Colin Snow
Moaning in sleep, or catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to moan, groan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. It is often observed in elderly individuals and can be a sign of dementia. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to various factors such as dysfunctional neurons in the brain, small upper airways, small jaws, and limited airflow upon exhale. Treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. Stress and anxiety can also contribute to moaning during sleep, and addressing these issues through techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help alleviate the problem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning |
| Prevalence | Rare, affecting 0.17% to 0.4% of people with sleep problems |
| Age | Can start in childhood, but more common in elderly individuals |
| Gender | More common in men than women |
| Causes | Unknown, but may be related to dysfunctional neurons in the brain, small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation |
| Symptoms | Moaning, groaning, humming, or cracking sounds during sleep, often during REM sleep |
| Diagnosis | Polysomnography or video-polysomnography with audio recording |
| Treatment | CPAP, oral appliances, surgery, stress reduction techniques, addressing underlying medical conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder
Catathrenia is a benign, non-life-threatening sleep-related breathing disorder. It is distinct from snoring and other breathing problems and sleep disorders. The groaning sounds are usually slow, drawn-out, and monotone, and can be perceived as sullen, gloomy, or sexual in nature. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is not believed to stem from psychological or psychiatric stress. Theories suggest that it may be caused by dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing, small upper airways, small jaws, or inspiratory flow limitation. Additionally, research has observed lower diversity in the salivary microbiota of people with catathrenia.
The prevalence of catathrenia is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 0.17% to 0.4% of people with sleep problems. It often goes unnoticed unless it disturbs sleep partners or family members, who may prompt the affected individual to seek treatment. Diagnosis is typically done through polysomnography or a sleep test, which can reveal abnormal breathing disturbances and limited airflow. Treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery.
While catathrenia is generally harmless, it can cause embarrassment and stress, impacting interpersonal relationships and leading to avoidance of certain social situations. Addressing underlying health issues, improving sleep hygiene, reducing stress, and seeking tailored solutions from a sleep specialist can help manage the disorder.
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Parasomnia, an unwanted behaviour during sleep
Parasomnias are undesirable experiences that occur while a person is sleeping, falling asleep, or waking up. They are a type of sleep disorder that causes abnormal behaviours or events that disrupt sleep. Parasomnias can be classified into three main groups based on the stage of sleep in which they occur: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and other parasomnias that don't fit into either category.
Non-REM sleep parasomnias occur during the first three stages of sleep, when a person is not dreaming. They often involve physical and verbal activity, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, or making physical movements to act out a dream. People experiencing non-REM parasomnias may appear awake, with their eyes open, but they are actually asleep and may not respond to their surroundings.
REM sleep parasomnias happen during the fifth stage of sleep, when the brain processes information from the day and vivid dreaming occurs. These parasomnias are more likely to generate verbalizations or scenarios in which the person acts out their dreams. People are more likely to remember REM-related parasomnia activities compared to non-REM parasomnias.
Parasomnias can be triggered by various factors, including sleep deprivation, sleep disruptions, underlying medical conditions, stress, anxiety, and genetic factors. While most parasomnias are not harmful, they can sometimes be disturbing or dangerous, especially if the person unknowingly causes injury to themselves or others. Treatment options are available to help manage parasomnias and improve sleep quality.
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a specific type of parasomnia characterized by involuntary moaning or groaning sounds during sleep. It is considered a rare sleep-related breathing disorder, predominantly noted in elderly individuals. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to factors such as dysfunctional neurons impacting respiration, small airway structures, and low-diversity salivary microbiota. The primary symptom is an almost nightly moaning or groaning sound, often monotone, that occurs during exhalation and can disturb sleep partners or family members. Diagnosis is typically done through a sleep test, and treatment options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery.
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Dementia and sundowning
Sundowning is a common behaviour in people with dementia, including those with Alzheimer's disease. It is characterised by certain behaviours linked to late-day confusion, agitation, and mood swings. Sundowning typically happens in the late afternoon and evening, around dusk, and can last for several hours. It may continue into the night, making it hard for the person with dementia to get enough sleep. Sundowning can affect around 20% of people with dementia, and up to 80% of people with dementia in residential settings, particularly if they have recently moved in.
The exact causes of sundowning are not well understood, but several factors may contribute to it. One possible cause is changes in the person's body clock, which can occur in certain types of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia. Environmental changes, such as streetlights coming on or people settling in for the evening, can also trigger a sense of being in the wrong place. Other factors include family members being tired and less able to meet the person's needs, and fewer care staff being available in a care home setting.
People experiencing sundowning may exhibit agitated behaviour such as restlessness, fidgeting, irritability, shouting, or arguing. They may also follow family members or pace around, which could be an attempt to fulfil a need, such as finding someone familiar or getting something to eat. They might insist on leaving their home, even if they are already at home, or believe they need to go to work, even if they are retired.
To manage sundowning behaviours, caregivers can try to distract the person with a snack or an activity, like taking a walk or watching television. Speaking slowly and calmly, and avoiding arguing, can also help. Caregivers should try not to take sundowning behaviour personally and remember that the person may be trying to communicate a need, such as needing the toilet, feeling hungry, or being in pain. Establishing a predictable daily routine and regular exercise can also help improve sleep and reduce daytime fatigue, which often worsens sundowning. In some cases, medication such as brexpiprazole (Rexulti) may be prescribed to treat agitation associated with sundowning.
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Stress, anxiety, and intense emotions
Sleep moaning, 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 related to underlying sleep-associated breathing problems. Catathrenia is characterized by moaning or groaning during sleep, particularly while exhaling, and can disrupt sleep for both the individual and their sleep partners. The sounds are often monotone and may be perceived as gloomy or sexual in nature. While catathrenia is typically harmless, it can be stressful and emotionally taxing for those who experience it and their sleep partners.
In some cases, sleep moaning in older adults may be a sign of dementia or other neurological conditions. Sundowning, or sundown syndrome, is a phenomenon where confusion or delirium worsens in the evening and throughout the night, potentially triggering sleep moaning. Frontal-subcortical dysfunction, memory loss, and personality changes are also key symptoms of dementia that can lead to sleep moaning. Monitoring for warning signs of worsening dementia, such as incontinence, aggression, and challenges with personal hygiene, is crucial for timely intervention and management of sleep moaning.
While catathrenia is generally benign, it can be distressing for those affected and their loved ones. Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. Addressing underlying health issues, improving sleep hygiene, and collaborating with a sleep specialist for tailored solutions can also help manage sleep moaning.
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Underlying medical conditions
Moaning in sleep, 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 believed to be related to various underlying medical conditions and individual factors. Here are some possible underlying medical conditions that could contribute to moaning in sleep among older adults:
Neurological and Neurodegenerative Conditions:
Catathrenia is often associated with neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the conditions linked to sleep moaning include Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy, multiple sclerosis, and migraines. These conditions can lead to abnormal brain activity and disruptions during sleep, potentially resulting in involuntary moaning or vocalizations.
Breathing Disorders:
Catathrenia is classified as a sleep-related breathing disorder. It is characterized by abnormal breathing patterns, such as slow breathing (bradypnea) or breath-holding. People with catathrenia may experience limited airflow upon exhale, small upper airways, or small jaws, contributing to the moaning or groaning sounds during sleep. These breathing abnormalities can be caused by dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing.
Psychological and Psychiatric Conditions:
While psychological or psychiatric stress is not believed to be the primary cause of catathrenia, it can be a contributing factor. People experiencing stress, anxiety, or intense emotions may be more prone to sleep moaning. Additionally, emotionally charged or vivid dreams can trigger vocalizations during sleep, such as moaning or groaning. Addressing underlying psychological conditions and practicing stress-reducing techniques can help alleviate sleep moaning.
Sleep Disorders:
Moaning during sleep can be associated with various sleep disorders, including parasomnias, sleep apnea, and snoring. Parasomnias are characterized by unusual behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep paralysis. Sleep apnea, which involves pauses in breathing during sleep, can also cause disrupted sleep and unusual vocalizations. Addressing and treating these underlying sleep disorders may help reduce sleep moaning.
Dementia and Sundowning:
In older adults, moaning or grunting noises during sleep may be a sign of dementia or sundowning syndrome. Sundowning is characterized by worsening symptoms in the late afternoon and evening, including confusion or delirium. These behavioral changes can disrupt sleep and lead to sleep moaning. Monitoring for warning signs of dementia, such as memory loss and personality changes, is crucial for timely intervention and management.
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Frequently asked questions
Moaning in sleep is a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder. It is characterized by involuntary moaning or groaning sounds during sleep, predominantly in elderly individuals. The cause of catathrenia is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to dysfunctional neurons impacting respiration or small airway structures.
Catathrenia is considered a rare sleep disorder, with an incidence rate of 0.17% to 0.4% among patients with sleep and/or wake problems.
Treatment options for catathrenia include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, surgery, and addressing underlying health issues. Reducing stress and enhancing sleep hygiene can also help alleviate symptoms.
