Demystifying Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by increased resistance to airflow in the upper airway during sleep. Patients with UARS have narrowed airways and other anatomical differences that affect breathing when sleeping. As a result, UARS sufferers experience daytime fatigue and decreased quality of life because of poor sleep quality.  

Do you suspect that you may have UARS and you are in the Sarasota/Manatee area? This sleep disorder may be less severe than obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it still needs treatment. Without treatment, it lowers quality of life and increases the risk of systematic issues like heart disease and hypertension. To get UARS treatment, schedule an appointment with Dr. Francisco Marcano at Sarasota Center for General Dentistry.

UARS symptoms

Like sleep apnea, UARS affects your breathing, often disrupting your sleep as your brain has to arouse you from sleep to take stronger breaths. Many patients with UARS experience nighttime awakenings, although other people experience the harrowing effects of UARS the following day after a night of disrupted sleep.

The common symptoms of UARS include:

  • Daytime exhaustion
  • Chronic snoring
  • Signs of depressions
  • Morning headaches
  • Diminished quality of life because of fragmented sleep
  • Unexplained nighttime wake-ups

Although UARS doesn’t cause apnea (complete stoppage of breathing), it has devastating effects on your health when it occurs night after night. When left untreated, UARS can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, mental conditions, and other complications.

Causes of UARS

Many patients with UARS have anatomical differences in their upper airway, causing difficulty breathing when sleeping. The narrowing of the areas between the uvula and soft palate causes resistance in the upper airway, disrupting your healthy breathing and sleep. 

You may also be at an increased risk of developing UARS if you have. 

  • Excessive weight
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Pregnancy
  • Jaw problems like small jaw (micrognathia) and pulled back jaw (retrognathia) 

Treatment options for UARS syndrome

Since UARS shares close ties with sleep apnea, several treatments effective for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can also be beneficial for UARS. Below are potential options to consider.

  • CPAP therapy: A CPAP machine uses a mask placed over your nose, mouth, or both. This machine emits pressured air in the upper airway to aid healthy breathing while sleeping. 
  • Mandibular advancement device (MAD): Pulling your lower jaw even a few millimeters forward can improve airflow into your lungs while keeping the airway relaxed as you sleep.
  • Surgery: This option is preferable if you don’t respond to the treatments above or have structural issues that can only be corrected with surgery. Surgery corrects anatomical abnormalities that contribute to airway obstruction during sleep.

Are you looking for UARS treatment in Sarasota, FL? Call (941) 900-3555 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Marcano at Sarasota Center for General Dentistry. Dr. Marcano and our experienced team provide a range of sleep-related breathing disorder treatments, ensuring you receive comprehensive care tailored to your needs. Trust your health to our dedicated professionals.