UARS
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Sometimes referred to as severe snoring, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a common but rarely diagnosed problem that causes significant sleep disruption.
UARS occurs when the air passageway narrows so much that chest muscles and diaphragm have to work very hard to pull air into the lungs. UARS is at the midpoint of severity in breathing disorders between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. As snoring gets worse, it becomes UARS. Left untreated UARS can evolve into obstructive sleep apnea. UARS is more common among women and is typically unrelated to weight.
Often Misdiagnosed
UARS is often mistaken for other conditions and is frequently overlooked by those suffering from it. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome commonly masquerades as...
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Severe, continued tiredness not relieved by rest and not directly caused by other medical conditions.
Fibromyalgia
Long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Studies show that the vast majority of fibromyalgia sufferers have undiagnosed UARS. When UARS is properly managed, fibromyalgia pain can dramatically decrease.
Migraine
Serious headache sometimes causing nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.
Depression
Feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Sleep disorders are rarely considered by mental health professionals in relation to depression, but UARS can often be a contributing factor.
Pregnancy and UARS
Women in the third trimester of pregnancy often develop UARS as they gain weight. Studies estimate that 14 percent of women snore while 28 percent of pregnant women snore. Proper management of UARS during pregnancy has been shown to relieve the symptoms of pre-eclampsia.
