Jessica Matthews, MS

Jessica Matthews, MS is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she serves as your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. This includes creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. She is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is licensed in Florida with 11 years of professional work experience and believes in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She is experienced in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and loss, as well as sleep disorders. Your unique needs will be addressed in a personalized dialog and treatment plan. Patients should call (239) 745-4614 to confirm if Dr. Jessica MS is currently accepting new patients. She serves all ages. Dr. Jessica MS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Reactive Attachment Disorder: By fostering secure attachment in young children, we can proactively prevent the development of Reactive Attachment Disorder and mitigate its potential negative impact on sleep and overall health.
• 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.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder: Schizoid personality disorder, while not directly a sleep disorder, can affect sleep patterns and increase the risk of other health issues that impact sleep, highlighting the importance of proactive mental health care for better overall well-being.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Restless Legs Syndrome can significantly affect your quality of life, but proactive management through lifestyle changes and medical intervention can lessen its impact and prevent further complications.
• Double Depression: Double depression, a combination of persistent depressive disorder and a major depressive episode, significantly impacts sleep quality and can worsen existing sleep disorders, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term health issues.
• Nicotine Addiction: Quitting nicotine addiction is crucial for preventing sleep disorders like sleep apnea and improving overall sleep quality, reducing your risk of serious health problems.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Because untreated OCPD can contribute to stress and anxiety, which negatively impact sleep, taking steps to manage it proactively supports better sleep hygiene and overall health.

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

• Supportive Counseling: Counseling can help you build healthy sleep habits and cope with stress, preventing insomnia and other sleep disorders from disrupting your overall health.
• Psychotherapy Services: Improve your sleep quality and overall well-being by undergoing psychotherapy; it can help uncover and manage emotional or psychological factors affecting your sleep.
• Marital and Family Psychotherapy: Marital and family therapy can help identify and resolve relationship stressors contributing to sleep problems, promoting better overall sleep health.
• Medication Management: Medication management is a crucial step in improving your sleep quality and reducing the risk of long-term health problems associated with sleep disorders.
• Play Therapy: For children struggling with sleep, play therapy offers a safe space to explore and address the root causes of their sleep difficulties.
• Mindfulness Technique Therapy: Proactively address sleep problems by learning mindfulness techniques; these practices can help you identify and address underlying stress contributing to sleep disruption.
• Psychopharmacologic Treatment: Taking medication as prescribed can help manage your sleep disorder and prevent serious health problems 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. Jessica MS 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:

• Recognizing the early signs of potential attachment challenges, a family proactively developed strategies to foster secure bonds, significantly reducing the risk of Reactive Attachment Disorder and promoting healthy development. This proactive approach instilled peace of mind and empowered them to build a stronger, healthier future for their child.
• By addressing sleep disturbances and incorporating stress-reduction techniques, a patient significantly lowered their risk factors for fibromyalgia, leading to improved overall well-being and a more active lifestyle.

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. Jessica MS:

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. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, allowing them to offer a comprehensive approach to 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 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, helping us accurately diagnose sleep disorders and create a personalized prevention plan. It's the gold standard for diagnosing sleep problems.

What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

CPAP therapy, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. A machine delivers gentle, constant air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep, preventing breathing pauses. This therapy helps restore healthy sleep and protect your 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 growth, learning, and behavior. Fortunately, treatment can prevent these developmental issues.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Jessica MS, specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep disorders stemming from the brain's control centers, including narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

What is the connection between depression/anxiety and sleep?

Depression and anxiety can significantly impact sleep, and conversely, poor sleep can worsen symptoms of these conditions. Our practice understands this strong bidirectional link and provides comprehensive care, treating both the sleep disorder and the mood disorder together to prevent a negative cycle.

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 surgery can offer a permanent solution.

10499 Fgcu Blvd S
Fort Myers FL 33965
Phone: (239) 745-4614

Jessica Matthews, MS 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): 1457651804

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. Jessica MS 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.