Dr. John Decerce, MD

Dr. John Decerce, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. He practices at John DeCerce, MD (Neurology Associates) in Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His focus is on preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in 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. Call (904) 368-8111 to schedule. I ALWAYS JUST WANTED TO OCCUPY A ROLE IN SOCIETY WHERE THE PURPOSE OF MY EXISTENCE COULD BE UNDERSTOOD BY ALL.

With over 30 years of dedicated experience in Sleep Medicine care, Dr. Decerce brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 1991, followed by an internship at Jersey Shore Medical Center - General Practice Residency. His specialized training includes a residency in Sleep Medicine at New Jersey Medical School, University Of Medicine & Dentistry Of New Jersey (Umdnj), fellowship training in Robert Wood Johnson Medical School University Of Med, and University Of Miami - Internat'Ll Center For Epilepsy. He is Board Certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. He adheres to a care philosophy of being respectable, kind, and courteous, always affirming and never dismissing patients. Dr. John Decerce provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Idiopathic Hypersomnia: Idiopathic hypersomnia, a chronic sleep disorder, may lead to decreased productivity and diminished quality of life if left untreated; thus, proactive steps are necessary to prevent further decline.
• Vertigo: Vertigo, that spinning sensation, can disrupt your sleep and overall health, so early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing falls and other serious injuries.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Protecting your brain from injury is crucial for preventing long-term sleep problems and other health complications.
• Dementia: Addressing sleep problems proactively is key to maintaining cognitive function and potentially preventing the onset of dementia.
• Insomnia: Preventing the negative consequences of insomnia, such as impaired cognitive function and increased risk of accidents, starts with proactive management strategies.
• Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) disrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle, increasing your risk for health problems like heart disease and diabetes—taking steps to manage your sleep schedule can significantly reduce these risks.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Untreated Restless Legs Syndrome can lead to serious health consequences, making early identification and treatment vital for maintaining good health and preventing future problems.
• Opioid Withdrawal: Opioid withdrawal often causes significant sleep disturbances, making early intervention vital to prevent chronic sleep problems and related health issues.
• Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder where you experience overwhelming daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, impacting your daily life and increasing your risk of accidents; early diagnosis and management are key to preventing these risks.
• Post-Traumatic Hypersomnia: Don't let excessive sleep after trauma control your life. Early detection and treatment of post-traumatic hypersomnia are crucial for your recovery and well-being.
• Sleep Apnea: Managing sleep apnea proactively through lifestyle changes and/or medical intervention significantly reduces your risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, and other life-threatening conditions.
• Sleep Related Hypoxemia: Protecting your health involves being aware of sleep-related hypoxemia—low oxygen levels while you sleep—as timely intervention can prevent serious health problems down the line.

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

• 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.
• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test: Protect your long-term health by getting a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test; it's a simple test that can detect early signs of neurological issues affecting your sleep.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: Take a proactive step towards better sleep: nerve conduction studies can identify nerve-related issues affecting sleep quality, allowing for timely intervention.
• Lumbar Puncture: A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a procedure that helps doctors diagnose certain neurological conditions that can affect sleep by analyzing your cerebrospinal fluid.
• Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation: To explore a potentially life-changing treatment for severe, treatment-resistant sleep disorders, consider a deep brain stimulation evaluation.
• 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.
• Cognitive Assessment: This quick assessment screens for cognitive changes that may be linked to sleep apnea, insomnia, or other sleep disorders, helping us provide the best treatment plan.
• Memory Evaluation: Protecting your brain health starts with understanding your memory. This evaluation helps identify potential memory problems associated with sleep disturbances, allowing for timely intervention.
• Ambulatory EEG With Video Monitoring: Take a proactive step towards better sleep by undergoing ambulatory EEG with video monitoring, a test that helps identify and diagnose sleep disorders like seizures or abnormal brain activity during sleep, preventing potential long-term health risks.
• Polysomnography With CPAP Titration: This sleep study, combined with CPAP titration, helps pinpoint the severity of your sleep apnea and finds the optimal CPAP pressure to improve your sleep and overall health.
• 24-Hour Ambulatory Electroencephalogram: A 24-hour ambulatory electroencephalogram (EEG) is a proactive step to monitor your brainwave activity throughout the day and night, helping detect underlying sleep disorders like epilepsy or sleep apnea that could lead to serious health problems.
• 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. John Decerce 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 the early warning signs of idiopathic hypersomnia and working with a sleep specialist, a patient proactively managed their sleep patterns, ensuring a more productive and fulfilling daily life.
• By proactively addressing potential vertigo triggers through lifestyle changes and regular check-ups, a patient significantly reduced the risk of falls and enjoyed a more stable, fulfilling 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. John Decerce:

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, they offer a unique perspective on finding 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 significant risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, 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 that monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements to understand your sleep patterns. It's the gold standard for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders, enabling us to create a personalized 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 used for complex cases or to diagnose other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or parasomnias.

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 serves as an early indicator of other neurological conditions. A consultation with Dr. Decerce is important to evaluate this and discuss available treatments to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

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 develop a management plan incorporating medication and lifestyle adjustments to help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

What is the connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety can significantly disrupt sleep, and conversely, lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice understands this strong bidirectional link and treats both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder together to help break this negative cycle and improve overall well-being.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

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

John DeCerce, MD (Neurology Associates)
12200 San Jose Blvd Ste 10
Jacksonville FL 32223
Phone: (904) 368-8111

Dr. John Decerce, 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): 1497724421

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. John Decerce 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.