Still Tired After a Full Night’s Sleep? It Could Be Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome.​

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If you’re waking up exhausted, battling brain fog, or struggling with mood swings despite getting 7–9 hours of sleep, you may be experiencing a little-known condition called Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, UARS can be harder to detect — but it can still have a serious impact on your health and well-being.​

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What Is UARS?

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Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome occurs when the airway partially narrows during sleep, creating resistance that makes breathing more difficult. While it may not cause complete pauses in breathing like sleep apnea, UARS still forces your body to work harder to get air, disrupting your ability to reach deep, restorative stages of sleep.

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Key Facts:

• Airflow is restricted, but oxygen levels often remain normal.

• Sleep is fragmented by micro-arousals (brief awakenings you may not remember).

• Daytime fatigue and cognitive issues can develop over time.

 

Think of UARS as the “sneaky sibling” of sleep apnea: it may not always show up on a basic sleep study or with loud snoring, but the effects are very real.

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Common Symptoms of UARS

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Because UARS often affects light sleepers and people with smaller airways (including many women and young adults), it can go unrecognized for years. If you experience any of the following, it could be a sign of UARS:

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• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep

• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog

• Frequent nighttime awakenings or tossing and turning

• Light, unrefreshing sleep

• Headaches, especially in the morning

• Mood changes such as irritability or anxiety

• Snoring (may be light or inconsistent)

• Frequent nasal congestion or mouth breathing

 

 

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How UARS Affects Sleep​

 

Healthy sleep is made up of several stages, including deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) and REM sleep, both of which are critical for physical recovery and brain function. In UARS, the extra effort needed to breathe can prevent you from entering or maintaining these restorative stages.

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This can lead to:

• Persistent fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability and mood changes

• Reduced immune function

• Long-term cardiovascular strain

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How UARS Affects Your Health

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Left untreated, UARS can contribute to a range of issues beyond poor sleep. Chronic fatigue, mood disturbances, cardiovascular stress, and even hormone imbalances can all stem from nightly airway resistance. Over time, UARS may progress to obstructive sleep apnea if not properly addressed.

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Diagnosis and Treatment at CSMA

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At CSMA, we use advanced diagnostic tools—including polysomnography (comprehensive sleep studies) and airway resistance monitoring—to detect and confirm UARS, even in complex cases.

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Treatment may include:

• CPAP or BiPAP therapy (often at lower pressures than used for sleep apnea)

• Oral appliance therapy to keep the airway open

• Positional therapy to improve breathing while sleeping

• Myofunctional therapy or ENT referrals for anatomical issues

• Lifestyle guidance, including weight management and sleep hygiene

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Don’t Settle for “Just Being Tired”

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If you’ve been told your sleep study was "normal" but you still wake up feeling exhausted, you’re not imagining things. UARS could be the missing piece of the puzzle. You don’t have to live with fatigue, brain fog, or restless nights. If you suspect UARS, we can help you breathe easier, sleep more deeply, and feel better every day.

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📞 Call CSMA or schedule an appointment today to speak with one of our sleep specialists. With the right diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, better sleep—and better days—are possible.

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