Evie Summers
Many people make weird noises when falling asleep, from humming to groaning, and this can be caused by a rare sleep-related breathing disorder called catathrenia. Catathrenia is not usually a serious condition, but it can be disruptive to your bed partner and may prevent you from getting a good night's rest. It is characterised by long, slow groans or moans that occur when exhaling, and these sounds can last from a few seconds to nearly a minute. While the exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, it is believed to be related to dysfunctional neurons in the brain's respiratory centre, small upper airways, small jaws, or limited airflow. If you suspect you may have catathrenia, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the condition | Catathrenia |
| Cause | Not well understood, but may be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Some theories suggest that it may be related to dysfunctional neurons in the brain's respiratory center, small upper airways, small jaws, or limited airflow. |
| Symptoms | Long, slow groans or moans during sleep, described as humming or roaring. |
| Occurrence | Rare, affects children and adults, more common in people assigned male at birth. |
| Treatment | CPAP therapy, oral appliances, surgery in some cases. |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnography or a sleep test, physical examination. |
| Similar conditions | Sleep talking, snoring, OSA. |
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What You'll Learn
Catathrenia, a sleep-related breathing disorder, may be the cause
The exact cause of catathrenia is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. Research suggests that it may be linked to dysfunctional neurons in the brain's respiratory center, resulting in slow, long exhalations that manifest as groaning or moaning. Other potential factors include small jaws, small upper airways, and limited airflow. Additionally, there may be a genetic component, as some people with catathrenia have family members who also exhibit similar sleep behaviours.
Catathrenia can affect both adults and children, and it is more commonly observed in individuals assigned male at birth. The condition can be diagnosed through an overnight sleep study or a polysomnogram, which can identify abnormal breathing patterns and record the groaning sounds. Treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances to support the jaw, and in some cases, surgery to remove obstructions in the upper airway.
While catathrenia is typically not a symptom of serious underlying health issues, it can disrupt sleep patterns and affect overall sleep quality. If you or someone close to you exhibits persistent symptoms of catathrenia, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
If the humming is not a cause for concern and only a mild disturbance, there are sound-reducing accessories that can be used, such as white noise machines, earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones.
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It could be a sign of OSA or other sleep disorders
Humming in your sleep could be a sign of catathrenia, a rare sleep-related breathing disorder. Catathrenia causes sleepers to make groaning, moaning, humming, or cracking sounds while exhaling. While the cause of catathrenia is not well understood, it may be associated with underlying sleep-related breathing problems, such as OSA.
People with catathrenia may experience daytime sleepiness and sore throats, indicating that their sleep is being interrupted, even if they are unaware of it. Catathrenia can also mask OSA or other sleep disorders, such as parasomnia (sleepwalking or sleep talking). If you or your bed partner notice snoring, paused breathing, or other potential sleep disorders, it is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional.
An overnight sleep study can often be used to diagnose catathrenia and rule out other sleep disorders. Treatments for catathrenia include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and surgery to remove obstructions in the throat or airways. While catathrenia is typically not a symptom of serious underlying health problems, it can disrupt your bed partner's sleep and affect your overall sleep quality.
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, such as loud humming or moaning during sleep, disrupted sleep, or concerns from your bed partner or family members, it is recommended to seek medical advice. A doctor can help rule out other potential causes and recommend tailored treatment options, which may include lifestyle modifications, therapeutic interventions, or medication.
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It may be related to problems with neurons in the brain
Humming in your sleep could be a symptom of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, also known as nocturnal groaning. People with catathrenia make long, slow groaning or moaning sounds when they exhale, which can also be described as humming or roaring. The cause of catathrenia is not yet well understood, but it is classified as a sleep-related breathing disorder, similar to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Catathrenia is often first noticed by a bed partner or family member, as the sleeper themself is often unaware of the noises they are making. The disorder can be disruptive to those sleeping nearby, and it may also prevent the person with catathrenia from getting a fully restful night's sleep. If you or your bed partner notice snoring, pauses in breathing, or other potential sleep disorders, it is important to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional.
While the exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, one theory suggests that it may be related to problems with neurons in the brain's respiratory centre. These neurons may be dysfunctional and cause slow, long exhalations that result in the groaning or humming sounds associated with catathrenia. Other factors that may contribute to catathrenia include having a small jaw, small upper airways, or limited airflow. Additionally, there may be a genetic component, as some people with catathrenia have a family member with the condition.
If you suspect that you may have catathrenia, it is recommended to seek medical advice. A doctor can conduct a thorough evaluation, including a review of your medical history and a physical examination. They may also recommend a sleep study, such as polysomnography or a polysomnogram, to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options for catathrenia include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and surgery in some cases.
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It could be genetic
Humming in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes people to make groaning, humming, or cracking sounds while sleeping. People with catathrenia are often unaware of their condition and only learn about it when informed by a family member or sleep partner. While the exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, some scientists believe that there may be a genetic component to the disorder, as some people with catathrenia have a close relative who also exhibits similar behaviours.
Research suggests that catathrenia may be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. It is classified as a sleep-related breathing disorder, similar to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and can be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or surgery to remove tissue in the throat or airways. Catathrenia is not usually considered a serious condition, but it can disrupt the sleep of those around you and may prevent you from getting a fully restful night's sleep.
If you suspect that you may have catathrenia, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and management of your symptoms. A doctor may recommend a sleep test or polysomnography to rule out other similar sleep disorders and confirm a diagnosis of catathrenia. Treatment options can then be discussed and tailored to your specific needs, which may include lifestyle modifications, therapeutic interventions, or medication.
While the potential genetic link between catathrenia and sleep-related humming requires further investigation due to the rarity of the disorder, it is important to recognise that sleep-related vocalizations can have a variety of causes, and a healthcare professional can provide guidance to help improve your sleep quality and that of your bed partners.
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It could be stress-related
While the exact causes of humming in your sleep are not well understood, it could be related to catathrenia, a rare sleep-related breathing disorder. Catathrenia causes people to make long, slow groaning or moaning sounds when they exhale, which can sometimes manifest as humming or roaring. People with catathrenia may also experience daytime sleepiness and a sore throat in the morning, indicating that their sleep is being interrupted even if they are not aware of it.
There is some anecdotal evidence that stress may trigger catathrenia. However, there is no strong evidence that stress or other psychological factors are responsible for the onset of this rare sleep disorder. Some people have reported that they notice they hum more when their body is under stress, such as when they are sick, sleep-deprived, hungry, or have had a sudden increase in exercise.
If you are concerned about humming in your sleep, it may be helpful to evaluate your sleep environment. Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet, and consider investing in a comfortable mattress, pillows, or a weighted blanket to support good sleep posture. Weighted blankets, for example, can help relax your body and ensure that anxiety stays at bay so that it does not impede calm, restorative rest.
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms or concerns about your sleep patterns, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and management of your sleep concerns. A doctor can help rule out other potential causes and recommend treatment options, which may include lifestyle modifications, therapeutic interventions, or medication.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, which causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make other noises while sleeping. Catathrenia is classified as a sleep-related breathing disorder, similar to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
People with catathrenia usually don't realise they have it. Typically, a family member or sleep partner will inform them about the noises they make in their sleep. If you think you might have catathrenia, you should consult a doctor or healthcare professional, who may recommend a sleep study or test to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments for catathrenia include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances such as a customised mouthpiece, and in some cases, surgery to remove obstructions in the throat or airways.
