Cold Weather, Stuffy Noses, and Sleepless Nights: How Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) Gets Worse in Winter

CSMA Team
Nov 11
2 min read

When the air gets crisp and the temperatures drop, many people notice they’re suddenly more tired, foggy, and unrested. While it’s easy to blame the shorter days or extra stress of the holiday season, there might be another explanation: Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS).

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At Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA), we often see a spike in patients with UARS symptoms during the colder months — and it’s not a coincidence. Seasonal changes can make breathing more difficult at night, causing poor sleep and chronic fatigue.

What Is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)?

UARS is a sleep disorder in which the airway partially narrows during sleep, increasing breathing effort without completely obstructing airflow (similar to what is seen in sleep apnea). This resistance causes frequent microarousals when you try to sleep — tiny awakenings that interrupt deep sleep, even if you never fully wake up or are aware of the interruption.

Symptoms of Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) often include:

Chronic tiredness or fatigue, even after “a full night’s sleep”
Morning headaches or jaw tension
Frequent tossing and turning
Snoring or light breathing sounds
Brain fog, irritability, or mood swings

Unlike obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), UARS can occur in people who aren’t overweight and may not show major oxygen drops on a standard or home sleep study — which is why it’s often missed or misdiagnosed.

Why Does UARS Get Worse in the Winter?

While it can occur all year round, the colder air and seasonal changes that appear this time of year can intensify UARS symptoms for several reasons:

Dry, Cold Air – Low humidity inflames nasal tissues, making it harder to breathe comfortably.
Indoor Allergens – Dust, dander, and heating systems aggravate sinus congestion.
Seasonal Illnesses – Colds and sinus infections increase airway resistance.
Holiday Stress – Elevated stress hormones tighten airways and disrupt sleep patterns.

Even mild congestion can increase resistance in the upper airway, turning minor breathing issues into nightly struggles that leave you exhausted by morning.

How Can CSMA Help with UARS?

At CSMA, our sleep specialists diagnose UARS using advanced sleep studies that measure subtle breathing changes and sleep fragmentation. Once diagnosed, we develop a personalized treatment plan that may include:

Nasal or oral airway therapies
Positional sleep guidance
Treatment for nasal congestion or allergies
Oral appliance therapy for airway support
Cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve sleep quality

Take Control of Your UARS Symptoms and Sleep Health Before the Holidays

Don’t head into the busiest time of year running on empty. If you’re constantly tired, congested, or waking up feeling unrefreshed, it could be more than “winter fatigue.”