Dr. Steven Scheer, MD

Dr. Steven Scheer, MD is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Sarasota, 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 is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (941) 342-3400 to schedule.

Dr. Steven Scheer, MD is a sleep medicine internist in Sarasota, FL with over 50 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1974, completing an internship at Jewish Hospital St Louis in 1975. His commitment to comprehensive care extends through his residency in Sleep Medicine at the University of Minnesota (1978), and fellowship training in Stanford University (2001) and Kettering Medical Center (2000). With this extensive and dedicated experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Certified in Sleep Medicine by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is affiliated with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Scheer provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Irregular Sleep-Wake Pattern: Managing irregular sleep-wake cycles is vital for preventive healthcare, as it lowers your risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity and mood disorders.
• Sleep-Talking: Addressing sleep-talking, especially if it's frequent or disruptive, may help prevent sleep deprivation and its associated health problems.
• Sleep Disorders: Regular check-ups and sleep assessments can help identify and manage sleep disorders before they escalate into more severe health issues.
• 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.
• Fibromyalgia: Effective fibromyalgia management, through a combination of therapies and self-care, can help prevent the progression of pain and fatigue, allowing you to live a fuller life.
• Insomnia With Sleep Apnea: If you have trouble falling asleep (insomnia) and suspect you might also have sleep apnea, addressing both conditions is vital to prevent cardiovascular disease, mood disorders, and other health issues.
• Sleep-Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder: If you experience rhythmic movements during sleep that disrupt your rest, addressing SRMD proactively can prevent significant impacts on your quality of life and well-being.
• Sleep Terror Disorder: Preventing the negative consequences of sleep terror disorder, such as impaired daytime functioning and psychological distress, relies on seeking professional help for proper diagnosis and management.
• 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.
• Problem Sleepiness: Proactive management of daytime sleepiness is key to preventing the long-term health consequences associated with untreated sleep disorders.
• Primary Insomnia: Don't let primary insomnia disrupt your life. Taking steps to address this sleep disorder early on can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions and improve your quality of life.
• Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder: Early identification of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder is crucial for preventing future health problems, as this circadian rhythm sleep disorder disrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to daytime fatigue, reduced productivity, and potentially other health concerns if left untreated.

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

• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): An MSLT is a short, safe test that screens for sleep disorders affecting your daytime alertness, enabling proactive intervention to prevent accidents and 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.
• Cognitive Function Testing: Take charge of your brain health: Cognitive function testing helps identify thinking and memory changes early, potentially preventing serious conditions.
• Breathing Treatment: Protect your health and well-being by getting a breathing treatment assessment; it's a key part of preventing serious health complications linked to untreated sleep disorders.
• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test: Improve your sleep quality proactively with a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test, a diagnostic test detecting auditory pathway abnormalities that can disrupt sleep.
• Spirometry: Take charge of your lung health by undergoing spirometry, a simple test that measures how well your lungs work and can help detect early signs of breathing problems.
• Treatment of Mood Disorders: Prioritize your mental well-being to improve your sleep health; treatment for mood disorders can reduce sleep disturbances and enhance sleep quality.

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. Steven Scheer 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 establishing a consistent sleep schedule and incorporating relaxation techniques, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing mood disorders and other health issues associated with irregular sleep-wake patterns.
• By addressing their sleep-talking patterns proactively, a family experienced significantly reduced disruptive sleep, leading to improved overall well-being and a more restful night's sleep for everyone.

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. Steven Scheer:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has completed specialized training to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, providing a unique perspective to identify the underlying 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 critical 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, helping us accurately diagnose sleep disorders and create a personalized prevention plan. It's the gold standard for sleep disorder diagnosis.

What is the connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety are strongly linked to sleep. Anxiety and depression can cause insomnia, and lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice provides comprehensive care, treating both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder concurrently to break this negative cycle.

What is a circadian rhythm disorder?

Circadian rhythm disorders are problems with the body's internal 24-hour clock, often causing a misalignment between this internal clock and the external environment, like delayed sleep phase syndrome in "night owls." A sleep specialist can help reset this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin.

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

An ENT, or otolaryngologist, 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 providing a permanent solution.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensory disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move your legs, often worsening in the evening or night. It's not just a muscle cramp, but a condition that can significantly disrupt sleep. Diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing severe sleep disruption and improving your quality of life.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain has difficulty regulating sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and potentially cataplexy. While there's no cure, a sleep specialist can develop a comprehensive management plan, including medication and lifestyle strategies, to help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.

2020 Cattlemen Rd Ste 400
Sarasota FL 34232
Phone: (941) 342-3400

Dr. Steven Scheer, 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): 1699735092

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. Steven Scheer 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.