Dr. Brian Horner, DO

Dr. Brian Horner, DO is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Fort Myers, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Horner is your general Sleep Medicine physician, a 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. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (239) 343-1105 to schedule.

Dr. Brian Horner, DO is a pulmonologist in Fort Myers, FL, and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2000 and is affiliated with Lee Memorial Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a deep understanding of patient needs and family dynamics to his practice. He is Board Certified in Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Horner's approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is accepting new patients and provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Brian Horner 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. Brian Horner 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. Brian Horner 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:

• Asthma: Asthma is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea, so effective asthma management is key to promoting healthy sleep and preventing serious long-term complications.
• Chronic Bronchiolitis: Protecting your lungs from chronic bronchiolitis involves identifying and addressing risk factors such as smoking and environmental pollutants, helping you breathe easier and avoid long-term complications.
• Chronic Sinusitis: Early detection and treatment of chronic sinusitis are essential to avoid long-term health issues, such as sleep apnea or insomnia stemming from nasal congestion and breathing difficulties.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Protecting your lungs through preventive measures like avoiding smoking and managing respiratory infections can help prevent COPD, which can significantly affect your sleep quality and overall health.
• Insomnia: Addressing insomnia effectively is a crucial step in preventing serious health issues and maintaining a healthy, productive life.
• Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a serious condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, and early diagnosis and treatment can prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Preventing traumatic brain injuries through safety measures helps safeguard your sleep health and overall well-being.
• Wheezing: Catching wheezing early is key to preventing more serious sleep problems. It could indicate a condition needing treatment to ensure you get restful, restorative sleep.

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. Brian Horner 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 therapy uses gentle air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep, helping prevent pauses in breathing and improving your overall sleep quality.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services: Improve your sleep by strengthening your lungs; pulmonary rehabilitation helps diagnose and treat lung conditions that might be disrupting your rest.
• Respiratory Management: Ensure your airways are clear and functioning properly through respiratory assessment; early detection of sleep-related breathing issues can significantly improve your overall well-being.
• Sleep Study: Protecting your long-term health starts with a sleep study, a simple procedure that helps diagnose sleep disorders early, leading to effective treatment and improved quality of life.
• Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP): A somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) test helps your doctor check your nervous system's ability to send signals, potentially identifying early signs of neurological conditions that can impact sleep.
• Cognitive Function Testing: Invest in your mental clarity: Cognitive function testing screens for cognitive impairment linked to sleep disorders, paving the way for timely intervention.

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. Brian Horner 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 proactively managing their asthma through consistent treatment and monitoring, a patient significantly reduced their risk of sleep apnea, ensuring a more restful night's sleep and preventing potential long-term health issues.
• By understanding and addressing potential environmental triggers, a patient proactively reduced their risk of developing chronic bronchiolitis, ensuring a healthier future for their family.

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. Brian Horner:

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. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, allowing them to approach sleep problems from a unique perspective and identify the root cause.

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 a personalized prevention plan.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea in children is common, often due to large tonsils and adenoids. Prompt 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 connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety can significantly impact sleep, and poor sleep can worsen these conditions. Our practice understands this strong bidirectional link and provides comprehensive care, treating both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder together to break the negative cycle.

What is narcolepsy?

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

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, such as custom-made oral appliances fitted by a dentist to reposition the jaw, and surgical options from an ENT to address anatomical blockages. These can be crucial components of a personalized treatment plan.

What is a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime test, often following an overnight sleep study. It involves a series of scheduled naps to objectively measure how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations. This test is the primary tool we use for diagnosing narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

13340 Metro Pkwy Ste 400
Fort Myers FL 33966
Phone: (239) 343-1105

Dr. Brian Horner, DO 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): 1619194032

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. Brian Horner 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.