A Breathtaking Wake-Up Call
At age 35, this man’s longtime sleep apnea was finally diagnosed and treated, thanks to a particularly alert pulmonary specialist at Riverview Medical Center who sensed the underlying cause of his patient’s health problems right away

No longer fatigued during the day, Anthony Caviglia is now enjoying a heightened focus and a higher energy level at home, at work, and while volunteering as a firefighter in Shrewsbury.

Anthony Caviglia didn’t recall having trouble sleeping, but he had been told that he snored terribly for more than 15 years. There were other signs that went unnoticed. He often woke up with calf muscles that were so stiff that he struggled to walk each morning. He regularly felt tired, and his family even joked that he could fall into a deep sleep anywhere, anytime, in a matter of seconds. He’d nod off while reading a book to his children or while at work. Even more frightening, Anthony would find himself falling asleep behind the wheel of his car and would have to pull over to the side of the road to rest on a frequent basis.

But it wasn’t until Anthony sought medical attention for frequent bouts of bronchitis that his sleep disorder was detected. During a visit to boardcertified pulmonologist Adrian M. Pristas, M.D., at Riverview Medical Center, Anthony was advised to get tested for sleep apnea. "I was amazed at how sensitive Dr. Pristas was to this condition," says the Shrewsbury resident. "He suspected it immediately and sent me for a sleep study."

Searching for a Good Night’s Rest
Riverview Medical Center offers two locations for sleep studies: the Sleep Disorder Center, located within the Medical Center, and the Snoring and Sleep Disorder Center, in Holmdel. Rooms are outfitted with private bathrooms, televisions, carpeting, and full-sized beds, in a warm and comfortable setting. Anthony had his study performed at the Red Bank location. "The room was dynamite," he declares. "I was expecting a regular hospital room, but it was just like being at home."

Upon arriving at the Sleep Disorder Center at 9:00 p.m., Anthony was hooked up to the monitoring equipment and went to sleep. By 1:00 a.m., the technician had seen enough and woke Anthony. His apnea was so severe that he stopped breathing 60 times per hour. He was immediately placed on a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for the remainder of the night.

CPAP is a procedure in which the patient wears a mask over the nose during sleep, and pressure from an air blower forces air through the nasal passages. Anthony admits it took some getting used to, but his first full night using CPAP was followed by his first morning without leg cramps, because his body was finally getting enough oxygen.

A New Quality of Life
Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that is quite common. "Sleep apnea can be associated with heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure," says Dr. Pristas. "There are also social implications, like poor work performance, stress at home, and the potential for car accidents."

Anthony now uses CPAP every night and credits it with improving almost all aspects of his life. His ability to now sleep well means that he has great energy levels throughout the day, which makes for quality time with his family and more efficiency at work. His newfound energy has led to increased activity, resulting in a 30-pound weight loss and overall better health.

"Dr. Pristas and the CPAP machine changed my life," Anthony exclaims. "The benefits are limitless."

– Donna Sellmann

About The Doctor

Pristas, Adrian M., M.D. Board certified in Pulmonology Rumson, NJ  07760 (732) 747-3666