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SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Sleep Medicine
Pulmonary Critical Care
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
93 Answers
1 Agree
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Hypoglycemia: Could be due to hypoglycemia from Insulin release after eating sugar/sweets. Make an appointment with your primary doctor for a more thorough evaluat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Pleurisy: Sounds like pleurisy. Typically a transient (but painful) inflammation of the lining (pleura) of the lung. Worse with deep breaths.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Confused on question: If you're feeling overstuffed, it's likely you ate to much. The fact that you are trying to go to sleep after eating a large meal isn't a very good i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Whatever: Is most comfortable for you. That being said, people with sleep apnea/snoring tend to have worse severity when on their back. There is no one best-s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Need to taper: If coming off long term use of rivotril (clonazepam) you need to taper off it. Don't just stop it. See your prescribing doctor and have him/her come... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Two independent: Two independent issues. The snoring could be heralding possible sleep apnea. The dyspnea when you run fast could be exercise induced asthma, decondi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Could be many things: Most common causes of cough: 1) post nasal drip 2) asthma 3) gerd (or a combination of the above). See a pulmonologist if you haven't already, as th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Get enough sleep: First step to prevent it is to make sure you are getting no less than 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation and stress will increase likeli... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
See doctor: Could be sleep apnea or a disorder of hypersomnolence (idiopathic / narcolepsy). Could also be other medical issues going on. He needs to see his do... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 62-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Typically...: If you truly have rls, the first line agents are the dopaminergic agonists. There are two primarily used: ropinirole (requip) and Pramipexole (mirape... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Assistance Programs: If you don't have insurance contact your sleep physician clinic and see if they have some sort of a patient financial assistance program.
Medicat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Primary doc / GI?: I'd start with your primary doc. Perhaps it is due to medications you are taking before bed, or some other obvious cause once a good history is taken.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Pulmonary htn: Untreated sleep apnea causes strain on the heart and often low oxygen levels at night. This can lead to pulmonary hypertension (manifested by elevate... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Why tolerate?: Loud snoring can be a sign of more serious medical issues. If someone snores loudly, and is overweight, and/or is tired during the day, they may hav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Probably shouldn't: While many people are dependent on sleeping pills, it's often due to the fact that a physician hasn't taken a thorough history to try to get to the ro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Possible RLS: Restless legs syndrome could cause this, as could neuropathic pain (e.g. From diabetes, etc). Go here and see if it sounds like it may be what you ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Depends: Most snoring is worse when on the back. Also if you've been drinking. So avoiding alcohol and not sleeping on the back seem to help. Also making su... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Depends on person: Everyone's sensitivity to caffeine is different. That being said, why would you ingest a lot of caffeine if your were trying to fall asleep? Best wa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Confused: As to what you are asking. See a GI doc if you have acid reflux that's preventing you from sleeping, as it sounds like it's sub-optimally treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Many possibilities: Find a sleep specialist. Could be due to a new anxiety disorder that's manifesting. High stress levels, etc. Seeing a sleep specialist will allow h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
No: Lucid dreaming only means your are aware you are dreaming and can attempt to "control the dream content". You can't go in to a coma from lucid dream... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Depends : The active ingredient that makes you "sleep better" is Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Benadryl is an anti-histamine, with a known side-effect profile of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
See your doctor: The differential for those symptoms is long. The only way to figure out what's really going on is to see your doctor so he/she can do a thorough inta... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Take as prescribed: As long as you take the prescribed dose and are under the care of a physician, you should be just fine. Many patients are on both a benzodiazepine (l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Not necessarily: Rls is better thought of as "restless limb syndrome" in that it can affect both upper and lower extremities (though lower is much more common). It is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Not born with it: Narcolepsy is a disorder of hypersomnolence, usually presenting in late-teenage to late-20's. Many patients with narcolepsy may have a "hypocretin" d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Yes: You may be having apneic episodes shortly after or while transitioning in to sleep. Some people sense this as gasping/choking/shortness of breath. D... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Yes: There should be no issue taking these two medications together at appropriate doses.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Yes: No interaction concerns with Naproxen and melatonin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Almost certainly: Your sleep issues are almost certainly anxiety/psychiatric. Sfi is so incredibly rare, it's essentially unheard of outside of people google searching... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
May help but....: Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) is not used for rls. That being said, if you have other muscle relaxant issues, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) may hel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Multiple causes: Could be your airway collapsing (sleep apnea) as you transition from wake to sleep. Other common causes of cough that's worse/only present at night i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
No: Loratadine (claritin) is an anti-histamine. These medications can cause sedation as a side effect, but i wouldn't call it a sleeping pill. If you ne... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Yes: Lortab has hydrocodone, which has a known side effect of making some people sleepy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Possible OSA: Sounds like sleep apnea. Often time people will snort and wake themselves as they are transitioning from wake to sleep due to relaxation of the muscl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Differential is long: You need to see your pediatrician, and ideally, a pediatric sleep specialist. The differential diagnosis is long. The treatment tends to fall in to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Need more info...: You need to see a sleep specialist. If you have significant hypersomnolence, it could be due to something as simple as insufficient sleep, in which c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Clozaril (clozapine)? Yes...: If you are talking about clozaril/clozapine, then yes, it can cause drowsiness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Unlikely: Memory loss is not an uncommonly seen "side effect" of the sedative hypnotics. I'd discuss with your prescribing physician, as you may benefit from a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Depends: Without knowing your history difficult to say, but many people use Ambien (zolpidem) successfully for flights of that duration.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
You don't...: Don't force yourself to sleep at a time when you aren't tired, you will only make things worse, by driving down your sleep efficiency (tst/tib). Stay... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Delayed Sleep Phase: You likely have delayed sleep phase syndrome. You want to go to bed later and sleep in later. Commonly seen in teenagers and young adults. A combin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Pleurisy: Sounds like pleurisy. Typically transient but very painful with taking deep breaths.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Multiple possibilty: Items on differential include:
1) insufficient sleep
2) sleep apnea
3) narcolepsy
4) idiopathic hypersomnia
5) thyroid/endocrine issues
6) depre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
No: Antipsychotics like Abilify (aripiprazole) can actually make RLS worse. First line treatments for RLS are the dopaminergic agonists (ropinirole and p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Multiple issues: Are you trying to go to sleep at a time when you are tired and ready to go to sleep, or just "because it's time to go to sleep". If the latter, then ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Nicotine withdrawal: Sounds as if you are experiencing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Such symptoms generally peak in intensity 3 -5 days after you quit, and usually disap... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Could be many things: Could be sleep apnea, but sounds more like an issue with depression/anxiety and/or chronic pain that's not well treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Yes: No reason you couldn't take these two medications together in normal dosing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Summersanswered
Sleep Medicine 25 years experience
Sounds like...: This sounds like a hypnic jerk, which is nothing to be concerned about. Typically these occur as you are transitioning from wake in to sleep.
Be s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
143
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Summers is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Summers is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks a lot ! I'm taking omeprasol , fluticasone nasal spray and astepro but I'm still coughing . Can you suggest a doctor in San Jose ca ?
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thanks yes i have and went for ecg yesterday and loop recorder today.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thanks for that,my doc said I might have sleep apnea.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Nebraska College of Medicine, NE
Graduated 1998MD
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Omaha Region, NE - Summer
2013
Most Influential, Third Place, Omaha Region, NE - Summer
2013
Thought Leader, Third Place, Omaha Region, NE - Summer
2013
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