Dr. Mara Cvejic, DO

Dr. Mara Cvejic, DO is a Sleep Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Lakeland, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she understands that your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. She creates personalized long-term health plans, coordinates necessary screenings, and manages your overall wellness through collaboration with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists. Dr. Cvejic serves all ages and is committed to evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their health journey. Please call (863) 680-7000 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Mara Cvejic, DO is a sleep medicine internist in Lakeland, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. She brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. Dr. Cvejic earned her medical degree from Midwestern University in 2008 and is Board Certified in Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology, and Board Certified in Sleep Medicine, both by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. Her commitment to collaborative care, combined with her extensive training, ensures patients receive the highest quality, evidence-based care, tailored to their unique needs. Dr. Cvejic provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Mara Cvejic is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Mara Cvejic can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Mara Cvejic provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Sleep Apnea: Catching sleep apnea early and taking appropriate action—whether it's lifestyle adjustments or medical treatment—can prevent or delay the onset of many serious health issues, safeguarding your future.
• Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Addressing ADHD in adults is crucial for preventive health because untreated ADHD often leads to poor sleep quality, impacting daily life and increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
• Neuromuscular Diseases: Neuromuscular diseases can disrupt sleep, so early diagnosis and management are crucial for preventing sleep disturbances and their associated health problems.
• Pain Disorder: If pain keeps you awake at night, it's a sign to seek professional help; effectively managing pain is vital in preventing long-term sleep problems and related health risks.
• Behavioral Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder: Addressing behavioral symptoms associated with social anxiety can improve your overall well-being and support healthy sleep patterns for better long-term health.
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder: For children with ODD, ensuring consistent sleep routines and addressing behavioral challenges can help establish healthy sleep habits to prevent sleep-related health complications.
• Mild Headache: Persistent mild headaches might disrupt your sleep, impacting your overall health and well-being; seeking evaluation helps manage this and prevent chronic issues.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Mara Cvejic offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Sleep Study: Protecting your long-term health starts with a sleep study, a simple procedure that helps diagnose sleep disorders early, leading to effective treatment and improved quality of life.
• Turbinate Reduction: To alleviate snoring and sleep apnea, turbinate reduction may be considered as a surgical option to increase nasal airflow.
• Psychotherapy and Psychophysiological Therapy (incl. Biofeedback): Take control of your sleep with psychotherapy and psychophysiological therapy, addressing underlying mental and physical factors contributing to sleep problems and improving your overall well-being.
• Biofeedback: Early detection of sleep disturbances is key: biofeedback helps you understand your body's sleep-wake patterns and develop self-management strategies for improved sleep hygiene.
• Marital Counseling: Strengthen your relationship and improve your sleep by proactively addressing communication and conflict resolution challenges through marital counseling.
• Life Coaching: Enhance your sleep hygiene and develop sustainable healthy habits with life coaching, a personalized approach to improving your sleep health and reducing the risk of sleep disorders.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Take a proactive step towards better sleep by exploring psychodynamic therapy, which can help uncover and address underlying emotional issues contributing to insomnia or other sleep problems.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Mara Cvejic is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding their sleep apnea risk factors and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed their sleep and significantly reduced their risk of future health problems. This proactive approach gave them the confidence to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
• Recognizing the link between ADHD and sleep, a patient proactively addressed potential challenges, significantly reducing the risk of associated health concerns and improving daily well-being. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to take control of their health journey.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Mara Cvejic:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor with advanced training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Often coming from backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying the root cause of your sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is a critical step in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

During a sleep study, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, allowing us to accurately diagnose sleep disorders. This is the gold standard for effective prevention planning.

Why would a Neurologist be involved in my sleep care?

Neurologists, like Dr. Cvejic, specialize in the brain and nervous system. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep disorders stemming from the brain's control centers, including narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain struggles to regulate sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and potentially cataplexy. While there's no cure, a sleep specialist can create a personalized management plan using medication and lifestyle strategies to help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

What is the difference between a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab study?

A home sleep apnea test is a simpler screening tool for straightforward obstructive sleep apnea. An in-lab study is a more comprehensive test needed for complex cases or to diagnose other sleep disorders like narcolepsy or parasomnias.

Can lifestyle changes like weight loss help sleep apnea?

Yes, significantly. Excess weight can narrow the airway, and for many patients, even a moderate amount of weight loss can dramatically reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea, preventing the need for other therapies.

What is an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device, similar to a mouthguard, made by a specially trained dentist. It gently shifts the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. This can be a comfortable and portable alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 680-7000

Dr. Mara Cvejic, DO is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1720246317

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Mara Cvejic are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.