Ways To Effectively Treat Catathrenia

Catathrenia is a condition that occurs when an individual groans in their sleep. The phenomenon occurs with relative rareness and hasn't been well documented so far. The groaning might be loud and often occurs every night for long periods. Though it might occur with any sleep stage, it appears to be most common with deep sleep and REM sleep. Some studies have shown subjects experience breaks in their groaning when they shift sleeping positions throughout the night. Catathrenia happens on an exhale, unlike snores, which occur during an inhale. The groans aren't related to sleep-talking and don't appear correlated with breathing issues. They also aren't correlated with bad dreams. The groaning can disturb the patient's sleeping partners though.

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Use A White Noise Machine

Catathrenia doesn't appear to have any significant effect on a patient's quality of sleep. Like snoring, the condition doesn't always need to be evaluated by a specialist. Individuals who are disturbed by their partner's groaning might benefit from using a white noise machine. White noise can also come from household appliances like an air purifier, air conditioner, humidifier, or fan. Most individuals associate white noise with television static. Though this static can be irritating at high volumes, a comfortable amount of white noise can help with sleep. White noise provides a constant thrum in the background that masks sharp sounds that interrupt sleep. This makes individuals less likely to wake up due to the neighbor's dog barking, sirens in the distance, cats running around the house in the middle of the night, or their partner groaning loudly.

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Try Earplugs

Earplugs are often the first recommended course of action for individuals whose sleep is disturbed by their partner's catathrenia. The patient with catathrenia usually won't be roused by their own groaning regardless of its volume. Earplugs can block unwanted noises like snoring, groaning, and startling sounds outside the house. Just like sleep masks block out light to provide better sleep, earplugs block out noise stimulation. The majority of earplugs are constructed from silicone or foam, but there are a few made from wax. Many earplugs are designed to be used once and then discarded. If individuals do use a reusable model, they'll need to make sure to clean them every day to prevent bacterial contamination. Wearing dirty earplugs can increase the risk of developing an ear infection.

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Talk To A Sleep Specialist About Other Conditions

Catathrenia hasn't been as thoroughly researched as conditions like snoring or sleep apnea. In fact, it was only added to the list of official parasomnias about a decade ago. There hasn't been a lot of research regarding the potential correlations between catathrenia and other conditions. What studies have been done seem to show a lack of correlation between catathrenia and snoring, breathing disorders, nightmares, or other common sleep issues. With that said, catathrenia doesn't tend to impede upon an individual's sleep quality. If they're experiencing excessive tiredness or waking up multiple times in the night, it might help to talk to a sleep specialist about other conditions. They may recommend a sleep study.

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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a treatment typically used for patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes an individual's breathing to be interrupted during sleep, which can decrease sleep quality or lead to other health complications. This type of therapy is administered with a CPAP machine, which includes a mask that covers the mouth and nose, a mask covering only the nose, or prongs patients place in their nose. The mask is connected by a tube to the motor, and the motor blows air through the tube. CPAP machines have been shown in some research to help reduce the effects of catathrenia. They can be prescribed by sleep technologists and doctors, who will work with patients to find the correct settings.

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Wear An Oral Appliance

If none of the other treatment methods work, it's possible it might help to wear an oral appliance. Oral appliances are also used to treat sleep apnea. Unlike CPAP machines, there hasn't been a lot of research into their effect on catathrenia, but it is possible basic treatments that work for sleep apnea will also help with catathrenia. While sleep apnea and catathrenia are both typically treated with CPAP machines, not everyone is able to use a CPAP machine. Oral appliances are an alternative. Dental devices have similar appearances to orthodontic retainers or athletic mouth guards. They snap over the teeth and are connected by metal hinges. The appliance pushes the tongue and lower jaw forward just slightly, which prevents sleep apnea and may help reduce catathrenia symptoms.