Upper airway resistance syndrome

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a sleep disorder characterized by the narrowing of the airway that can cause disruptions to sleep. It is considered a variant of sleep apnea and shares some similarities in symptoms and treatment options.

Symptoms

The symptoms of UARS include:

• Unrefreshing sleep
• Fatigue or sleepiness during the day
• Chronic insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent awakenings during the night
• Snoring

Diagnosis

UARS can be diagnosed through a sleep study, specifically by polysomnograms capable of detecting Respiratory Effort-related Arousals (RERAs). RERAs are episodes of increased respiratory effort leading to brief arousals from sleep, which are not severe enough to be classified as apneas or hypopneas. The detection of RERAs can help differentiate UARS from other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Treatment

Treatment for UARS can include:

• Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, regular exercise, and proper sleep hygiene can help alleviate symptoms of UARS.
• Orthodontics: In some cases, orthodontic treatment can help correct jaw or bite abnormalities that contribute to airway narrowing.
• Surgery: Surgical procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or genioglossus advancement (GA), can help improve airway patency.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy: CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth during sleep, which delivers a constant flow of air to keep the airway open. This treatment is commonly used for sleep apnea and can also be effective in treating UARS.

Relationship with Sleep Apnea

UARS is considered a variant of sleep apnea, as both conditions involve disruptions to normal breathing during sleep. However, UARS is distinct from sleep apnea in that it is characterized by increased respiratory effort and arousal, rather than the complete or partial cessation of airflow observed in apneas and hypopneas. UARS may progress to sleep apnea over time if left untreated.

Upper airway resistance syndrome Resources
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