Karleen Shuster, MA

Karleen Shuster, MA is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Pensacola, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, recognizing that your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. She creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinates necessary screenings, and manages your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists, serving all ages. Dr. Karleen MA is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (850) 602-2788 to schedule. I am licensed in Florida with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! She completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions. I believe we are all worthy of happiness and joy! Unfortunately, our past can hold us back from living up to our full potential. With the use of therapy and hypnotherapy, letting go of the past becomes easier, allowing you to move forward towards a more fulfilled life! Dr. Karleen MA provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Psychosis: Managing psychosis effectively is key to preventing further health complications, including sleep problems that can exacerbate the condition and hinder recovery.
• Spinal Demyelination: Addressing spinal demyelination promptly is key to preventing worsening symptoms and potentially debilitating health consequences. Regular health assessments play a vital role in early detection.
• Phantom Limb Pain: Because phantom limb pain can lead to insomnia and other sleep problems, proactive management with the help of healthcare professionals is essential for preventive care.
• Neurological Diseases: Many neurological diseases can affect sleep, highlighting the importance of regular health checkups to catch potential problems early and manage risks.
• Apnea: Early detection and treatment of apnea are vital for preventing future health risks, including cardiovascular disease, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing your sleep health.
• Psychogenic Headache: Understanding and managing stress through techniques like mindfulness or therapy is a vital step in preventing the development of psychogenic headaches and improving sleep quality.
• Fatigue: Persistent fatigue can be a warning sign of an underlying sleep disorder, so addressing it early can prevent serious health problems down the line.

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

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CTB-I): CBT-I helps you develop healthy sleep patterns, preventing the long-term health risks associated with chronic insomnia.
• SomnoDent® (for Sleep Apnea): Improve your sleep and wake feeling refreshed by utilizing SomnoDent®, an effective oral appliance that helps manage symptoms of sleep apnea and reduces daytime fatigue.
• Ambulatory EEG With Video Monitoring: This test involves wearing a portable EEG monitor with a video camera to record your brainwaves and sleep behavior. It's a crucial step in getting a precise diagnosis for various sleep disorders, enabling prompt treatment and preventing future complications.
• Parotidectomy: In select instances, a parotidectomy can help alleviate symptoms that may disrupt sleep, such as severe pain or swelling near the jaw.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Improve your sleep health by considering psychodynamic therapy; it helps identify and work through emotional patterns that might be disrupting your sleep cycle.
• Depression Treatment: Invest in your emotional health: Depression treatment offers personalized support and strategies to effectively manage depressive episodes, which often disrupt healthy sleep cycles.
• Quantitative Sensory Test (QST): To better understand and manage potential sleep disturbances, a Quantitative Sensory Test (QST) helps assess your body's sensitivity to various stimuli, leading to more effective treatment.

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. Karleen MA 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 patterns and mental well-being, a patient reduced the risk factors associated with psychosis, fostering a sense of calm and increased control over their overall health.
• By proactively scheduling regular health assessments, a patient gained valuable insights into their spinal health, effectively reducing potential risks and gaining peace of mind. This proactive approach allowed them to address any emerging concerns promptly.

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. Karleen MA:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist, like Dr. Karleen MA, is a board-certified doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. They often have backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, offering a unique perspective on finding the root cause 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 critical 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 complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and developing an effective prevention plan.

What is narcolepsy?

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

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 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

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 a delayed sleep phase. A sleep specialist can help reset this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin. We can work together to improve your sleep patterns.

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 to be the most effective long-term solution. CBT-I retrains the brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Karleen MA, 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.

310 E Government St
Pensacola FL 32502
Phone: (850) 602-2788

Karleen Shuster, MA 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): 1538330097

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. Karleen MA 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.