Judith Bellomo, LCSW

Judith Bellomo, LCSW is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her Delray Beach, FL clinic. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she recognizes the crucial role of sleep medicine in overall wellness. 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 and is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, fostering an environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their health journey. Please call (561) 270-2280 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Judith LCSW provides consultations primarily in English.

Dr. Judith LCSW's approach emphasizes a deep understanding of each individual patient's needs and circumstances. She believes in tailoring treatment plans to address specific concerns and promotes a supportive environment for healing and change. Her focus on preventive medicine extends beyond sleep disorders, encompassing anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues, and self-esteem concerns, reflecting a holistic approach to patient care. She is committed to building strong, trusting relationships with patients, providing personalized care that empowers them to take control of their health and well-being. Dr. Judith LCSW recognizes the importance of collaborative care, working closely with other specialists to ensure comprehensive and effective treatment.

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

• Fibromyalgia: Because fibromyalgia impacts sleep quality significantly, addressing it proactively helps prevent further sleep disturbances that worsen symptoms.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by severe neurological problems, is largely preventable by maintaining healthy nutritional habits and addressing any underlying alcohol problems; proactive steps safeguard your brain's function.
• Conduct Disorder: Untreated conduct disorder may severely impact a child's sleep quality, increasing the risk of developing further behavioral and sleep-related problems and hindering overall well-being.
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Early intervention for ASD can help prevent the development of insomnia or other sleep disorders often associated with prolonged stress.
• 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.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can significantly disrupt sleep patterns, increasing the risk of insomnia and other sleep disorders, so early identification and treatment are crucial for better sleep health and overall well-being.
• High Altitude Periodic Breathing: High Altitude Periodic Breathing (HAP) is a breathing irregularity at high altitudes; addressing it proactively protects against the risks of altitude sickness and other potential complications.

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

• Depression Treatment: Prioritize your mental health: Early intervention for depression is key to preventing long-term struggles and improving sleep patterns that can be affected by mood.
• Behavior Management: Improve your sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness by adopting healthy sleep hygiene practices identified through a personalized behavior assessment.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): EFT is a type of therapy that can help you understand how your emotions influence your sleep, leading to improved sleep patterns and overall well-being.
• Mindfulness Technique: Enhance your sleep quality and prevent potential sleep disorders by using mindfulness to improve your awareness of sleep patterns, stress triggers, and relaxation techniques.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Take control of your sleep with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), a proactive approach to managing insomnia and stress that can improve your sleep quality and overall well-being.
• Ketamine Infusions: If you're struggling with severe depression impacting your sleep, exploring ketamine infusions as a treatment option may help alleviate depression symptoms and promote restorative sleep.
• Hypnosis (Medical Hypnotherapy): Proactively improve your sleep quality by exploring medical hypnotherapy; it can help uncover hidden psychological factors affecting your sleep and improve your overall well-being.

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. Judith LCSW 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 addressing sleep disturbances, a patient experienced reduced fibromyalgia symptoms and improved overall well-being, enabling them to maintain a fulfilling lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing potential alcohol-related risks and maintaining a nutritious diet, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, gaining peace of mind about their long-term brain health.

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. Judith LCSW:

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, offering a unique perspective on the underlying 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)?

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a safe, non-invasive overnight test that monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements. This comprehensive evaluation provides a detailed picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and creating a personalized prevention plan.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensory disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often worse 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.

Can lifestyle changes like weight loss help sleep apnea?

Yes, significantly. Excess weight can narrow the airway, and for many patients, even a moderate amount of weight loss can dramatically reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea, preventing the need for other therapies.

What is a circadian rhythm disorder?

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

How is chronic insomnia treated?

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

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device, similar to a mouthguard, created by a specially trained dentist. It gently shifts the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. This can be a comfortable and portable alternative to CPAP therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

1200 NW 17th Ave Ste 12
Delray Beach FL 33445
Phone: (561) 270-2280

Judith Bellomo, LCSW 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): 1194031567

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. Judith LCSW 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.