Dr. Douglas Whitmore, MD

Dr. Douglas Whitmore, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Fort Lauderdale, 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 while he is not currently accepting new patients, you can call (954) 772-2136 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.

Dr. Douglas Whitmore, MD is a pulmonologist in Fort Lauderdale, FL with over 45 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Whitmore has extensive experience in Obstructive Lung Disease, Sleep Apnea, and Interstitial Lung Disease. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 1978 and completed fellowship training in Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1983, deepening his expertise in Sleep Medicine. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is affiliated with Memorial Hospital West and Holy Cross Hospital, and he provides consultations primarily in English.

Dr. Whitmore's approach to patient care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. His dedication to preventive care, coupled with his extensive experience and board certifications, positions him as a trusted partner in your journey toward optimal health. While he is not accepting new patients at this time, his commitment to patient well-being remains steadfast.

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

• 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.
• Asthma: Regular check-ups and proactive management of asthma are important for preventing its impact on sleep quality and enhancing your health.
• Chronic Bronchiolitis: Chronic bronchiolitis may be manageable through preventative measures such as vaccination against respiratory viruses and regular pulmonary function testing, which may prevent hospitalization.
• 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): COPD can lead to disturbed sleep and increased risk of sleep apnea, emphasizing the need for proactive lung health management to maintain good sleep hygiene.
• Insomnia: Chronic insomnia increases your risk of developing serious health conditions. Taking steps to manage it now is vital for your long-term health.
• Narcolepsy: Don't let excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks control your life – narcolepsy is manageable with the right care, preventing potential accidents and long-term health problems.
• 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 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: Managing a traumatic brain injury effectively can help reduce the severity and frequency of sleep disturbances and improve sleep quality.
• 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. Douglas Whitmore offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Bronchoscopy: Taking a proactive step towards better sleep, a bronchoscopy helps identify blockages or irregularities in your lungs that could be contributing to sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Proactively manage your sleep apnea with CPAP therapy—a simple yet effective treatment that can significantly improve your sleep quality, energy levels, and overall well-being.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services: Take a proactive step towards better lung health with pulmonary rehabilitation; it helps identify and manage breathing problems that can impact sleep quality.
• Respiratory Management: Take charge of your respiratory health: screenings can detect sleep apnea or other breathing disorders early, leading to timely treatment and improved sleep quality.
• 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.
• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Take control of your health by getting personalized guidance and support to quit smoking and improve your sleep quality.
• Polysomnography With CPAP Titration: Proactively address potential sleep apnea by having a polysomnography with CPAP titration, allowing for early detection and customized treatment to prevent future health issues like high blood pressure.

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 Whitmore 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 early signs of acute insomnia, a patient implemented simple lifestyle changes, significantly reducing their risk of developing long-term sleep problems and associated health concerns. This proactive approach fostered a greater sense of well-being and control over their sleep health.
• By scheduling regular check-ups and proactively managing their asthma, a patient enjoyed improved sleep and reduced symptoms, leading to a more peaceful and healthy 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. Douglas Whitmore:

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, bringing a unique perspective to identifying 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, 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.

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, such as narcolepsy or parasomnias.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our first-line approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a program that helps retrain your brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing the thoughts and behaviors that prevent it. This is often the most effective long-term solution.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy, a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea, uses a machine to deliver gentle, constant air pressure through a mask. This pressure keeps the airway open during sleep, preventing breathing pauses and restoring healthy sleep, ultimately protecting the heart.

What is narcolepsy?

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

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

We understand your concern about acting out your dreams. This could be a sign of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), which sometimes precedes other neurological conditions. A consultation with Dr. Whitmore is important to properly diagnose and discuss available treatments to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

4725 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
Phone: (954) 772-2136

Dr. Douglas Whitmore, 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): 1689687493

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 Whitmore 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.