What is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and how is it treated?

Also known as UARS, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome is a condition where the soft tissue in your throat relaxes and disrupts breathing. Proven treatment is with CPAP.

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What is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)?

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Also known as UARS, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome is a condition where the soft tissue in your throat relaxes to the point where it disrupts your ability to breathe during sleep. Thankfully, it’s not as severe as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (or OSA). 

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First discovered at Standford Univerisity, UARS results in sleep disruptions and daytime fatigue, and sleepiness.

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Symptoms of UARS Include: 

  • Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
  • Snoring
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Problems falling asleep
  • Memory and recall issues

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Is UARS the same as sleep apnea?

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Although the symptoms are similar, UARS is less severe than sleep apnea. The main difference between the two is pauses in breathing. People with obstructive sleep apnea have frequent episodes of disrupted breathing, whereas people with UARS do not. 

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The average weight of an individual also plays a role. You are more at risk of having obstructive sleep apnea if you are overweight. 

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Without proper intervention, UARS can later become sleep apnea. 

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UARS isn’t diagnosed on your own, however. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we’d recommend talking to your doctor about a sleep test (a polysomnogram or sleep study).

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During the test, your doctor will be able to tell if you have UARS based on your recorded information from brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, and other movements. 

How is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome Treated?

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Thankfully, UARS is easily treated successfully every night. Positive Airway Pressure (or PAP) devices are the most effective at treating UARS. 

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Although there are certain oral appliances you can wear to prevent your soft tissue from collapsing - and even surgeries - CPAP machines offer the most reliable treatment possible. 

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The Evolution of CPAP Technology

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When you think of a CPAP Mask, what do you imagine? Perhaps you think of a bulky, uncomfortable mask with a noisy machine next to you all night. How then do people with UARS and sleep apnea get to sleep?

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Thankfully, this isn’t the case with modern CPAP machine technology at all. 

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There are smaller, lightweight, and more comfortable CPAP masks that are suited for a variety of different people. From nasal masks and nasal pillow masks, there are plenty of choices to choose from if you’re a back, side, or varied sleeper. 

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CPAP Machines have also taken a stride in innovation. They are designed to be small, and quiet and some are even meant specifically for travelling. 

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