Melissa Levine, LMHC

Melissa Levine, LMHC is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and is committed to preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. 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 passionate about fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their health. Please call (954) 355-4142 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Melissa LMHC's approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, prioritizing a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their health journey. She believes in creating personalized plans that address individual needs and preferences, emphasizing the importance of open communication and shared decision-making. This partnership extends beyond the clinic, fostering connections with specialists such as pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists to ensure comprehensive care. Dr. Melissa LMHC is committed to providing a supportive and empowering experience for all patients.

Dr. Melissa LMHC provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Psychotic Depression: Recognizing the signs of psychotic depression and seeking professional help promptly are vital steps in preventing its progression and potential long-term effects on mental and physical health.
• Behavioral Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder: Recognizing behavioral symptoms of social anxiety early can help prevent its escalation into chronic anxiety and its negative impact on sleep quality.
• Vascular Dementia: Protecting your brain from vascular dementia starts with managing risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes – early detection and treatment are key to prevention.
• Rett's Syndrome: Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder primarily affecting girls, causing developmental delays and sleep disturbances that, if managed properly through early intervention, can help mitigate long-term health problems.
• Sexual Disorders: Untreated sexual disorders can impact sleep quality and contribute to other health problems; proactive management is crucial for better sleep and overall health.
• Apnea: Preventing the long-term effects of apnea, such as stroke and diabetes, starts with recognizing its symptoms and seeking timely medical attention to make lifestyle changes or receive necessary treatment.
• Fatigue: Managing fatigue effectively, by prioritizing sleep hygiene and seeking professional help if needed, is key to preventing further health decline.

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

• Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy: To proactively address potential sleep apnea, a fiberoptic bronchoscopy can help your doctor identify airway blockages or abnormalities impacting your breathing and sleep quality.
• Pulmonary Function Test: This simple test measures your lung's capacity and airflow, allowing us to identify any underlying lung issues that might disrupt your sleep and contribute to sleep apnea.
• Diagnostic Nasal and Sinus Endoscopy: By providing a detailed view of your nasal and sinus passages, this diagnostic endoscopy can help determine if any anatomical abnormalities are contributing to your sleep apnea, snoring, or other sleep disorders, leading to more effective treatment.
• 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.
• Polysomnography With CPAP Titration: This sleep study, combined with CPAP titration, helps pinpoint the severity of your sleep apnea and finds the optimal CPAP pressure to improve your sleep and overall health.
• Cognitive Assessment: Taking a proactive step with a cognitive assessment can help identify potential cognitive decline associated with sleep disorders, allowing for timely intervention.
• Ketamine Infusions: Ketamine infusions are sometimes used to address severe depression that disrupts sleep, acting as a step towards better mental and physical health through improved sleep hygiene.

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. Melissa LMHC 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 early warning signs of potential psychotic depression and implementing a proactive sleep hygiene plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk factors, fostering a sense of control and well-being.
• Recognizing early warning signs of social anxiety, a patient developed a proactive sleep hygiene plan, significantly reducing the likelihood of escalating anxiety and improving their overall well-being. This proactive approach fostered a sense of calm and control, enabling them to confidently navigate social situations.

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. Melissa LMHC:

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 on 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, 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, allowing us to accurately diagnose sleep disorders and create an effective prevention plan. It's the gold standard for diagnosing sleep issues.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain has trouble regulating sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sometimes cataplexy. While there's no cure, a sleep specialist can create a management plan including medication and lifestyle strategies to help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

What is a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime test, often following an overnight sleep study. It involves a series of scheduled naps to objectively measure how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations. This test is primarily used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are alternatives to CPAP, such as custom-made oral appliances to reposition the jaw, and surgical options to address anatomical blockages. These are important options to consider in a personalized treatment plan.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

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

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.

1600 S Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4142

Melissa Levine, LMHC 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): 1194128744

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. Melissa LMHC 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.