Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome Treatment in Baltimore, MD

Sadly, many adults and children alike in the United States are not getting the quality or quantity of sleep that they need. At PCCAB, our sleep specialists are able to treat a variety of these conditions from mild snoring all the way to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

In the middle of that spectrum exists several moderately harmful sleep disorders, which will certainly worsen over time if they are not treated. Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS)  is one such sleep disorder that begins simply, but can become especially dangerous over time if it is not addressed.

The team of sleep specialists at Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates of Baltimore are all board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine and have extensive experience diagnosing and treating upper airway resistance syndrome. If you’re struggling with UARS, contact us today to schedule an appointment in Towson or Bel Air. Give us a call at (410) 832-3400 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

What Causes UARS?

Upper airway resistance syndrome is a condition that makes it difficult for air to easily travel through the throat. This is a result of soft tissues in the throat that become too relaxed, leading to constriction of the airway and snoring.

Although snoring is not a threat to your health, it can result in insufficient sleep that often leads the individual to experience chronic fatigue during the day. The worse the snoring becomes, the greater the restriction of the person’s airway, and the more serious their health risks become.

UARS and OSA

Upper airway resistance syndrome may sound incredibly similar to obstructive sleep apnea, and that is because the two conditions are, in fact, closely related. Without proper intervention, UARS has the potential to develop into a case of OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by the same type of loud snoring that is expected in someone who has upper airway resistance syndrome, but the primary cause for concern is that OSA results in pauses in breathing throughout the night. These pauses typically last for 10-20 seconds until the brain forces the body to restart its breathing. Many people do not even realize that they stop breathing throughout the night, as they are unconscious throughout this entire process.

Related Health Risks

Recurring losses in airflow through the night can lead to a variety of negative impacts on the body, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired liver function

Individuals who lose sleep are also likely to experience day-to-day issues such as increased irritability, difficulty in staying awake, and ongoing behavioral issues.

When to Seek Treatment for UARS

If you or your partner begin to notice labored or obstructed breathing through the night, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A PCCAB sleep specialist will be able to accurately diagnose your symptoms and determine what type of treatment will work best for you. Although UARS and OSA are difficult to permanently resolve, they can both be easily managed through changes to your lifestyle and the use of airway pressure devices such as a CPAP machine.

Schedule a UARS Consultation

The sleep specialists at Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates of Baltimore have extensive experience diagnosing and treating UARS. If you’re breathing at night is labored or obstructed, it could be UARS, and you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. Give our office a call at (410) 832-3400 or request an appointment through our secure online form. The sleep specialists at PCCAB see patients with UARS from Baltimore, Towson, Owings Mills, Bel Air, Timonium, Parkville, and the surrounding area.