Signs of Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

Could this sleep disorder be causing your restless sleep and daytime exhaustion?

There are many issues and factors that can affect your quality of sleep. We all know how important sleep is and not getting the proper, restful sleep you need can be detrimental. If you find yourself dealing with insomnia, tossing and turning, or if you wake up exhausted then you could be dealing with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Don’t know what UARS is? Don’t worry; our sleep specialists in Portland and Astoria, OR, are here to tell you more.

What is UARS?

This sleep disorder occurs when the airways constrict and affect the quality of your sleep. Those with UARS don’t often know that they have this condition but will often experience persistent bouts of insomnia and extreme daytime exhaustion. Those with UARS are also more likely to snore.

What causes this sleep disorder?

The causes of UARS are actually quite similar to obstructive sleep apnea. Those with UARS may have loose tissue in the back of the throat, which is prone to collapsing and blocking the airways while asleep. In other cases, the tongue rolls back and blocks the throat throughout the night.

How is UARS different from sleep apnea?

UARS and sleep apnea seem rather similar, so one question that our sleep doctor gets often is, “What makes UARS different from sleep apnea?” While sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing throughout the night this doesn’t occur in those with UARS. Those with UARS will only experience a reduction in breathing due to airway constrictions.

While sleep apnea is also more common in men than women, UARS occurs equally in both men and women. Even though most people assume that sleep apnea is more serious, it’s important that UARS symptoms don’t go ignored, as this condition can easily progress into obstructive sleep apnea.

How is UARS treated in Portland and Astoria?

UARS is often treated in the same way as obstructive sleep apnea through a mix of lifestyle modifications and CPAP and/or oral appliance therapy.

Lifestyle modifications: This includes everything from losing weight (if necessary), quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and following good sleep habits.

Oral appliance: This custom dental appliance is used to either prevent the tissue in the throat from collapsing or the tongue from blocking the airways. It is worn at night and is custom-made to fit your mouth.

CPAP treatment: This is the most common sleep apnea treatment and can also be effective for treating symptoms of UARS. By wearing this mask over your nose and/or mouth at night this pressurized air helps keep the airways clear while you sleep.

Pacific Sleep Program is dedicated to providing comprehensive sleep medicine in both Astoria and Portland, OR. If you are experiencing symptoms of UARS then it’s time you called us today for an evaluation. We make it easier to enjoy a good night’s sleep.