What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep. These pauses — called apneic events — can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur hundreds of times per night. The result is fragmented sleep, chronic oxygen deprivation, and a cascade of serious health consequences that extend far beyond feeling tired.
At Mediversity in Turnersville, NJ, our sleep medicine televisit program allows South Jersey patients to get evaluated, diagnosed, and treated for sleep apnea conveniently — without long wait times.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
By far the most common type. The airway physically collapses or becomes blocked during sleep — usually when the throat muscles relax and the tongue falls back. OSA accounts for the vast majority of sleep apnea diagnoses.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Caused by the brain failing to send proper signals to the breathing muscles. Less common than OSA and often associated with heart failure, stroke, or opioid use.
Complex Sleep Apnea
A combination of obstructive and central patterns, typically identified when treatment-emergent central apnea appears after starting CPAP therapy.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Symptoms You (or a Partner) May Notice
- Loud, chronic snoring — the most common complaint of sleep apnea patients’ partners
- Gasping, choking, or observed breathing pauses during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Frequent nighttime urination (nocturia)
- Restless or fragmented sleep
Daytime Symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness — falling asleep during conversations, driving, or watching TV
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
- Morning headaches
- Irritability and mood changes
- Decreased libido
- Fatigue that does not improve with more sleep
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
- Obesity: Excess weight around the neck narrows the airway — BMI above 30 is one of the strongest risk factors
- Male sex: Men are 2–3 times more likely than premenopausal women to have OSA
- Age: Risk increases with age, particularly after 40
- Neck circumference: Collar size over 17 inches (men) or 16 inches (women) increases risk
- Family history: Genetic factors affect airway anatomy
- Alcohol and sedative use: Relaxes throat muscles, worsening airway collapse
- Nasal congestion: Chronic nasal obstruction increases mouth breathing and OSA risk
- Smoking
Serious Health Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is not just a sleep inconvenience — it is a significant cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor:
- Hypertension: Sleep apnea is one of the most common reversible causes of resistant high blood pressure
- Heart disease: Associated with significantly increased risk of heart attack and cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation
- Stroke: OSA increases stroke risk by 2–3 times
- Type 2 diabetes: Disrupted sleep impairs insulin sensitivity
- Depression and anxiety: Strongly associated with untreated sleep disorders
- Motor vehicle accidents: Daytime sleepiness increases crash risk dramatically
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosis requires a sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep apnea test). At Mediversity, our sleep medicine televisit program allows patients to consult with a physician and receive a home sleep apnea test — conducted in the comfort of their own bed. This eliminates the inconvenience of an overnight sleep lab while providing accurate, physician-interpreted results.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
CPAP Therapy
The gold standard for moderate-to-severe OSA. A continuous positive airway pressure machine delivers air pressure through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep. Properly fitted and used, CPAP eliminates apneic events and dramatically improves sleep quality. Modern CPAP machines are quiet, compact, and far more comfortable than older devices.
Weight Loss
For overweight patients, meaningful weight loss can significantly reduce or even eliminate OSA. Our weight management program at Mediversity coordinates closely with sleep medicine for patients in this category.
Positional Therapy
Some patients have OSA primarily when sleeping on their back. Positional devices or pillow strategies can help.
Oral Appliances
Custom-fitted dental devices that advance the lower jaw during sleep, preventing airway collapse. A good option for mild-to-moderate OSA in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Surgical Options
Reserved for patients who fail conservative treatment. Various procedures to address anatomical causes of airway obstruction.
Sleep Medicine Televisit in South Jersey
Mediversity’s sleep medicine televisit service makes diagnosis and management of sleep disorders accessible to patients across New Jersey without long waits or travel burdens. Learn more about our sleep medicine program or schedule your sleep consultation today.