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Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS): The Overlooked Sleep Disorder That Could Be Disrupting Your Rest

If you’ve been waking up tired, struggling with brain fog, or feeling irritable despite a “full night’s sleep,” you might assume stress or poor sleep habits are to blame. But for some patients, the culprit is a little-known condition called Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS).


Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

While less widely recognized than obstructive sleep apnea, UARS can significantly affect your health, energy, and quality of life — and often goes undiagnosed for years.


What Is UARS?


UARS is a sleep disorder that occurs when the airway narrows during sleep, making it harder for air to flow into the lungs. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, UARS doesn’t always cause complete pauses in breathing. Instead, it leads to repeated episodes of increased breathing effort and disrupted sleep, even if oxygen levels stay relatively normal.


Over time, these interruptions can prevent you from reaching deep, restorative stages of sleep, leaving you chronically fatigued.


Signs and Symptoms of UARS


Because UARS symptoms are subtle, many people don’t realize they have a sleep-related breathing disorder. Common signs include:

  • Daytime fatigue or sleepiness despite enough hours in bed

  • Frequent headaches, especially in the morning

  • Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”

  • Irritability, anxiety, or mood swings

  • Unexplained high blood pressure

  • Light snoring or none at all

  • Frequent nighttime awakenings


How UARS Differs from Sleep Apnea


  • Sleep Apnea: Often includes loud snoring, noticeable breathing pauses, and significant drops in oxygen levels.

  • UARS: Airflow is restricted, but oxygen levels often remain normal, making it harder to detect without specialized testing. Both conditions can lead to similar daytime symptoms, but UARS is often missed in routine screenings.


Difference between OSA and UARS

Why UARS Shouldn’t Be Ignored


Even without dramatic oxygen drops, UARS still stresses your cardiovascular system, disrupts hormonal balance, and impacts brain function. Left untreated, it may contribute to:

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome

  • Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression

  • Increased cardiovascular risk over time


Diagnosis and Treatment at CSMA


Diagnosing UARS requires a comprehensive sleep evaluation, often including a polysomnography (sleep study) that measures subtle changes in breathing effort and sleep patterns.


At Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates, our team uses advanced diagnostic tools to identify UARS and tailor treatment. Solutions may include:

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy

  • Oral appliance therapy

  • Myofunctional therapy to strengthen airway muscles

  • Lifestyle modifications such as weight management and nasal breathing support


Contact Houston Sleep Medicine provider CSMA for sleep evaluation

Getting Your Sleep — and Life — Back


Sleep isn’t just about the number of hours you’re in bed; it’s about the quality of rest you get each night. If you suspect UARS or another sleep disorder is disrupting your life, don’t wait to seek help.


At CSMA, we’re here to help you breathe easier, sleep more deeply, and wake up ready for the day ahead.


Think you might have UARS? Contact Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates today to schedule your evaluation and take the first step toward better sleep and better health.


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