Miya Pearson
Moaning 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. The cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to individual factors like dysfunctional neurons in the brain, small upper airways, small jaws, limited airflow upon exhale, and low-diversity salivary microbiota. Treatment options are available to reduce catathrenia symptoms and help you and your sleeping partner sleep better.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the condition | Catathrenia |
| Description | A rare sleep disorder that causes moaning, groaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep |
| Occurrence | Happens during exhaling |
| Duration | 2-50 seconds |
| Frequency | Nightly |
| Sleep stage | REM and non-REM sleep |
| Symptoms | Mouth breathing, sleep interruptions, grogginess, hoarse voice, sore throat, headache, difficulty concentrating |
| Causes | Unknown, but research suggests it could be due to malfunctioning neurons in the brain at the respiratory center |
| Treatment | CPAP therapy, oral appliances, surgery, medication, therapeutic interventions, lifestyle modifications |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnogram sleep study |
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What You'll Learn
- Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder causing moaning or groaning during sleep
- Treatments: CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery
- Diagnosis: a sleep study called a polysomnogram can diagnose catathrenia
- Impact: moaning in your sleep can be embarrassing for yourself and disruptive for others
- Self-care: stress-reducing techniques, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and CBT-I can help alleviate anxiety
Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder causing moaning or groaning during sleep
Moaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder. Catathrenia causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while sleeping. The noises are usually made during exhalation and can sound like grunts or sighs. The groans can last between two and 49 seconds and can occur during REM and non-REM sleep. The sleeper is typically unaware of the sounds they are making, and it is often their bed partner or family member who first notices the problem.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is not believed to be rooted in psychological or psychiatric stress. Research suggests that it may be caused by malfunctioning neurons in the brain's respiratory centre, resulting in prolonged exhalation. When the sleeper exhales, their vocal cords vibrate, creating moaning or groaning sounds. Other possible causes include small upper airways, small jaws, limited airflow upon exhalation, and low-diversity salivary microbiota. Catathrenia often starts in childhood and affects more young men than women.
If you are concerned that you may have catathrenia, you should consult a healthcare professional. Diagnosis is usually made via a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which can show changes in breathing patterns and record groaning sounds. Treatment options are available and include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery.
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Treatments: CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery
Moaning in your sleep could be a sign of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that involves moaning or groaning during sleep. It is often more of a nuisance to those witnessing it than to the person with the disorder. While it is not considered harmful, treatments are available to reduce symptoms.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy involves the use of a machine that delivers pressurised air into the airway through a tube and mask during sleep. This therapy ensures the windpipe stays open and prevents the airway from collapsing. CPAP has been shown to resolve the symptoms of catathrenia and improve alertness during the day. However, many people find it challenging to use night after night, so other treatments may be considered.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are dental devices that treat sleep apnea by pulling your jaw or tongue forward while you sleep. They are worn only at night and can be used in conjunction with CPAP therapy. Oral appliances are typically recommended for those with mild to moderate OSA who cannot use a CPAP machine. While they are not as effective as CPAP, they do improve symptoms in some people.
Surgery
Surgery to alter structures in the mouth, nose, and throat has been performed to treat catathrenia. However, experts do not agree on whether surgery is an effective treatment. Tonsillectomy, or the removal of both the tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy), has been shown in case studies to reduce nighttime groaning symptoms, especially when used alongside a CPAP machine or oral appliance.
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Diagnosis: a sleep study called a polysomnogram can diagnose catathrenia
Moaning in your sleep could be a symptom of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia. Catathrenia is characterised by moaning, groaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep. The sounds are typically loud, slow, and drawn-out, lasting from two to forty or even forty-nine seconds. They usually occur during REM sleep but can also happen during non-REM sleep.
Catathrenia is a sleep-related breathing disorder, although it is not believed to be caused by psychological or psychiatric stress. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it may be due to malfunctioning neurons in the brain's respiratory centre, small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation. Additionally, people with catathrenia have been observed to have lower diversity in their salivary microbiota.
If you suspect you may have catathrenia, you should consult a healthcare provider. Diagnosis of catathrenia is typically made through a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which can be conducted at a sleep centre. This overnight test monitors your brain activity, breathing patterns, and how other body systems work while you sleep. The test will show changes in your breathing pattern and can record the groaning sounds. A healthcare provider may also examine your nose, mouth, and throat to identify any possible obstructions to breathing. Additionally, it is helpful to record your symptoms and observations of the groaning sounds, as this can give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of your experiences.
Treatment options are available for catathrenia, including CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. Many people also find comfort in speaking with a mental health professional if their symptoms affect their self-esteem and social interactions.
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Impact: moaning in your sleep can be embarrassing for yourself and disruptive for others
Moaning in your sleep can be a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness, as well as a disruptive issue for those sleeping nearby. The loud and unusual noises associated with this condition, known as catathrenia, can cause significant distress to both the individual and their bed partner or roommates due to disrupted rest. The embarrassment may lead to feelings of shame and a desire to hide the condition, as evidenced by one person's attempt to disguise their moans with coughing. This can result in a cycle of embarrassment and anxiety, impacting an individual's social interactions and self-esteem.
The impact of sleep moaning can be particularly noticeable in shared living situations, such as dorms, the military, or when sharing a bed with someone for the first time. It can also affect travel arrangements, as some people may opt for separate rooms to avoid embarrassment or disrupting others. The condition can be a source of laughter and teasing from family and friends, which can be upsetting and frustrating for the affected individual.
For those with catathrenia, the impact on their sleep quality and that of their bed partners can be significant. The loud moaning and groaning, which can last up to 40-49 seconds, may cause frequent sleep interruptions for both the individual and those sleeping nearby. This can result in feelings of tiredness and fatigue during the day, affecting overall productivity and well-being. The condition may also lead to self-consciousness and social anxiety, as individuals worry about the potential disruption to others and the associated embarrassment.
The disruption caused by catathrenia can lead to relationship challenges and tension with bed partners or roommates. It may cause resentment or frustration if one person's sleep is consistently disturbed, impacting their mood and daily functioning. This can create a strain on the relationship and require open communication and understanding to address the issue effectively. In some cases, bed partners may need to consider separate sleeping arrangements or the use of earplugs to mitigate the disruption and maintain their sleep quality.
While catathrenia is typically harmless, it can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected and their loved ones. The embarrassment and disruption it causes can lead to social anxiety, self-consciousness, and relationship challenges. Seeking treatment options, such as CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or surgery, can help alleviate these issues and improve sleep quality for both the individual and their bed partners.
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Self-care: stress-reducing techniques, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and CBT-I can help alleviate anxiety
Moaning in your sleep could be due to a sleep condition called catathrenia, which involves moaning or groaning while exhaling during sleep. While it can be a source of embarrassment, it is not necessarily an indication of a medical issue.
If you are experiencing anxiety related to moaning in your sleep or other concerns, self-care practices can be beneficial. Here are some techniques to consider:
Stress-reducing techniques
Developing healthy habits and stress-reducing techniques can help alleviate anxiety. This may include practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Finding what works best for you is important, as not every technique will be effective for everyone.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you focus on the present moment and manage your thoughts and emotions. This can involve techniques such as deep breathing, guided visualization, or mantra repetition to calm the mind and body.
Yoga
Yoga is a physical and mental practice that combines breathing techniques with specific body poses. It can help reduce anxiety by teaching you to focus on your breath and body positioning, quieting negative thoughts and boosting your overall mood. It is important to practice in a comfortable and safe space, discontinuing if it triggers anxiety instead of relieving it.
CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
CBT-I is a form of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia and anxiety. It helps individuals develop skills to manage their symptoms and cultivate healthy habits. CBT-I is typically provided in short-term, hour-long therapy sessions and can offer symptom reduction in as few as eight sessions.
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Frequently asked questions
Moaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a sleep-related breathing disorder.
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes strange noises, such as moaning, groaning, humming, or cracking sounds, during sleep.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown. However, research suggests it could be related to individual factors such as dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, small upper airways, small jaws, limited airflow upon exhale, and low-diversity salivary microbiota.
Catathrenia is usually diagnosed through a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which can identify changes in breathing patterns and record groaning sounds. A healthcare provider may also examine the nose, mouth, and throat for possible obstructions.
Yes, treatment options are available for catathrenia. These include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. Additionally, speaking with a mental health professional can help individuals cope with the social impact of the disorder.
