Colin Snow
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to groan, moan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. It is generally harmless and is believed to be caused by a breathing problem. The groaning sounds are made during exhalation and can last between two and 50 seconds, occurring mostly during REM sleep. People with catathrenia usually do not realize they have the disorder, and it is often their sleep partners or family members who inform them about the noises they make. While catathrenia is not dangerous to physical health, it can affect sleep quality and interpersonal relationships, causing stress and social embarrassment. Treatment options are available, including the use of CPAP machines and oral appliances, to help reduce symptoms and improve sleep for both the affected person and their sleep partner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the condition | Catathrenia, Sleep groaning, Nocturnal groaning |
| Cause | Unknown, possibly due to malfunctioning neurons in the brain |
| Occurrence | Rare, affecting 0.17% to 0.5% of the population |
| Symptoms | Moaning, groaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep |
| Risk factors | Family history, cranial facial abnormalities, stress |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnography or sleep study, physical exam |
| Treatment | CPAP machine, oral appliances, bedtime routine, exercise |
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What You'll Learn
- Catathrenia, or sleep groaning, is a rare sleep disorder
- Sleep groaning is caused by breathing out slowly, making the vocal cords vibrate
- Sleep groaning can be treated with a CPAP machine, oral appliances, and surgery
- People often don't realise they sleep groan, a bed partner usually tells them
- Sleep groaning is harmless but can cause relationship issues and social embarrassment
Catathrenia, or sleep groaning, is a rare sleep disorder
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with underlying sleep-related breathing problems. Research suggests that it may be caused by malfunctioning neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, resulting in prolonged exhalation. When a person exhales, their vocal cords vibrate, creating the characteristic groaning or moaning sounds of catathrenia. It is not believed to be caused by psychological or psychiatric stress.
Catathrenia is often first noticed by a sleep partner or family member, as the person making the noises is usually unaware of their actions. It can affect sleep quality, causing people to feel like they did not get a full night's rest. It can also lead to stress or social embarrassment, as individuals may feel self-conscious about the noises they make during sleep.
Treatment options are available for catathrenia, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and, in some cases, surgery. These treatments aim to improve breathing during sleep and reduce the occurrence of groaning noises.
While catathrenia is a rare disorder, it is important to seek medical advice if you or someone you know exhibits symptoms. A healthcare provider can perform a diagnosis through a clinic visit, including a medical history, physical exam, and, in some cases, a sleep study.
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Sleep groaning is caused by breathing out slowly, making the vocal cords vibrate
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to groan or moan loudly in their sleep. The noise occurs as a result of slow breathing out, or exhaling, which causes the vocal cords to vibrate and produce a groaning sound. This can last anywhere from two seconds to a minute and usually occurs during REM sleep, the deepest level of sleep. However, it can also happen during non-REM sleep.
Catathrenia is often first noticed by a bed partner or family member, as the person sleeping typically does not realise they are making these noises. It can be a source of frustration and embarrassment, leading to social anxiety and the avoidance of certain situations, such as overnight stays with others. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it could be due to malfunctioning neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, resulting in prolonged exhaling. While it is not dangerous to physical health, it can impact sleep quality and interpersonal relationships.
Treatment options are available to reduce catathrenia symptoms and improve sleep for both the affected person and their bed partner. These include the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, oral appliances, and surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy. Creating a bedtime routine, limiting screen time and caffeine intake, and regular exercise can also help improve sleep quality. Additionally, playing white noise or sleeping alone can help minimise the disturbance caused by sleep groaning.
While catathrenia itself is not a cause for concern, it is important to distinguish it from other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, sleep talking, and snoring. A healthcare provider can diagnose catathrenia through a clinic visit, including a medical history, physical exam, and possibly further testing such as a sleep study (polysomnogram).
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Sleep groaning can be treated with a CPAP machine, oral appliances, and surgery
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. The cause of catathrenia is not well understood, but it is believed to be associated with underlying sleep-related breathing problems. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it could be due to malfunctioning neurons in the brain at the respiratory center, which cause prolonged exhaling. When you exhale, your vocal cords vibrate, creating a moaning or groaning sound.
Oral appliances are another treatment option for sleep groaning, particularly for those who cannot use a CPAP machine. Oral appliances work by pulling your jaw or tongue forward while you sleep, improving airflow. They are easy to travel with and can help reduce or eliminate snoring, but they are not as effective as CPAP machines. Oral appliances are best suited for those with mild to moderate OSA and should only be used for children if recommended by a healthcare provider.
In some cases, surgery may also be an option for treating sleep groaning. While information on this treatment option is limited, it is likely that surgery would target the underlying cause of the disorder, such as removing any obstructions to breathing.
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People often don't realise they sleep groan, a bed partner usually tells them
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to groan, moan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. People with catathrenia usually take a deep breath and then make a long, groaning or moaning sound when they breathe out.
People who sleep groan often do not realise they have the disorder. Instead, a bed partner or family member informs them about the noises they make in their sleep. This is because sleep groaning often occurs without daytime symptoms, and the person with catathrenia usually does not remember it. The loud noises made by people with catathrenia can be disturbing to those who share a bed or room with them. The groaning sounds can last anywhere from two to 50 seconds and may repeat for a few minutes up to an hour, usually during REM sleep.
If you or your bed partner is experiencing symptoms of catathrenia, it is recommended that you see a healthcare provider, such as a sleep specialist. A healthcare provider will typically diagnose catathrenia after a clinic visit, which will include taking a medical history, discussing symptoms, and possibly conducting further tests. Treatment options are available to help reduce catathrenia symptoms and improve sleep quality for both the affected person and their bed partner.
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Sleep groaning is harmless but can cause relationship issues and social embarrassment
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is generally believed to be harmless to physical health. However, it can affect sleep quality and interpersonal relationships, leading to social embarrassment and relationship issues.
People with catathrenia usually take a deep breath and then make a long, loud groaning or moaning sound when they breathe out. These sounds can last anywhere from two to 50 seconds and typically occur during REM sleep, although they can also happen during non-REM sleep. While the person with catathrenia usually does not remember making these noises, they can be very disturbing to a sleep partner or others who hear them.
The groaning sounds of catathrenia are distinct from snoring. While snoring occurs during inhalation and is caused by the vibration of the back of the throat, catathrenia happens during exhalation and is caused by the vibration of the vocal cords. This creates a very different sound, often described as a monotone groan or a high-pitched squeak.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it may be related to malfunctioning neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing. These neurons cause prolonged exhalation, leading to the distinctive groaning sounds of catathrenia. It is also believed that people with smaller upper airways, jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation may be more prone to catathrenia. Additionally, there is some evidence that stress could play a role in sleep groaning, although this is not yet well understood.
While catathrenia itself is harmless, it can cause social embarrassment and relationship issues. Those with catathrenia may feel frustrated by their lack of control over the noises they make during sleep, leading them to avoid situations like overnight stays with others. It can also disturb sleep partners and family members, impacting their sleep quality. As a result, people with catathrenia may choose to sleep alone or in separate rooms to minimise the disruption caused by their sleep groaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Whining in your sleep could be a symptom of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, or sleep groaning. Catathrenia causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem.
Catathrenia usually comes to attention when it is loud enough to disturb others. If you suspect that you might have catathrenia, you should record your symptoms and observations of the groaning sounds. These notes can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. A polysomnogram, or sleep test, can also be used to make an official diagnosis of catathrenia.
Treatment options are available to reduce catathrenia symptoms and help improve sleep quality. These include the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, oral appliances, and surgeries such as tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. Creating a bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime can also help improve sleep quality.
