Dr. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia, MD

Dr. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia, MD is a Sleep Medicine specialist practicing at his clinic in Miami, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Sleep Medicine care. 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 (305) 595-4041 to schedule.

Dr. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia, MD is a neurologist in Miami, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Universidad De Caldas, Facultad De Medicina in 1985, followed by residency training in Sleep Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital (1997) and fellowship training in Sleep Medicine at George Washington University Hospital (1998). He is Board Certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and is affiliated with Homestead Hospital and Baptist Hospital of Miami. With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Sleep Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Ramirez-Mejia offers consultations in Spanish. I provide the highest quality Neurological care to all of my patients, efficiently, effectively and compassionately.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia 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. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia 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. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia 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:

• Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy, while not directly a sleep disorder, can affect sleep patterns and quality, making early diagnosis and appropriate management crucial for preventing further developmental challenges and improving sleep health.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep issues following a concussion can minimize the long-term impact of PCS, helping individuals regain normal sleep patterns and overall health.
• Cluster Headache: Don't let cluster headaches control your life; proactive management, including identifying and avoiding triggers, helps prevent frequent attacks and improves your overall health and sleep patterns.
• 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.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Early detection and management of traumatic brain injuries are essential to minimize the risk of developing sleep disorders.
• Concussion: Understanding that concussions often affect sleep is key for preventive healthcare; if you experience sleep changes after a head injury, get assessed to minimize long-term sleep disruption.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Regular self-assessment for carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms is crucial to allow for prompt medical attention, preventing long-term issues that may lead to poor sleep and reduced quality of life.
• Essential Tremor: Preventing complications from essential tremor requires proactive healthcare; early identification and treatment can help minimize its impact on daily life, including sleep quality.
• Dementia: Protecting your brain health through better sleep can significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia later in life.
• Epilepsy: Epilepsy, a neurological disorder causing seizures, can disrupt sleep and worsen if left untreated, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management for better sleep health and overall well-being.
• Tension Headache: Addressing tension headaches promptly helps prevent them from escalating into more severe conditions and affecting your sleep patterns.
• Aural Migraine: Aural migraine is a type of migraine that causes symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo, and early recognition can help prevent long-term hearing problems.

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

• Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation: A deep brain stimulation evaluation helps determine if this advanced treatment could effectively manage your sleep disorder and improve your overall health.
• 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.
• 24-Hour Ambulatory Electroencephalogram: For a thorough evaluation of sleep-related neurological activity, a 24-hour ambulatory EEG is a crucial step. This test allows for early detection of conditions that may affect your sleep quality and overall health.
• Cognitive Function Testing: Boost your brainpower: By evaluating cognitive function, we can pinpoint sleep problems impacting your memory and concentration, enabling effective management.
• Wada Test: Before brain surgery, a Wada test is used to precisely identify language functions in each brain hemisphere to ensure the procedure avoids any cognitive impairment.
• Memory Evaluation: A memory evaluation helps us detect early signs of cognitive decline, often linked to untreated sleep disorders, so you can get the right support and improve your overall well-being.
• ImPACT Testing: Proactively manage your risk of sleep problems stemming from head trauma through ImPACT testing, a simple yet effective assessment that allows for early intervention.
• 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.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): Protecting your sleep health starts with an EEG. This test screens for brainwave patterns linked to sleep disorders, helping us diagnose and treat problems early.
• 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: 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.
• Home Sleep Study: Take charge of your health by undergoing a home sleep study to detect potential sleep disorders like apnea or insomnia early, preventing serious health risks down the line.

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. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia 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 addressing potential sleep-related issues, a family gained valuable insights into managing their child's development, reducing the risk factors associated with cerebral palsy and promoting a healthier sleep routine. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to focus on their child's overall well-being.
• Following a concussion, a patient proactively addressed potential sleep disruptions, minimizing the risk of developing post-concussion syndrome and regaining a healthy sleep pattern. This early intervention allowed the patient to focus on recovery and overall well-being.

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. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia:

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 (ENT), they offer a unique perspective to identify 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 accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Ramirez-Mejia, specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep disorders rooted in the brain's control centers, such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias. This expertise ensures the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan for these conditions.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, including custom-made oral appliances from a dentist to reposition the jaw, and surgical options from an ENT to address anatomical blockages. These are often part of a personalized treatment plan to address your sleep apnea.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

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

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. A machine delivers gentle, constant air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep, preventing breathing pauses. This therapy restores healthy sleep and protects your heart.

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 sleep specialist can create a management plan with medication and lifestyle strategies to help prevent symptoms from impacting daily life.

8940 N Kendall Dr Ste 802E
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (305) 595-4041

Dr. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia, 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): 1053375360

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. Carlos Ramirez-Mejia 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.