Daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy evaluation near Delray Beach, FL
Delray Beach is about 25 to 30 miles north of Dr. Camilo Ruiz's office, the practice's only location, in Fort Lauderdale. People make the trip when sleepiness during the day has stopped feeling normal and they want a proper workup from a sleep specialist.
Camilo Ruiz, DO · Board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine
Where can someone from Delray Beach get tested for narcolepsy or constant sleepiness?
Patients from Delray Beach see Dr. Camilo Ruiz at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, about 25 to 30 miles south by I-95. He is board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine. When sleepiness needs testing, the practice runs overnight studies and daytime nap tests (MSLT or MWT) in its own sleep rooms, and telehealth follow-ups can reduce the number of drives.
What brings people from Delray Beach to us
- I nod off at red lights and during bridge games, and it scares me.
- I sleep eight hours or more and still need a nap by two o'clock.
- I'm only in Florida part of the year, so I want to get the testing done while I'm here.
- A doctor once mentioned narcolepsy, but no one ever tested me for it.
- The drive is long, and I'd like to know exactly how many trips this will take.
Making the trips from Delray Beach count
A first visit that looks for every cause
Sleepiness can come from short sleep, sleep apnea, medicines, mood, thyroid or other medical problems. As an internist and sleep physician, Dr. Ruiz reviews all of these before deciding on testing.
A sleep diary before the test
You may be asked to track your sleep for a week or two at home. It helps make sure the results reflect your usual nights and is something you can do from Delray Beach.
Overnight study and daytime nap testing
If narcolepsy or another hypersomnia is a concern, an overnight study is usually followed the next day by a multiple sleep latency test, or a maintenance of wakefulness test when that is the better question, all in the practice's sleep rooms.
Scheduling built around your season
Tell the office when you arrive and leave. The team can try to line up the evaluation, testing and results visit within the months you are in Florida.
Video follow-ups to cut the drive
Once the testing is done, results discussions and treatment check-ins can often happen by telehealth, so fewer visits require the trip south.
The trip south from Delray Beach
- Distance
- About 25 to 30 miles
- Typical drive
- Typically 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic
1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316Directions from Delray Beach
- 1.Take Atlantic Avenue west from downtown Delray Beach to I-95.
- 2.Head south on I-95 into Broward County and stay on it past Pompano Beach.
- 3.Continue through Fort Lauderdale and exit at Davie Boulevard.
- 4.Turn east on Davie Boulevard and continue past Andrews Avenue.
- 5.Find the office at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue, a short distance south of downtown.
- 6.Open the directions button before leaving to see live traffic on I-95.
Landmarks on the way
Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach · Broward Health Medical Center, a few blocks from the office
From Delray Beach to our Fort Lauderdale office
Open in Google MapsHow excessive daytime sleepiness is evaluated
Feeling drowsy after a bad night is normal. Struggling to stay awake most days, despite enough time in bed, is not, and it deserves a look. The causes range from simple sleep loss to sleep apnea, side effects of medicines, depression, and less common conditions such as narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.
Dr. Ruiz begins with a detailed history: your sleep schedule, naps, any sudden muscle weakness with laughter or surprise, vivid dreams at sleep onset, snoring and your current prescriptions. Because he is also an internist, he can order and interpret blood work that rules out medical contributors.
When testing is needed, the practice usually performs an overnight sleep study first, then a daytime nap test such as the MSLT. Both happen in the practice's private sleep rooms in Fort Lauderdale, so you are not sent to an outside lab.
Planning care if you spend part of the year in Delray Beach
Many seasonal residents and retirees in Delray Beach want answers before they head home for the summer. Testing for sleepiness takes some planning, because certain medicines may need to be adjusted beforehand and a diary is often kept first, so it helps to call early in your stay.
A realistic plan often looks like this: a first evaluation at the office, a testing date in the practice's sleep rooms, and then a results visit. That last step and later check-ins can frequently be done by telehealth, which saves you time on I-95.
Be aware that rules limit telehealth across state lines, so video visits are generally arranged while you are in Florida. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and care is available in English or Spanish.
What to expect
- Step 1
Request a visit
Call the office. We'll find a time and tell you what to bring.
- Step 2
First appointment
Dr. Ruiz goes over your sleep, your health history and what you've already tried.
- Step 3
Testing, if needed
A home or in-lab sleep study, or blood work.
- Step 4
Treatment and follow-up
You leave with a plan, and come back to adjust it.
About the practice
- Dr. Camilo Ruiz, DO, FACOI, FAASM, board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine.
- Overnight studies and daytime nap tests (MSLT and MWT) in the practice's own sleep rooms.
- Clinical assistant professor at the NSU, FIU and FAU medical schools.
Care for patients from Delray Beach
- Narcolepsy & hypersomnia
- Sleep studies
- Sleep apnea
- Internal medicine
- Concierge medicine
- Office location and hours
Also near the office: Las Olas, Wilton Manors, Dania Beach, Oakland Park, Lauderhill, Plantation, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Davie, Sunrise, Tamarac, Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Aventura, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Weston, Parkland, Boca Raton
Common questions
Is there an office in Delray Beach?
No. The practice has one office, at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Patients from Delray Beach drive about 25 to 30 miles south for in-person visits and testing.
What is an MSLT?
A multiple sleep latency test is a series of short scheduled naps during the day, usually after an overnight study. It measures how quickly you fall asleep and helps evaluate narcolepsy and similar conditions.
Should I stop my medicines before testing?
Not on your own. Some medicines affect sleep test results, and Dr. Ruiz will tell you which ones, if any, to adjust and how.
Can I finish the workup during one winter season?
Often, if you call early in your stay. Let the office know your dates so the visits and testing can be scheduled within them.
Are telehealth visits an option?
Yes, for many follow-ups after the in-person evaluation, which can cut down on trips from Delray Beach. Video visits are generally arranged while you are in Florida.
Written by Sleep & Internal Medicine Specialists. Last updated . This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation.
Schedule an Appointment
Send a request any time, or call Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.