Snoring Without Sleep Apnea? It Might Be Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

Not every snore means sleep apnea — and not every restless night is caused by stress. If you’re constantly tired, but your sleep study says “normal,” there may be another explanation: Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS).

At Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA), we help patients uncover the hidden cause behind their exhaustion — often discovering UARS in people who have struggled for years without answers.

What Is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) — and How Is It Different from Sleep Apnea?

UARS occurs when the airway partially collapses during sleep, forcing your body to work harder to breathe. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, your oxygen levels may not drop drastically — but your brain still senses the strain, causing micro-arousals that fragment sleep.

Key Differences Between UARS and Sleep Apnea:

	UARS	Sleep Apnea
Airflow	Partially restricted	Fully or nearly stopped
Oxygen Levels	Usually normal	Often decreased
Body Type	Common in all body types	More common in overweight individuals
Symptoms	Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and light snoring	Loud snoring, gasping, and excessive sleepiness

The result? You wake up feeling unrefreshed, even though you “slept all night.”

Common Signs You Might Have Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

Many people with UARS describe themselves as “light sleepers” or “poor sleepers.” Symptoms often include:

• Constant fatigue despite 7–8 hours of sleep

• Morning headaches or jaw tension

• Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability

• Snoring without gasping or pauses

• Trouble focusing during the day

Because UARS doesn’t cause dramatic oxygen drops, it can go undetected in standard sleep studies unless specifically measured for subtle breathing effort.

Why Diagnosing UARS Matters

Left untreated, UARS can progress to more severe breathing disorders and has been linked to:

• Chronic fatigue and depression

• TMJ and jaw pain

• Cardiovascular strain

• Poor memory and attention

The good news? With the proper diagnosis and treatment, these symptoms can improve dramatically.

CSMA’s Approach to Diagnosing and Treating UARS

At CSMA, our specialists use advanced sleep diagnostics to detect UARS, even in patients who’ve had “normal” results elsewhere. We then create an individualized plan that may include:

• Lifestyle & positional therapies to reduce airway resistance

• Treatment for nasal congestion or allergies

• Oral appliance therapy to gently open the airway

• Sleep coaching to restore deeper, restorative sleep

This comprehensive approach helps patients finally feel rested, alert, and in control of their days again.

Don’t Ignore the Subtle Signs

If you’ve been told your sleep study looked normal, but you’re still exhausted, don’t settle for “fine.” It could be UARS.

📞 Schedule your evaluation today with Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA) and uncover the real reason behind your restless nights.