What does it mean when you moan in your sleep?

Catathrenia is a sleep behavior that's usually harmless but can wake up other people. It happens when someone is sleeping and moans and groans as they breathe out. It's different than snoring, which happens when someone inhales, or breathes in. A sleep specialist can help if you think you have catathrenia.


Why do I randomly moan when falling asleep?

If anyone sleeping near you has ever complained about groaning or moaning at night, you may have a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia. It makes you produce those sounds and hold your breath while you sleep.

How do I stop moaning in my sleep?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

medlineplus.gov through a mask you wear as you sleep. This type of therapy ensures the windpipe stays open as you sleep and prevents the airway from collapsing. Small studies have shown that CPAP is an effective therapy for people with nighttime groaning.


Is catathrenia caused by stress?

Is catathrenia caused by stress? There's some anecdotal evidence that stress may trigger catathrenia. But there is no strong evidence that stress or other psychological factors are responsible for the onset of this rare sleep disorder.

Is catathrenia serious?

Although there is no association with risk of physical harm, catathrenia does present a significant disturbance to the bed partner and has been associated with subjective impairments to sleep quality, including unrefreshing sleep and fatigue.


Is catathrenia harmful?



Is catathrenia life threatening?

Catathrenia itself is not considered life-threatening. Bed partners generally report hearing the person take a deep breath, hold it, then slowly exhale; often with a high-pitched squeak or groaning sound.

Is catathrenia neurological?

Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): A new type of parasomnia | Neurology.

Is catathrenia common?

Catathrenia is very rare, with onset usually in adolescence or early adulthood (mean age 19 years with a range of 5 to 36 years). The prevalence of catathrenia is greater in men than in women. Catathrenia events may occur in clusters and resemble a run of central apneas.


What brain disorder causes parasomnia?

While it's unclear why some people are more likely to have parasomnias, some have been linked to psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease can also increase your risk for parasomnias.

Who gets parasomnia?

Parasomnias affect approximately 10 percent of Americans. They occur in people of all ages, but are most common in children. Children are particularly vulnerable because of brain immaturity. The good news is they are usually not associated with negative health consequences and disappear as the child matures.

What sleep disorders are life threatening?

Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder that occurs when breathing is interrupted during sleep. It's important to detect and treat early because it can sometimes cause irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.


Is there a way to stop catathrenia?

– Catathrenia, or sleep related groaning, is an uncommon feature of a sleep-related breathing disorder that can be successfully treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), according to a study published in the January 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

How common is catathrenia?

Catathrenia is very rare, with onset usually in adolescence or early adulthood (mean age 19 years with a range of 5 to 36 years). The prevalence of catathrenia is greater in men than in women. Catathrenia events may occur in clusters and resemble a run of central apneas.

Can sleep apnea cause sudden death?

Sleep apnoea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause sudden death, with a marginally significant dose–response relationship, where those with severe sleep apnoea are at the highest risk of mortality.


What are 4 symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
  • Loud snoring.
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
  • Gasping for air during sleep.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.


Does your heart stop beating with sleep apnea?

Researchers suspect sleep apnea causes abnormal heart rhythms, which lead to sudden cardiac death, for a number of reasons. “Sleep apnea may lower oxygen levels, activate the fight-or-flight response and change pressure in the chest when the upper airway closes, stressing the heart mechanically,” he explains.

What aggravates sleep apnea?

Your Sleep Position

Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse— this is because your tongue can fall back towards your throat and press against your airway. Any extra weight or pressure, such as body fat, around your airway can block it while you're on your back also. Instead, try sleeping on your side.


What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Loud snoring.
  • Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep.
  • Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty concentrating during the day.


What is the main cause of sleep apnea?

In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked.

What is the best sleep position for sleep apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.


What organs are affected by sleep apnea?

If you have sleep apnea, you're more likely to have fatty liver disease, liver scarring, and higher-than-normal levels of liver enzymes. Apnea can also worsen heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can interrupt your sleep even more.

Can a heart monitor tell if you have sleep apnea?

Conclusion: HR tachogram patterns derived from ambulatory ECGs provide a simple method for identifying sleep apnea syndrome and other sleep disturbances in patients without major autonomic dysfunction.

What happens to your body when you have sleep apnea?

“Sleep apnea happens when upper airway muscles relax during sleep and pinch off the airway, which prevents you from getting enough air.


What does Untreated sleep apnea feel like?

Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of sleep apnea. Disruptions in brain function. These can include memory loss, trouble concentrating or other brain-related issues. Waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night.

How do you get tested for sleep apnea?

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.