Dr. Anthony Ackerman, MD

Dr. Anthony Ackerman, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Gainesville, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders, creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (352) 374-2222 to schedule.

Dr. Anthony Ackerman, MD is a neurologist in Gainesville, FL, with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College Of Human Medicine in 2003 and is affiliated with HCA Florida North Florida Hospital and UF Health Shands Hospital. With his wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a strong foundation in Sleep Medicine care to his patients and their families. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Ackerman's practice is rooted in the Southeastern Integrated Medical (SIMED) philosophy, where respect, fairness, trust, and excellence guide patient care. He provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Anthony Ackerman 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. Anthony Ackerman 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. Anthony Ackerman 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 Cluster Headache: Managing chronic cluster headaches is essential for preventing the negative impact on your daily life, including sleep disturbances and reduced productivity, which highlights the importance of proactive healthcare.
• Aural Migraine: Since aural migraine can disrupt sleep and affect your overall well-being, early intervention is key to preventing further health issues.
• Primary Central Sleep Apnea: Don't ignore the signs of primary central sleep apnea; addressing this disorder, where your brain doesn't consistently signal your breathing, is key for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Pseudobulbar Affect: Pseudobulbar affect can significantly affect your daily life and relationships; proactive management through medical intervention can help prevent long-term emotional and social difficulties.
• Spinal Demyelination: Protecting the myelin sheath around your spinal cord's nerves is crucial; early diagnosis and management of spinal demyelination can slow its progression and help avoid significant disability.
• Concussion: Preventing serious complications from a concussion includes monitoring for sleep disturbances, as changes in sleep can signal ongoing brain injury and the need for further medical attention.
• 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.
• Cluster Headache: Preventing the debilitating effects of cluster headaches involves understanding your triggers and seeking prompt medical attention for effective treatment and improved sleep quality.
• Sleep Disorders: Sleep disorders often have underlying causes that can be addressed, protecting you from the long-term risks of untreated sleep problems.
• Vascular Dementia: Vascular dementia can be prevented or its progression slowed by addressing underlying conditions like high cholesterol and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of regular health screenings.
• Cerebral Palsy: While not a sleep disorder, cerebral palsy's impact on motor function and muscle tone can disrupt sleep. Early intervention and ongoing care are key to managing sleep problems and ensuring optimal development.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): While MS itself isn't a sleep disorder, its symptoms can severely affect sleep, underscoring the importance of seeking medical attention for early intervention and sleep-focused support.

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. Anthony Ackerman offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test: Take a proactive step towards better sleep by undergoing a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test, which helps identify hearing problems that might be contributing to your sleep disturbances.
• Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation: Proactively address your sleep difficulties by having a deep brain stimulation evaluation; it could be the key to unlocking better sleep and improved quality of life.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): An EEG is a key diagnostic tool to uncover the underlying causes of your sleep difficulties, paving the way for effective treatment and improved sleep quality.
• Evoked Potential Test: This simple test measures your brain's response to various signals, which assists in ruling out neurological conditions and identifying if they're affecting your sleep patterns and overall well-being.
• Home Sleep Study: A home sleep study is a comfortable and convenient way to screen for sleep apnea and other conditions, allowing for timely intervention and preventing long-term complications.
• ImPACT Testing: Protect your sleep quality and cognitive function by getting ImPACT testing, which screens for the effects of head injuries that can disrupt your sleep patterns.
• Memory Evaluation: By assessing your memory, we can identify any connections to sleep disorders and develop a personalized plan to improve your sleep quality and memory function.
• Quantitative Sensory Test (QST): By taking a QST, you're actively participating in your health journey, enabling your doctor to pinpoint nerve sensitivities that might be contributing to sleep disorders and initiate timely interventions.
• Sleep Study: Invest in your health with a sleep study; this comprehensive assessment helps identify and address sleep disorders, contributing to better health outcomes and increased longevity.
• Wada Test: This test helps doctors determine which side of your brain is dominant for language, assisting in planning for brain surgeries that prevent language problems post-operation.

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. Anthony Ackerman 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 understanding the triggers and developing a proactive sleep schedule, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of their chronic cluster headaches, improving their overall quality of life.
• By understanding the early warning signs of aural migraine and implementing a proactive sleep hygiene plan, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and severity of disruptive episodes, improving their overall quality of 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. Anthony Ackerman:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Often coming from backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying the underlying 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)?

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a safe, non-invasive overnight test. It monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to create a complete picture of your sleep patterns. This comprehensive assessment is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders, allowing us to develop an effective prevention plan.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device, similar to a mouthguard, created by a specially trained dentist. It gently shifts the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. This can be a comfortable and portable alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

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

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Ackerman, specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep disorders that originate in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

My partner says I act out my dreams. Should I be concerned?

It's understandable to be concerned about acting out dreams. This could be a sign of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), which sometimes precedes other neurological conditions. A consultation with Dr. Ackerman is important to assess the situation and discuss available treatments to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain has difficulty regulating sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sometimes cataplexy. While there's no cure, a sleep specialist can develop a management plan including medication and lifestyle changes to help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

4343 Newberry Rd
Gainesville FL 32607
Phone: (352) 374-2222

Dr. Anthony Ackerman, 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): 1700093630

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. Anthony Ackerman 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.