Dr. Douglas Wallace, MD

Dr. Douglas Wallace, MD is a Sleep Medicine specialist 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), focusing on preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing these complications, 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) 326-6000 to schedule.

Dr. Douglas Wallace, MD is a neurologist in Miami, FL affiliated with Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City and Homestead Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments, having earned his medical degree from University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine. He is Board Certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, demonstrating a commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine. He strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, and offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• 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.
• Sleep Disorders: Untreated sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes, so early detection and management are crucial for your long-term well-being.
• Primary Insomnia: Primary insomnia, meaning sleep problems not stemming from other health issues, needs attention because it can affect your physical and mental health; managing it effectively is a critical step in preventing long-term health consequences.
• Sleep Apnea: Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term health problems, so identifying and addressing it early is vital for your overall well-being and to prevent future health complications.
• Insomnia: Addressing insomnia effectively is a crucial step in preventing serious health issues and maintaining a healthy, productive life.
• Psychophysiologic Insomnia: Preventing the development of chronic insomnia involves understanding the role of your thoughts and feelings in your sleep problems, a key aspect of psychophysiologic insomnia.
• Sleep Related Hypoxemia: Don't underestimate the risk of sleep-related hypoxemia; proactively addressing low oxygen levels during sleep is vital for preventing future health issues.
• Epilepsy: Early detection of epilepsy and appropriate management strategies are crucial for preventing sleep disruptions and improving the quality of life for individuals and their families.
• Dementia: Ensuring quality sleep is a crucial component of a holistic approach to dementia prevention, promoting overall brain health.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Managing a traumatic brain injury effectively can help reduce the severity and frequency of sleep disturbances and improve sleep quality.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Pulmonary Function Test: A pulmonary function test helps us check how well your lungs are working, which is important for diagnosing and preventing sleep apnea and other breathing problems during sleep.
• Snoring Therapy: Don't let snoring disrupt your health; snoring therapy can help determine the cause of your snoring and guide you towards effective solutions for better sleep and improved daytime health.
• Polysomnography With CPAP Titration: Invest in your long-term health with a sleep study and CPAP titration; this comprehensive assessment helps diagnose sleep apnea, find the right CPAP pressure, and prevent its damaging effects.
• Diagnostic Nasal and Sinus Endoscopy: A nasal and sinus endoscopy is a quick procedure that allows doctors to visualize the inside of your nose and sinuses to identify any potential blockages or abnormalities that could be contributing to sleep problems.
• Narrative Therapy: To improve sleep, narrative therapy empowers you to discover and address the underlying emotional or psychological factors that contribute to your sleep disorders.

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. Douglas Wallace 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:

• Recognizing the subtle signs of primary central sleep apnea, a patient proactively addressed the disorder, significantly reducing their risk of cardiovascular complications and gaining peace of mind about their overall health.
• By understanding their sleep patterns and implementing lifestyle changes, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing sleep disorders, fostering a more restful and healthier lifestyle for everyone.

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. Douglas Wallace:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

Dr. Wallace is a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, meaning he has completed specialized training beyond his medical degree to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. He often comes from a background in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, giving him a unique perspective on the root causes of 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, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, acting as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a personalized prevention plan.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, including custom-made oral appliances to reposition the jaw and surgical options to address anatomical blockages. These are often part of a personalized treatment plan developed by your sleep medicine specialist.

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.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Wallace, 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.

Can lifestyle changes like weight loss help sleep apnea?

Yes, significantly. Excess weight can narrow the airway, and for many patients, even a moderate amount of weight loss can dramatically reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea, empowering you to prevent the need for other therapies.

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 primarily used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

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

Dr. Douglas Wallace, 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): 1013058932

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. Douglas Wallace 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.