Sleep Apnea
Offered in East Orange and Newark, NJ
Getting the proper amount of sleep is crucial to overall health. Without it, a person may experience numerous physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and diminished memory. Dedicated to promoting better health and wellbeing, Nirvana Healthcare Management Services takes a preventative approach to diagnose and treat patients in Essex County, New Jersey, suffering from multiple sleep disorders related to sleep apnea.
Nirvana Healthcare Management Services is a central resource for those needing sleep specialists and other physicians. Patients can obtain holistic and comprehensive primary care services at four locations, including Salerno Medical Associates, Metropolitan Medical Group, Roseville Medical Society, and North Ward Medical Arts, and eligible patients may receive home wellness visits through CHOP/SHOP.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
People often focus on quantity with sleep, but quality has a more significant impact. Patients with sleep apnea experience interruptions in their breathing while resting. Instead of remaining constant, it stops and starts throughout the night. These pauses prevent the body from receiving enough oxygen, ultimately reducing the quality of their sleep. The two primary types of sleep apnea are:
Central Sleep Apnea
This sleep disorder occurs when the brain does not send the proper signals for breathing. It is typically caused by underlying health issues that impact how the brain controls the airway and chest muscles.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
More common than central sleep apnea, this condition develops when the upper airway is blocked multiple times during sleep. It may either decrease or completely close off airflow. Other aspects that may heighten the risk of experiencing this sleep disorder include old age, male sex, genetics, drinking alcohol, and smoking.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Noticing the signs of sleep apnea is challenging because they occur when a person is unaware of them. In most cases, partners will detect the symptoms before the sufferer. Some indications of sleep apnea a partner may perceive include:
- Broken breathing (stopping and starting)
- Gasping for air
- Persistent and loud snoring
Sleep apnea also affects people during their waking hours. The following are some signs of the sleep disorder a patient may see during the day:
- Diminished libido or sexual dysfunction
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Lack of energy
- Problems focusing and retaining information
- Waking up frequently in the middle of the night to urinate
Sleep apnea influences cardiovascular health and wellness, as well. Low oxygen levels can elevate the risk of irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) and make it difficult to manage blood pressure.
Sleep Study Diagnosis
We work with a diverse team of pulmonary and sleep specialists at Nirvana Healthcare Management Services and use the sleep study method to diagnose sleep apnea. During the study, the physician asks the patient to use a recording device, such as a smartphone, to better understand what happens while they sleep. They place the device beside the bed, record all night, and listen to the results in the morning. Any sounds of snoring, gasping, or choking may confirm the patient has sleep apnea.
Treating Sleep Apnea
If a patient displays risk factors for sleep apnea, the physician might suggest lifestyle changes to prevent the disorder from developing. Such recommendations include losing weight, establishing a routine for getting exercise, quitting smoking, or reducing alcohol intake.
Once a patient experiences sleep apnea, a common treatment is the CPAP oxygen machine. This device delivers continuous air pressure to the throat to ensure the airway stays open during sleep. Other breathing device options include auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines.
If a breathing device does not produce desired results, a provider might perform surgery to treat sleep apnea. Most surgeries for sleep apnea expand the airways, such as removing soft tissue from the mouth and throat or moving the upper and lower jaws. Another procedure involves inserting an implant that observes breathing patterns and helps control muscles responsible for opening the airways during sleep. Since sleep apnea may also stem from enlarged tonsils, a physician might recommend an adenotonsillectomy to take out the tonsils and adenoids.
Find a Sleep Specialist in Essex County, NJ
For over 50 years, Nirvana Healthcare Management Services has been forming long-term relationships with patients, striving to augment their overall experience by promoting seamless primary and preventative care. The organization also builds a standardization of care across multiple locations in Newark and East Orange, NJ, including Salerno Medical Associates, Metropolitan Medical Group, Roseville Medical Society, North Ward Medical Arts, and through in-home visits for eligible patients through CHOP. To learn more about treatment for sleep apnea and related sleep disorders, contact the office today.