Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) in Austin, TX
Helping You Breathe Easier and Sleep Better
Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? You may have Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) — a sleep-related breathing disorder that often goes undiagnosed. At Sinus & Snoring Specialists in Austin, TX, Dr. Daniel Slaughter and Dr. Ryan Salvador provide expert diagnosis and advanced treatment options to restore restful, healthy sleep.
What is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)?
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is a condition where the patient has significant snoring, which occurs when the airway partially narrows during sleep. It’s not enough to cause a complete blockage, but it is sufficient to restrict airflow. These subtle interruptions can disturb your sleep cycles, leaving you tired, foggy, and unrefreshed even after a full night’s rest.
Unlike obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), UARS doesn’t always cause significant oxygen drops, making it easy to overlook without specialized testing.
UARS vs. Sleep Apnea
| Feature | UARS | Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow obstruction | Partial | Complete or near-complete |
| Oxygen levels | Usually normal | Often decreased |
| Snoring | Light to severe | Light to severe |
| Sleep disruption | None to significant | None to significant |
| Typical patient | Maybe thin or obese | Thin or Obese. More likely if obese |
Although UARS is less severe than sleep apnea, its long-term impact on energy, focus, and cardiovascular health can be just as significant if left untreated.
causes of UARS
UARS typically occurs when structural or functional factors narrow the airway during sleep. Common causes include:
- Nasal & sinus blockage
- Long, floppy soft palate
- Large tongue
- Weight gain
- Large tonsils
Sleep hygiene factors also contribute, such as drinking alcohol before bed and sleeping on your back.
Signs you may be suffering from UARS
Snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness are the main symptoms. The bed partner may also witness a partial cessation of breathing. Our physicians personally perform a thorough evaluation in the office, including a physical exam, nasal endoscopy, CT sinus, as well as an HST (home sleep study) to diagnose this condition.
UARS treatments
We offer a range of non-surgical and minimally invasive solutions to improve airflow and sleep quality.
Non-Surgical Options
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Lifestyle modifications: Weight management, positional therapy, and sleep hygiene
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Allergy management: To reduce nasal congestion and inflammation
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Oral appliances or CPAP therapy: For selected patients needing breathing support
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Nasal and sinus procedures, which can now be performed as simple office procedures under IV sedation, can help tremendously. Our in-office treatments include the following:
At Sinus and Snoring Specialists, we have a state-of-the-art office procedure room where we can correct these issues with the comfort of IV sedation. Typically, a 15-minute office procedure is all that is needed to correct the issue causing your snoring and UARS. There is minimal recovery, and patients usually can work the next day.
These procedures work to address the obstruction in the nasal airway and the throat. The general principle is that nasal and sinus blockage will cause rapid and turbulent airflow as the airflow goes through the nasal airway. This is called the Bernoulli principle.
Anytime flow is forced through a narrow area, there will be faster and more turbulent flow, just like putting your thumb over a garden hose causes the water to exit fast and turbulent. This rapid and turbulent flow goes from the back of the nose into the throat and beats the soft palate and uvula like a sail in the wind, causing snoring. It will also produce a negative pressure in the back of the throat that will pull the tongue back into the airway, causing an obstruction. Nasal blockage also tends to cause an open mouth posture that allows the jaw to fall backward and enhances the possibility of the tongue occluding the airway.
Balloon sinuplasty, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and nasal polyp removal all enhance the daytime breathing for the patient, but they will also significantly reduce the amount of rapid and turbulent airflow and therefore reduce both snoring, UARS, and obstructive sleep apnea.
In rare circumstances, a UPPP may further assist by making the soft palate higher and stiffer, opening the airway, and reducing snoring and apnea. This is predominantly when the uvula has been stretched too long.
Also, in rare circumstances, large tonsils may need to be removed to further open the airway. This is done as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.
Oral appliances can also be very effective for the tongue base. Weight loss and sleep hygiene are also important.
Dangers of untreated UARS
There are medical risks such as hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, weight gain, and others, but they are less common with UARS than with sleep apnea. The main issues are excessive daytime sleepiness, poor daytime performance, relationship issues, and increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Schedule a Consultation
For more information about Upper Airway Resistance System (UARS) treatments, call 512.601.0303 to schedule a consultation. Our practice serves Austin and the surrounding areas in Texas.
