Gina Johnson
Groaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes loud groaning while a person is asleep, usually during REM sleep. The groaning sound is made while exhaling and can last between two to 49 seconds. People with catathrenia usually take a deep breath in before making a long, groaning or moaning sound when they breathe out. Catathrenia is generally harmless, but it can be a nuisance to those who share a bed or room with the person with the disorder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Term | Catathrenia, Nocturnal Groaning |
| Prevalence | Rare, affecting 0.3% to 0.5% of the population |
| Age of Onset | Childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood |
| Sound | Groaning, moaning, squeaking |
| Duration | 2-49 seconds |
| Frequency | Every night |
| Awareness | Sleepers are usually unaware of the groaning |
| Cause | Unknown, possibly related to dysfunctional neurons in the brain |
| Treatment | CPAP therapy, oral appliances, surgery |
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What You'll Learn
- Groaning in your sleep may indicate a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia
- Catathrenia is generally harmless, but it can be disruptive to bed partners
- The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it may be related to breathing problems
- Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery
- If you think you may have catathrenia, a sleep study can help confirm the diagnosis
Groaning in your sleep may indicate a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. Research suggests that it could be related to malfunctioning or dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, specifically the respiratory centre (medulla oblongata). These neurons cause prolonged exhalation, resulting in the vocal cords vibrating to create a moaning or groaning sound. Other possible causes include small upper airways, small jaws, inspiratory flow limitation, and low-diversity salivary microbiota. Genetics may also play a role, with approximately 15% of people with catathrenia having a family history of the disorder.
Catathrenia is typically harmless, and most people with the disorder sleep just fine. However, it can be disruptive to bed partners or family members who share a room with the person groaning in their sleep. Treatment options are available to reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality for both the person with catathrenia and their sleeping partner. These treatments include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and, in more serious cases, adenoid or tonsil surgery. A sleep study called a polysomnogram can be used to diagnose catathrenia and rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders.
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Catathrenia is generally harmless, but it can be disruptive to bed partners
Groaning in your sleep may be a symptom of catathrenia (or nocturnal groaning), a rare disorder that causes you to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. Catathrenia is generally harmless, and people with the disorder sleep just fine. However, it can be disruptive to bed partners, who may be the first to alert the sleeper to the problem. Groaning while sleeping is the hallmark sign of catathrenia. The groaning or moaning sounds from catathrenia usually last between two seconds and 49 seconds and occur mostly during the deepest level of sleep known as REM sleep. Bed partners generally report hearing the person take a deep breath, hold it, then slowly exhale, often with a high-pitched squeak or groaning sound.
The cause of catathrenia is not well understood, but research suggests it may be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. It is classified as a chronic respiratory disorder, and people with the condition tend to have smaller jaws and smaller upper airways, which may contribute to the disorder. Catathrenia is also different from snoring, which begins in the throat, whereas catathrenia comes from the larynx or voice box.
If you or your bed partner is experiencing catathrenia, there are some treatment options available. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is one of the most common treatments for catathrenia, using a machine and mask to deliver pressurised air into a person's airway to keep it open at night, reducing the chance of snoring and groaning. Oral appliances, worn only at night, are another effective treatment option, helping to keep the upper airway open. In more serious cases, a doctor may prescribe adenoid or tonsil surgery.
If catathrenia is only a mild disturbance to your bed partner, there are some other options to consider, such as investing in sound-reducing accessories. For example, a white noise machine can help to cover the sound of groans, or sleep partners could wear earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
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The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it may be related to breathing problems
Groaning in your sleep may be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes you to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. Catathrenia is also known as "nocturnal groaning" and is characterised by a long, involuntary moan or monotone groan during sleep. It is generally harmless but can be startling, especially if the person experiencing it is unaware.
Research suggests that catathrenia may be associated with underlying sleep-related breathing problems. It is believed to be caused by dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, resulting in prolonged exhaling. People with catathrenia tend to have smaller jaws and smaller upper airways, which may contribute to the disorder. Genetics may also play a role, as nearly 15% of those with catathrenia have a family history of the condition.
Diagnosis of catathrenia is typically made through a sleep study or polysomnography, which can rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders. Treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and, in more severe cases, surgery to remove the tonsils or both the tonsils and adenoids. While catathrenia itself is not life-threatening, frequent interrupted sleep has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice if you or your bed partner are experiencing symptoms of catathrenia.
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Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery
Groaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes loud groaning or moaning while a person is asleep, usually during exhaling. People with catathrenia are often unaware of their problem, and bed partners or family members are the first to notice the strange sounds.
Catathrenia is not a concern from a health perspective, but it can be a nuisance for those sharing a room or bed with the person experiencing it. Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. Here are the details:
CPAP Therapy
CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a common treatment for sleep apnea and catathrenia. It involves using a machine and mask to deliver pressurised air into a person's airway, keeping it open during sleep and preventing respiratory disruptions. CPAP therapy can improve alertness, mood, and oxygen levels. Small studies have shown that CPAP is an effective therapy for people with catathrenia, reducing or eliminating groaning sounds.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances, similar to mouthguards or retainers, are worn at night to help keep the upper airway open. They are often prescribed when the problem is related to jaw structure or airway obstruction. Oral appliances can be used in conjunction with CPAP therapy or surgery for more effective results.
Surgery
In more serious cases of catathrenia, surgery may be an option. Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) or both the tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy) can help treat upper airway obstruction. Surgery is especially effective when combined with CPAP therapy or oral appliance use.
While catathrenia itself is harmless, it can be embarrassing and burdensome for those experiencing it and disruptive for those around them. Treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve the sleep quality of both the affected person and their bed partners.
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If you think you may have catathrenia, a sleep study can help confirm the diagnosis
Groaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes loud groaning or moaning while a person is asleep, usually during exhaling. People with catathrenia are often unaware of their condition and tend to sleep just fine, but the sounds can be disturbing to others. If you think you may have catathrenia, a sleep study called a polysomnogram or polysomnography can help confirm the diagnosis. This test is usually provided by a sleep centre and will show changes in your breathing pattern while also recording any groaning sounds. A sleep study can help rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders, as catathrenia shares symptoms with other conditions such as sleep apnea, sleep talking, and snoring.
Before undergoing a sleep study, it is recommended to first consult a healthcare provider or sleep specialist, who may examine your nose, mouth, and throat to identify any possible obstructions to breathing. They may also consider your symptoms and rule out other conditions before recommending a sleep study. If you are diagnosed with catathrenia, treatment options are available, although the condition is typically harmless and does not cause known health consequences. Treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and in more serious cases, surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.
It is important to note that catathrenia is a rare disorder, and the actual incidence and prevalence are still unknown. The condition was first reported by Belgian scientists in 1983 and has since been included in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. However, it may be underreported and underestimated due to misdiagnoses. If you are experiencing symptoms of catathrenia or if your bed partner has noticed any concerning sleep behaviours, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Groaning in your sleep may be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes loud groaning while a person is asleep, usually during REM sleep.
Catathrenia, also known as nocturnal groaning, is a chronic respiratory disorder characterised by long, involuntary moans or monotone groans while sleeping. It is generally harmless but can be startling, especially if the person is unaware they are groaning.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it may be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. It is also thought to be related to individual factors such as dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, small upper airways, small jaws, and limited airflow upon exhale.
Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. If catathrenia is causing sleep disruption, a doctor may recommend a CPAP machine to help keep airways open at night and improve breathing. Oral appliances, similar to mouthguards, can also be worn at night to keep the upper airway open. In more serious cases, surgery may be required to remove tonsils or both tonsils and adenoids.
