Gina Johnson
Moaning in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes people to make long, involuntary, and loud groaning or moaning sounds during sleep. The sounds are typically made during exhalation rather than inhalation. While catathrenia is not a life-threatening condition, it can be disruptive to bed partners and may lead to social problems for those affected. Treatment options are available, and seeking help from a healthcare professional is recommended for proper evaluation and management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the sleep disorder | Catathrenia |
| Other names | Nocturnal groaning |
| Cause | Unknown, but may be related to dysfunctional neurons in the brain's respiratory center, small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation |
| Occurrence | Rare |
| Risk factors | Male gender, adolescence or early adulthood, family history |
| Symptoms | Moaning, groaning, or cracking sounds during sleep, usually during REM sleep, lasting between 2 and 50 seconds, and repeating for a few minutes up to an hour |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnography or a sleep study, physical examination |
| Treatment | CPAP, oral appliances, surgery, stress reduction techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Impact on sleep quality | May disrupt bed partner's sleep, potentially preventing a restful night's sleep |
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What You'll Learn
- Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder characterised by moaning or groaning during sleep
- Diagnosis: a polysomnogram sleep study can help diagnose catathrenia and rule out other issues
- Treatment: CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery can help treat catathrenia
- Impact: moaning in sleep can cause social problems and impact bed partners' sleep quality
- Causes: unknown, but may be linked to neurons, small airways, jaws, and salivary microbiota
Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder characterised by moaning or groaning during sleep
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder characterised by moaning or groaning during sleep. It is a chronic respiratory disorder that causes people to make long, involuntary, and often loud groaning or moaning sounds during sleep, typically when exhaling rather than inhaling. These sounds are usually monotone and can reach up to 75 decibels in volume, similar to a vacuum cleaner. The disorder can also cause breath-holding and slow breathing (bradypnea).
Catathrenia is generally harmless and not considered dangerous. It is not associated with any decrease in oxygen levels during sleep, which can be damaging to organs. However, it can be disruptive to bed partners and cause social problems for those with the condition. The groaning sounds may be perceived as unhappy or sexual, potentially causing embarrassment for the person with catathrenia.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to individual factors such as dysfunctional neurons in the brain's respiratory centre, small upper airways, small jaws, limited airflow upon exhalation, and low-diversity salivary microbiota. Some researchers also suggest a possible genetic component, as some people with catathrenia have a close relative with the condition.
Diagnosis of catathrenia is typically made through polysomnography, or a sleep study, which can rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders. Treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and, in some cases, surgery to remove any upper airway obstructions. While catathrenia itself may not require treatment, steps can be taken to improve the sleep quality of those with the condition and their bed partners, such as using earplugs or white noise machines to reduce the effects of nighttime moaning.
Catathrenia is a rare condition, and more research is needed to fully understand its causes, symptoms, and optimal treatments.
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Diagnosis: a polysomnogram sleep study can help diagnose catathrenia and rule out other issues
Moaning 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. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be unrelated to psychological or psychiatric stress. It is often first noticed by others when it is loud enough to disturb them.
Catathrenia is typically diagnosed via a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which can be conducted at a sleep center or at home. This test will show changes in breathing patterns and can record the groaning sounds. A polysomnogram involves attaching electrodes near the patient's eyelids, chin, and scalp to measure body functions. Other monitors and video cameras may also be used to record noises and movements during sleep.
Before a diagnosis of catathrenia is made, a sleep specialist should rule out other conditions, including sleep talking, snoring, and sleep apnea. A physical exam of the head, neck, jaw, nose, mouth, and throat may also be conducted to identify possible markers associated with nighttime groaning, such as upper airway obstruction.
Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP, oral appliances, and surgery. These treatments target the root cause of the disorder, which is often related to individual factors like dysfunctional neurons in the brain, small upper airways, small jaws, limited airflow upon exhale, and low-diversity salivary microbiota.
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Treatment: CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery can help treat catathrenia
Moaning 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. The cause of catathrenia is not well understood, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. Catathrenia is generally harmless but can be disruptive to those sleeping nearby.
CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery can help treat catathrenia. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, provides a steady stream of pressurised air through a mask worn during sleep. This airflow keeps the airway open, preventing pauses in breathing and restoring normal oxygen levels. Small studies have shown that CPAP is an effective therapy for people with catathrenia, improving alertness during the day.
Oral appliances, such as those used to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, can also be an effective treatment for catathrenia. In some cases, surgery may be an option, particularly if there is an upper airway obstruction. Surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) or both the tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy) can help treat catathrenia.
Treatment for catathrenia often involves a combination of approaches, and it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable options. While catathrenia itself is not a cause for concern, it can be a social problem, causing embarrassment and burden to those who experience it.
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Impact: moaning in sleep can cause social problems and impact bed partners' sleep quality
Moaning in your sleep can be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes people to make loud groaning or moaning sounds while sleeping. The sounds are typically produced during exhalation and can be very loud, reaching up to 75 decibels. While catathrenia is generally considered harmless, it can have social implications and impact the sleep quality of bed partners.
The loud and unusual sounds associated with catathrenia can be disturbing to those who share a bed or living space with the affected individual. The moaning sounds may be perceived as unhappy or sexual, potentially causing embarrassment for the person with catathrenia. Additionally, the noise can disrupt the sleep of bed partners, impacting their sleep quality and causing relationship complications.
To mitigate the impact on bed partners, several strategies can be employed. The use of earplugs or headphones can help block out the noise and improve sleep quality. Creating white noise through a bedside machine, smartphone app, or fan can also reduce the disturbance caused by the moaning sounds. Practicing good sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, can further enhance sleep quality for both the affected individual and their bed partner.
While catathrenia itself is not considered a symptom of any serious underlying health condition, it may sometimes be associated with daytime sleepiness and fatigue. This can impact social functioning and the ability to perform daily tasks. Additionally, the condition can cause embarrassment and social discomfort, particularly if the moaning sounds are misinterpreted or considered unusual by others.
It is important to note that not all cases of sleep moaning are indicative of catathrenia. Occasional moaning during sleep is considered normal and benign. However, persistent or disruptive vocalizations may warrant further investigation and consultation with a healthcare professional.
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Causes: unknown, but may be linked to neurons, small airways, jaws, and salivary microbiota
Moaning in your sleep may be a symptom of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning. The cause of this condition is not well understood, but it is believed to be unrelated to psychological or psychiatric stress.
Limited research suggests that catathrenia may be caused by a variety of individual factors. One such factor is dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing. Another factor could be small upper airways, which are believed to be linked to the condition.
People with catathrenia may also have small jaws, which can cause inspiratory flow limitation—when airflow stays constant even when you try to breathe more. In addition, salivary microbiota (the collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in saliva) has been observed to have lower diversity in people with catathrenia, which could open up new pathways for potential treatment.
Catathrenia involves slow, drawn-out, typically monotoned groaning or moaning while asleep, usually when exhaling. These sounds are often described as very loud and distinct from other sleep sounds, like snoring or talking. The condition is also linked to other breathing pattern changes, like slow breathing or breath holding.
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Frequently asked questions
Moaning 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. The cause is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to underlying sleep-associated breathing problems.
Catathrenia is usually identified when it's so loud that it disturbs other people. A sleep study called a polysomnogram can be used to diagnose catathrenia. This test will show changes in your breathing pattern and can record the groaning sounds.
Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP, oral appliances, and surgery. To avoid relationship complications, your bed partner may want to consider earplugs or listening to white noise at night to drown out the groans.
