Sleep specialist for older adults near Tamarac, FL
Dr. Camilo Ruiz is a sleep medicine and internal medicine physician whose single office is in Fort Lauderdale, roughly 12 to 14 miles southeast of Tamarac. Many of the patients who make that trip are retired, and some come with a son or daughter who helps them keep track of the plan.
Camilo Ruiz, DO · Board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine
Who can help a Tamarac retiree with CPAP trouble or poor sleep?
Retirees from Tamarac can see Dr. Camilo Ruiz, board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine, at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, about 12 to 14 miles away. He adjusts CPAP setups that have become hard to tolerate, treats insomnia with CBT-I before reaching for sleeping pills, reviews the medicines older adults already take, and holds visits in English or Spanish.
What we hear from people in Tamarac
- My CPAP mask leaks, dries out my mouth, and most nights it ends up on the floor.
- I've taken a sleeping pill for years and I'd like to stop, but I'm afraid I won't sleep at all.
- Since I retired I nap in the afternoon and then lie awake half the night.
- I take so many medicines now that I wonder if one of them is keeping me up.
- Mi mamá no habla inglés y quiero que el médico le explique todo en español.
How Dr. Ruiz approaches care for Tamarac patients
Making CPAP bearable again
He looks at mask style, fit, pressure and the machine's own usage data. Small changes there often decide whether someone keeps using it or gives up.
Insomnia care that starts with CBT-I
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the first step. For people already on a sleeping pill, any taper is planned slowly and only with your agreement.
A careful look at the medicine list
As an internist, he reviews everything you take, since some prescriptions and their timing can affect sleep or daytime alertness.
Conversations in Spanish
Dr. Ruiz sees patients in English and Spanish, so a parent and an adult child can follow the same explanation in the language each prefers.
Follow-ups by video
Once the plan is set, many check-ins can be done by telehealth, which spares a retiree the drive down Commercial Boulevard and I-95.
Driving down from Tamarac
- Distance
- About 12 to 14 miles from central Tamarac
- Typical drive
- Roughly 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic
1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316Directions from Tamarac
- 1.From Tamarac, head east on Commercial Boulevard.
- 2.Keep going east past US-441/State Road 7 and Florida's Turnpike until you reach I-95.
- 3.Take I-95 south toward downtown Fort Lauderdale.
- 4.Exit at Davie Boulevard and go east to Andrews Avenue.
- 5.The office is just east of Andrews Avenue at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue. Tap the live directions button before leaving to see the fastest way at that hour.
Landmarks on the way
Commercial Boulevard and Florida's Turnpike · The Commercial Boulevard entrance to I-95 · Broward Health Medical Center, a few blocks from the office
From Tamarac to our Fort Lauderdale office
Open in Google MapsWhen the CPAP machine sits unused on the nightstand
Plenty of people in their sixties and seventies were handed a CPAP years ago and never had it revisited. The mask that fit then may not fit now, dentures or weight changes alter the seal, and a dry mouth or a cold blast of air can make the whole thing feel like a punishment.
Dr. Ruiz treats those complaints as fixable problems. He reviews how many hours the machine is actually used, whether air is leaking, and what pressure it delivers, then suggests specific changes: a different mask type, heated humidity, or a new pressure setting.
This matters because untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure and other heart and blood vessel problems, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. If an older study is in doubt, he may suggest a home test or an overnight study in the practice's sleep rooms.
Getting off the nightly sleeping pill, gently
Many Tamarac retirees describe the same history: a prescription started during a stressful stretch, and ten years later it is still in the medicine cabinet. Sleep is not great with it, and the fear of a night without it keeps the habit going.
Dr. Ruiz begins with CBT-I, which the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends as a first treatment for chronic insomnia in adults. It addresses daytime napping, long hours spent in bed awake, and the worry that builds as bedtime approaches.
If you take a sleep medicine now, nothing is stopped suddenly. Any reduction is planned with you, step by step, and medicine stays an option when it is the right fit. Family members are welcome at the visit, and he can explain each step in 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 doctor Tamarac patients see
- Dr. Camilo Ruiz, DO, FACOI, FAASM, holds board certification in both sleep medicine and internal medicine.
- He teaches as a clinical assistant professor at the NSU, FIU and FAU medical schools.
- Visits are offered in English and in Spanish.
- Home sleep apnea testing and overnight studies in the practice's own sleep rooms are both available.
Care for patients from Tamarac
Also near the office: Las Olas, Wilton Manors, Dania Beach, Oakland Park, Lauderhill, Plantation, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Davie, Sunrise, Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Aventura, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Weston, Parkland, Boca Raton, Delray Beach
Common questions
Is there an office in Tamarac?
No. Dr. Ruiz has one office only, at 1319 S.E. 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Patients from Tamarac drive there, and many follow-ups happen by video.
Can you help if I already own a CPAP machine?
Yes. Bring the machine and mask to the visit. Dr. Ruiz can review its data and suggest changes to fit, comfort and settings.
Will I have to stop my sleeping pill right away?
No. Insomnia care starts with CBT-I, and any change to a sleep medicine is made gradually and agreed on with you first.
Can my daughter come with me and translate?
She is welcome to come, but translation is not needed. Dr. Ruiz speaks Spanish and English, so everyone can follow the conversation.
How long does the drive take from Tamarac?
Usually about 25 to 40 minutes for roughly 12 to 14 miles, via Commercial Boulevard and I-95, depending on traffic.
Written by Sleep & Internal Medicine Specialists. Last updated . This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation.
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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.