Snoring & Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
Snoring is one of the most common sleep-related complaints, affecting millions of adults. While occasional snoring may be harmless, chronic loud snoring can disrupt sleep quality for both the individual and their bed partner and may indicate an underlying sleep-related breathing disorder.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a condition in which increased resistance within the upper airway causes repeated sleep disruptions without the complete breathing pauses seen in obstructive sleep apnea. Although oxygen levels often remain normal, repeated awakenings fragment sleep and prevent restorative rest.
Patients with UARS frequently experience many of the same symptoms as sleep apnea, including fatigue, daytime sleepiness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and poor sleep quality, yet standard sleep studies may initially appear less severe.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, our Sleep Medicine specialists evaluate chronic snoring and upper airway resistance disorders using advanced sleep testing and airway assessments to identify the cause and develop effective treatment strategies that improve sleep quality and overall health.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Many patients seek care because a spouse or family member complains about loud snoring. Others seek evaluation because of persistent fatigue despite spending sufficient time asleep.
Common symptoms include:
- Chronic loud snoring
- Non-restorative sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Brain fog
- Frequent nighttime awakenings
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Mood changes
Risk factors may include:
- Nasal obstruction
- Allergies
- Deviated nasal septum
- Enlarged tonsils
- Airway anatomy variations
- Excess weight
- Family history of sleep-disordered breathing
During your consultation, your physician will review sleep patterns, snoring severity, daytime symptoms, medical history, and airway-related concerns.
Diagnosis
Comprehensive Sleep Evaluation
Your physician will assess sleep quality, snoring severity, daytime functioning, airway symptoms, and risk factors for sleep apnea.
Sleep Studies
Diagnostic testing may include home sleep apnea testing, overnight polysomnography, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen saturation analysis. Sleep studies help determine whether symptoms result from primary snoring, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders.
Airway Evaluation
Additional assessment may include evaluation of nasal airflow, septal deviation, tonsil size, tongue position, facial structure, and upper airway anatomy. Collaboration with ENT specialists may be recommended when structural airway abnormalities contribute to symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment is individualized based on symptom severity and underlying causes.
Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
Some patients benefit from CPAP or other PAP devices that maintain airway patency throughout sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Custom oral appliances can reposition the jaw and tongue to improve airflow and reduce airway resistance.
Weight Management
For overweight individuals, weight reduction often improves breathing during sleep and decreases snoring severity.
Nasal & Airway Treatments
Treatment may include allergy management, nasal steroid therapy, treatment of chronic sinus disease, and correction of nasal obstruction.
Positional Therapy
Sleeping position can influence airway resistance and snoring severity. Some patients experience improvement by avoiding sleeping on their backs.
Surgical Options
Selected patients may benefit from procedures addressing structural airway narrowing, including nasal surgery, tonsillectomy, soft palate procedures, and other airway surgeries coordinated through ENT specialists.
Ongoing Management & Prevention
Successful long-term management focuses on maintaining healthy sleep habits and addressing contributing airway factors.
Follow-up care may include:
- Monitoring symptom improvement
- Repeat sleep testing when indicated
- PAP therapy adjustments
- Weight management support
- Treatment of nasal and allergy conditions
- Periodic airway reassessment
Many patients experience significant improvements in sleep quality, daytime energy, and overall well-being after appropriate treatment.