Dr. Lara Wittine, MD

Dr. Lara Wittine, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician practicing at AdventHealth Medical Group Neuroscience at Tampa in Tampa, FL. She is a dedicated partner in preventive health, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her focus is on empowering patients to proactively manage their sleep health, preventing long-term 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. Currently, Dr. Wittine is not accepting new patients, but you can call (813) 615-7725 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.

Dr. Wittine is a fellowship-trained physician with board certifications in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, providing a wide array of consultative, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for adult sleep-related disorders. With over 10 years of dedicated experience in Sleep Medicine care and a passion for the benefits of sleep, she advocates for sleep health locally and nationally in a leadership role at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). As the Medical Director of the AASM-accredited AdventHealth Tampa Sleep Center, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 2012, is Board Certified in Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is committed to building personalized treatment plans that support whole health. Dr. Wittine provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Lara Wittine 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. Lara Wittine 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. Lara Wittine 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: Asthma, if left unmanaged, can disrupt your sleep due to coughing and breathlessness, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment for better overall health.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Early diagnosis and treatment of COPD is crucial to prevent its progression and reduce the impact on your sleep patterns, avoiding serious long-term health complications.
• Insomnia: Addressing insomnia effectively is a crucial step in preventing serious health issues and maintaining a healthy, productive life.
• Narcolepsy: By identifying and managing narcolepsy early, you can take control of your sleep and significantly decrease the chances of developing serious health complications, like depression and anxiety.
• 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.
• 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: 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: Sleep-related hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen during sleep, can seriously impact your health over time, so early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term complications like heart disease.
• 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. Lara Wittine 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): Take a proactive step towards better health by using CPAP; it's a treatment for sleep apnea that can help reduce daytime sleepiness and improve your cardiovascular health.
• Home Sleep Study: Invest in your well-being with a home sleep study – a non-invasive screening tool that helps detect sleep disorders and enables you to get the treatment you need.
• 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: Proactively address potential respiratory issues affecting your sleep by participating in pulmonary rehabilitation; it can improve your breathing and overall sleep health.
• 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.
• Alcohol or Substance Misuse Screening and Counseling: Taking a proactive step towards better sleep, this screening helps identify if alcohol or substance use is affecting your sleep quality and overall health.
• Sleep Apnea Surgery: Addressing sleep apnea through surgery helps prevent the daytime fatigue and other symptoms that can negatively affect your quality of life.

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. Lara Wittine 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 managing their asthma through regular check-ups, a patient found relief from disruptive nighttime symptoms, ensuring a peaceful and restful sleep.
• By proactively managing their respiratory health and understanding their risk factors, a patient significantly reduced their chance of developing COPD, ensuring a healthier future. This proactive approach allowed the patient to enjoy a better quality of sleep 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. 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. Lara Wittine:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has undergone specialized training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Often with backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to understanding and addressing 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, allowing us to accurately diagnose sleep disorders and create a personalized prevention plan. It's the gold standard for diagnosing sleep problems.

How does an Otolaryngologist (ENT) help with sleep problems?

An otolaryngologist (ENT) is a surgeon specializing in the ear, nose, and throat. They can identify and surgically correct physical blockages, such as a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils, which can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes, this can offer a permanent solution.

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. Wittine is important to assess the situation and determine the best course of action, as effective treatments are available to manage symptoms and ensure your safety during sleep.

What is the connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety can disrupt sleep, and lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice recognizes this strong bidirectional link and provides comprehensive care that addresses both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder, preventing a negative cycle.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

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

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 vital step in preventing these developmental issues.

AdventHealth Medical Group Neuroscience at Tampa
3000 Medical Park Dr Ste 510
Tampa FL 33613
Phone: (813) 615-7725

Dr. Lara Wittine, 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): 1245307941

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. Lara Wittine 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.