Dr. Gulnur Com, MD

Dr. Gulnur Com, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Pensacola, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a vital partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. 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. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (850) 416-1575 to schedule.

Dr. Gulnur Com, MD is a pediatric pulmonologist in Pensacola, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Istanbul in 1983, followed by residency training in Sleep Medicine at Mi State University (2004) and fellowship training in Sleep Medicine at Uab (2004), specializing in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. With over 40 years of dedicated experience in Sleep Medicine care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She is Board Certified in Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatrics, and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Com is affiliated with Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola and Ascension Sacred Heart Bay and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. She offers consultations in Turkish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Gulnur Com 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. Gulnur Com 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. Gulnur Com 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: Preventing asthma attacks is crucial for healthy sleep, as nighttime breathing difficulties can lead to fatigue and other health problems.
• Chronic Bronchiolitis: Chronic bronchiolitis, a long-term lung inflammation, can be prevented through early detection of respiratory infections and proactive management of underlying conditions like asthma, reducing your risk of serious lung damage.
• 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.
• Primary Central Sleep Apnea: Recognizing and managing primary central sleep apnea, a type of sleep apnea involving disrupted breathing signals from the brain, can significantly prevent or reduce future health complications like high blood pressure and daytime fatigue.
• Psychophysiologic Insomnia: If your inability to sleep stems from learned anxiety around sleep itself (psychophysiologic insomnia), early intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can prevent serious health issues down the road.
• Sleep Apnea: Catching sleep apnea early and taking appropriate action—whether it's lifestyle adjustments or medical treatment—can prevent or delay the onset of many serious health issues, safeguarding your future.
• Sleep Related Hypoxemia: Managing sleep-related hypoxemia effectively helps prevent or reduce the severity of related health problems like high blood pressure and stroke, emphasizing the importance of preventive care.
• Wheezing: Wheezing, a whistling sound during breathing, can be a sign of underlying respiratory issues that may disrupt your sleep and worsen over time if left unaddressed, highlighting the importance of early medical evaluation for preventive care.

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

• Bronchoscopy: As part of a comprehensive sleep health assessment, a bronchoscopy might be recommended to rule out lung issues impacting your breathing and sleep quality.
• Home Sleep Study: Proactively identify and address sleep problems that could impact your overall health with a convenient home sleep study, a simple test for early diagnosis.
• Pulmonary Function Test: For a thorough evaluation of your sleep health, a pulmonary function test helps screen for lung problems that could be impacting your breathing and leading to sleep disorders.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services: Improve your sleep by strengthening your lungs; pulmonary rehabilitation helps diagnose and treat lung conditions that might be disrupting your rest.
• Sleep Study: A sleep study is a test that helps doctors identify sleep disorders like apnea or insomnia, allowing for early intervention and preventing serious health problems down the line.
• Mindfulness Technique: Take control of your sleep by learning mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and improve sleep quality, preventing long-term health problems associated with sleep deprivation.
• Supportive Counseling: Take proactive steps towards better sleep by talking with a counselor about your sleep habits and concerns; this can help identify underlying issues and prevent long-term health problems.

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. Gulnur Com 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 their asthma triggers and developing a proactive sleep plan, a family experienced fewer nighttime breathing difficulties, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced asthma symptoms.
• By proactively managing their asthma and receiving regular respiratory screenings, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing chronic bronchiolitis, fostering peace of mind and a healthier future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Gulnur Com:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, allowing them to offer a unique perspective on the root causes 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 comprehensive picture of your sleep patterns. This gold standard test helps accurately diagnose sleep disorders, allowing us to develop an effective prevention plan.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternative treatments to CPAP, including custom-made oral appliances fitted by a dentist to reposition the jaw, and surgical options from an ENT to address anatomical blockages. These alternatives can be crucial components of a personalized treatment 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 therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our first-line approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), is a highly effective program. CBT-I retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing the thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

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. Treatment is a key step in preventing these developmental issues.

What is the difference between a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab study?

A home sleep 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.

5151 N 9th Ave
Pensacola FL 32504
Phone: (850) 416-1575

Dr. Gulnur Com, 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): 1013026079

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. Gulnur Com 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.