Uppper Airway Resistance Syndrome | CSMA - Greater Houston and Austin

When Breathing Isn't Easy—Even If You're Asleep

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a lesser-known but impactful sleep disorder that can leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and frustrated—even after what seems like a full night’s rest. At CSMA, we specialize in identifying and treating subtle sleep disturbances like UARS that often go undiagnosed but significantly affect quality of life.

What Is UARS?

UARS occurs when the airway becomes partially blocked during sleep—not enough to stop breathing entirely (as in obstructive sleep apnea), but enough to make your body work harder to breathe. This increased effort disrupts deep, restorative sleep and activates the body’s stress response throughout the night.

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.

Common Symptoms of UARS

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:

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

UARS vs. Sleep Apnea

While both UARS and sleep apnea involve airway resistance, the key difference is severity:

How UARS Affects Your Health

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.

Diagnosis and Treatment at CSMA

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.

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

Don’t Settle for “Just Being Tired”

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.

📞 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.

👉 Schedule your evaluation now »