Dr. Ricardo Rivera-Morales, MD

Dr. Ricardo Rivera-Morales, MD is a Sleep Medicine specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his Titusville, FL clinic. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under 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 is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (321) 269-5101 to schedule.

Dr. Ricardo Rivera-Morales, MD is a pulmonologist in Titusville, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. A graduate of University Of Puerto Rico / Mayaguez Campus in 1986, Dr. Rivera-Morales has extensive experience in Obstructive Lung Disease, Sleep Apnea, and Interstitial Lung Disease. He is affiliated with Holmes Regional Medical Center and Cape Canaveral Hospital, and is accepting new patients. With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Sleep Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Rivera-Morales offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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:

• Chronic Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis, if left untreated, can lead to sleep disturbances and worsen conditions like sleep apnea, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management for overall health.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Wheezing: Regular checkups and attention to wheezing can help identify and manage potential respiratory issues before they escalate and significantly impact your sleep and long-term health.
• 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.
• Acute Insomnia: Acute insomnia, characterized by short-term sleep difficulties, can be a sign of underlying stress or illness, highlighting the importance of addressing it promptly to prevent it from developing into chronic insomnia.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Protecting your lungs through preventive measures like avoiding smoking and managing respiratory infections can help prevent COPD, which can significantly affect your sleep quality and overall health.
• Chronic Bronchiolitis: Early diagnosis of chronic bronchiolitis is key to slowing disease progression and preventing further damage, improving your quality of life and overall health.
• 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.
• Insomnia: Insomnia, the struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, can be addressed early to prevent long-term health problems like anxiety, depression, and weakened immunity.
• 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.

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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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): CPAP therapy uses gentle air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep, helping prevent pauses in breathing and improving your overall sleep quality.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services: Improve your sleep by strengthening your lungs; pulmonary rehabilitation helps diagnose and treat lung conditions that might be disrupting your rest.
• Respiratory Management: Ensure your airways are clear and functioning properly through respiratory assessment; early detection of sleep-related breathing issues can significantly improve your overall well-being.
• Sleep Study: Take a proactive step towards better health with a sleep study: it's a diagnostic tool that screens for hidden sleep problems that could impact your overall well-being.
• Treatment of Mood Disorders: Take proactive steps to manage mood disorders, as untreated conditions can significantly impact sleep quality and overall health.
• Marital and Family Psychotherapy: To proactively address relationship challenges that may impact sleep quality, consider marital and family psychotherapy.

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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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 addressing potential sleep issues early on, a patient proactively managed chronic sinusitis, leading to improved sleep quality and overall well-being. This approach reduced the risk of more serious health complications down the line.
• By proactively addressing potential sleep-related oxygen levels, a patient felt empowered to take control of their health, reducing the risk of future health complications and gaining peace of mind.

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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has undergone specialized fellowship training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Often coming from backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring 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, or polysomnogram, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a comprehensive picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a personalized prevention plan.

Can my child have sleep apnea?

Yes, sleep apnea in children is common, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Early diagnosis is crucial, as untreated sleep apnea can impact a child's growth, learning, and behavior. Fortunately, treatment is a key step in preventing these developmental issues.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternative treatments to CPAP, such as custom-made oral appliances from a dentist to reposition the jaw, and surgical options from an ENT to address anatomical blockages. These can be crucial components of a personalized treatment plan.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Rivera-Morales, specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep disorders originating in the brain's control centers, including narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

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

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, that can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes, this can provide a lasting solution.

800 Century Medical Dr Ste A
Titusville FL 32796
Phone: (321) 269-5101

Dr. Ricardo Rivera-Morales, 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): 1801892245

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. Ricardo Rivera-Morales 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.