Herbie Murray
If you've ever been told that you whine in your sleep, you may have a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning. This condition causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while sleeping. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to breathing problems during sleep. It is generally harmless to one's physical health but can affect sleep quality and interpersonal relationships. Treatment options are available, but due to the limited understanding of the disorder, it can be challenging to find an effective solution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the condition | Catathrenia |
| Other names | Nocturnal groaning, sleep groaning |
| Cause | Unknown, possibly related to neurons in the respiratory centre of the brain |
| Symptoms | Groaning, moaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep |
| Occurrence | Rare, affecting 0.17% to 0.5% of the population |
| Risk factors | Male gender, family history, small jaws, small upper airways, inspiratory flow limitation |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnography or sleep study, physical examination |
| Treatment | CPAP therapy, oral appliances, surgery (in some cases) |
| Complications | Sleep disruption for the bed partner, stress, social embarrassment |
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What You'll Learn
- Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes moaning or groaning during sleep
- Sleep groaning is classified as a parasomnia, or unwanted behaviours, actions or thoughts that occur while falling asleep, sleeping or waking up
- Sleep apnea, a condition where airways are partially blocked during sleep, can cause snoring and should be ruled out as a potential cause
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices can help ease symptoms of sleep groaning by helping the sleeper breathe more easily
- Catathrenia can cause stress and social embarrassment, and may lead to avoidance of certain situations such as overnight stays with others
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes moaning or groaning during sleep
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests a link to malfunctioning neurons in the brain's respiratory centre (medulla oblongata). These neurons cause prolonged exhalation, resulting in vocal cord vibrations that produce moaning or groaning sounds. The disorder may also be associated with small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation. While catathrenia is not dangerous to physical health, it can impact sleep quality and interpersonal relationships, leading to stress and social embarrassment.
The incidence of catathrenia is rare, estimated at between 0.17% and 0.4% of individuals with sleep problems. Due to its rarity, catathrenia is often underrecognised and misdiagnosed as other sleep disorders like central sleep apnea or snoring. Diagnosis of catathrenia typically involves polysomnography or a sleep test, which can reveal abnormal breathing patterns and limited airflow. Treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and in some cases, tonsillectomy surgeries.
While the exact cause of catathrenia remains elusive, it is believed to have a higher incidence among young men and those with a family history of the condition. The disorder can affect both adults and children, and individuals with catathrenia may experience associated symptoms such as disrupted sleep and fatigue. Treatment options aim to reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality for both the affected individual and their sleep partners.
If you suspect you or someone close to you may have catathrenia, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider. They will conduct a thorough evaluation, including taking a medical history, performing physical examinations, and possibly recommending further testing to rule out other conditions. Treatment options are available to manage symptoms and improve overall sleep quality.
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Sleep groaning is classified as a parasomnia, or unwanted behaviours, actions or thoughts that occur while falling asleep, sleeping or waking up
Sleep groaning, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking noises while sleeping. This usually occurs during REM sleep, the sleep cycle where your muscles relax. However, it can also happen during stage 2 of non-REM sleep. Groaning in sleep is classified as a parasomnia, which refers to unwanted behaviours, actions, or thoughts that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. Sleepwalking and sleep talking are also classified as parasomnias.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to breathing problems during sleep. It is characterised as a chronic respiratory disorder, with groaning occurring during exhalation. The disorder is often long-lasting and involuntary, and those with catathrenia usually do not realise they have it. Instead, they are informed by family members or sleep partners who are disturbed by the loud noises, which can last from two to 50 seconds and repeat for a few minutes to an hour.
Research suggests that catathrenia may be caused by malfunctioning neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, resulting in prolonged exhalation. Other potential causes include small upper airways, small jaws, and inspiratory flow limitation, where airflow remains constant despite increased breathing effort. Additionally, there is some evidence that stress could play a role in sleep groaning, and it may be more prevalent in athletes and swimmers.
Treatment options for catathrenia include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances to support the jaw, and, in some cases, surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat or airways. While catathrenia is generally harmless, it can impact sleep quality and interpersonal relationships, causing stress and social embarrassment.
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Sleep apnea, a condition where airways are partially blocked during sleep, can cause snoring and should be ruled out as a potential cause
Moaning or whining in your sleep is known as catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that affects both adults and children. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but researchers believe it may be related to neurons in the respiratory centre of the brain. If these neurons are dysfunctional, they can trigger prolonged exhaling, which creates a moaning or groaning sound. Catathrenia can last for years and is more common in young men than in women.
If you suspect that you or someone you know has catathrenia, it is important to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider will typically diagnose catathrenia through a clinic visit, which will include taking a medical history, a physical exam, and possibly further testing. Treatment options are available to reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality.
Before diagnosing catathrenia, a sleep specialist should rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common condition where airways become partially blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. This blockage can occur due to narrowed airways or when the muscles in the upper throat relax, allowing surrounding tissue to press on the windpipe. Sleep apnea can lead to loud snoring and can disrupt the sleep cycle, impacting physical and mental health.
To diagnose sleep apnea, a healthcare provider may examine the nose, mouth, and throat to identify any possible obstructions. Treatment options for sleep apnea aim to keep the airway open during sleep, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, oral appliances, and lifestyle changes. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to bypass the blocked airway or address physical obstructions.
It is important to note that sleep apnea can have serious health consequences if left untreated. It can lead to or worsen heart disease and put stress on the heart. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical advice if you suspect sleep apnea to ensure proper management and prevent potential complications.
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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices can help ease symptoms of sleep groaning by helping the sleeper breathe more easily
Whining, moaning, or groaning in your sleep is a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia. It is characterised by loud groaning or moaning noises, lasting between two and 50 seconds, that occur during REM sleep. The sleeper is usually unaware of these noises, and catathrenia often comes to medical attention when it disturbs others. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices are a common treatment for sleep apnea, a disorder characterised by brief periods where breathing stops during sleep. CPAP machines deliver continuous air through the nose and/or mouth, helping to keep the airways open. While CPAP is the most common treatment for sleep apnea, it is notoriously difficult to tolerate due to factors such as cold, dry air and skin irritation from the mask.
CPAP devices have been found to help in certain cases of catathrenia, as the continuous airflow helps the sleeper breathe more easily. However, not everyone with catathrenia responds to this treatment. The effectiveness of CPAP machines can be improved by features such as heated humidifiers, adjustable pressure settings, and automatic pressure adjustment capabilities.
Alternative treatments for catathrenia include oral appliance therapy, where a customised mouthpiece supports the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open. There are also surgical options, such as the implantation of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator, which may eliminate the need for a CPAP machine.
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Catathrenia can cause stress and social embarrassment, and may lead to avoidance of certain situations such as overnight stays with others
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. The groaning or moaning usually lasts between two and 50 seconds and occurs during REM sleep, although it can also happen during non-REM sleep. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the neurons in the respiratory centre of the brain. If these neurons are dysfunctional, they can trigger prolonged exhaling, which creates a moaning or groaning sound.
While catathrenia is not dangerous to physical health, it can affect sleep quality and interpersonal relationships. The loud noises made during catathrenia can disturb sleep partners or others within the household. This can cause stress and social embarrassment for the person with catathrenia, leading to avoidance of certain situations such as overnight stays with others. Many people with catathrenia are unaware of their condition until a family member or sleep partner informs them. The disorder can also cause feelings of frustration due to a lack of control over the noises made during sleep.
Treatment options for catathrenia include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat or airways. However, there is no cure for catathrenia, and the effectiveness of these treatments varies among individuals. In some cases, sleep aids such as Ambien (zolpidem) and Lunesta (eszopiclone) may help prevent catathrenia, but more research is needed. Additionally, white noise machines and earplugs can be used to block out the noises made during catathrenia.
Catathrenia can be diagnosed through a polysomnography or sleep study, which can rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders. A healthcare provider may also perform a physical exam and take a medical history to make a diagnosis. While catathrenia itself is not dangerous, it is important to distinguish it from other sleep disorders that may have more serious implications.
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Frequently asked questions
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while sleeping. It is not usually dangerous to physical health but can affect sleep quality and interpersonal relationships.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown. However, research suggests it may be associated with underlying sleep-related breathing problems, such as small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation. It could also be caused by malfunctioning neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing.
Treatment options for catathrenia include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances to support the jaw, and in some cases, surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat. While there is no cure, these treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality for the patient and their sleeping partner.
