortable mask that delivers a steady stream of air, preventing sleep apnea and lowering your risk of serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services: Ensure your lungs are working optimally for a good night's sleep – pulmonary rehabilitation is a valuable assessment to detect and manage potential respiratory problems.
• Respiratory Management: Protecting your lungs and heart starts with understanding your breathing patterns during sleep; respiratory management helps pinpoint and address potential problems.
• Sleep Study: Don't let sleep problems go unchecked – a sleep study can pinpoint the root cause of your sleep disturbances, preventing potential health risks and improving your daytime energy.
• Diet Counseling: Early intervention is key: Diet counseling helps assess the link between nutrition and sleep disorders, allowing for timely intervention and improved sleep health.
• Group Psychotherapy: Group therapy offers a safe space to explore the emotional impact of sleep disorders and develop strategies to improve your sleep quality, proactively preventing the long-term complications of sleep deprivation.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Alexandre Abreu is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By addressing potential triggers and implementing a proactive sleep hygiene routine, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and severity of their chronic sinusitis symptoms, leading to improved sleep quality and overall well-being.
• By addressing their sleep difficulties proactively, a patient reduced their risk of developing further health concerns and gained a renewed sense of well-being. This proactive approach allowed them to confidently focus on their overall health and daily life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Alexandre Abreu:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has undergone additional fellowship training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Often coming from backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to finding the root cause of your sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is a critical step in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

During a sleep study, or polysomnogram, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea in children is common, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Early diagnosis is crucial, as untreated sleep apnea can impact a child's growth, learning, and behavior. Fortunately, treatment is a key step in preventing these developmental issues.

What is the difference between a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab study?

A home sleep apnea test is a simpler screening tool for straightforward obstructive sleep apnea. An in-lab study is a more comprehensive test needed for complex cases or to diagnose other sleep disorders like narcolepsy or parasomnias.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. It uses a machine to deliver gentle, continuous air pressure through a mask, keeping your airway open during sleep. This prevents breathing pauses, restoring healthy sleep and protecting your heart.

How does an Otolaryngologist (ENT) help with sleep problems?

An ENT, or otolaryngologist, is a surgeon specializing in the ear, nose, and throat. They can identify and surgically correct physical blockages like a deviated septum or large tonsils that can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes providing a permanent solution.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our practice emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a program that retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing thoughts and behaviors that disrupt it. CBT-I is often the most effective long-term solution.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
900 NW 17th St
Miami FL 33136
Phone: (305) 326-6000

Dr. Alexandre Abreu, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1497710099

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Alexandre Abreu are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.