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Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a sleep disorder caused by a breathing problem. A person who has UARS usually snores a lot and may be awakened from sleep by resistance in the airway.

Unlike a person with sleep apnea, a person with UARS does not have periods when breathing stops (apnea). The most common symptom of UARS is daytime sleepiness.

Treatments for UARS include not sleeping on your back, using a device to keep the airway open, and surgery.

Current as of: December 6, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Hasmeena Kathuria, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine