Has anyone ever told you that you make strange groaning sounds while you sleep? Maybe it was your wife, husband, or someone else in your house. It's normal to feel a little embarrassed, embarrassed, and even a little scared when you hear something like that. But this is not something that is unique to you. Although many people don't know about it, there are people who live with this condition. Today, we will talk in detail about this sleep groaning, a condition that we call `(Catathrenia)` or `(Nocturnal Groaning)` in medical terms.
What is Catathrenia? To put it simply...
Catathrenia is a sleep-related breathing disorder. It is characterized by a whistling or snoring sound as you exhale while you are sleeping. The sound can be quite loud. It can last from a few seconds to up to 40 seconds at a time. For some people, it can happen every night. It is important to note that this can happen during both the REM and non-REM stages of sleep.
Most of the time, this groaning sound doesn't wake you up. You may not hear it or even feel like you're doing it. However, it's usually the person you sleep with (your partner) or someone else in the house who hears it first. Sometimes, you may wake up in the morning feeling tired, like "I didn't sleep well last night."
How common is this condition?
In fact, catathrenia is not a very common condition. This has been shown by two studies conducted in different countries around the world. For example, in a study conducted in Japan over a period of 10 years on 15,052 people, only 0.17% (that's 25 people) had this condition. In a study conducted in Norway over a period of one year on 1,004 people, it was reported in 0.4% (that's 4 people).
However, the actual number of people with this condition may be higher than these statistics. This is because many people do not know they have it, or do not consider it something worth mentioning to a doctor. Some may even mistake it for just snoring .
What are the symptoms of Catathrenia?
The main and most obvious symptom of this condition is a low-pitched groan or groaning sound in your sleep. This occurs when you exhale. This sound stops when you inhale. This sound can be heard in different ways:
- A loud noise.
- A sound that is heard in a single tone (monotone).
- Some people may also hear this as a sexual sound.
- It can take on a sad, gloomy nature.
- A low humming sound like a bee may be heard.
- The voice may sound like it is cracking .
- Finally, you can hold your breath and stop with a grunt or sigh.
This symptom usually occurs every night. While not everyone with catathrenia has sleep-related complaints, some people may report:
- Snoring.
- Mouth breathing.
- Sleep interruptions.
Therefore, when you wake up in the morning, you may experience things like:
- Severe fatigue.
- Grogginess, sluggishness.
- Dry mouth.
- Hoarse voice .
- A sore throat .
- A headache .
- Difficulty concentrating .
This type of discomfort in the morning is mainly due to the way you breathe while sleeping (breathing only through your mouth) and the impact it has on the quality of your sleep. This can make your sleep less restful and cause you to wake up more frequently during the night.
Why is this happening? What are the reasons for this?
To be honest, the exact cause of catathrenia is still unknown. However, researchers suggest that it may be due to a malfunction in the functioning of certain nerve cells (neurons) in the respiratory center (Medulla Oblongata) in our brain. These nerve cells control our breathing. This malfunction causes prolonged exhalation. Then, when you exhale, your vocal cords vibrate, which is what makes that wheezing sound.
Is anxiety a cause of this?
It is not yet clear whether anxiety causes catathrenia. Further studies are being conducted on this. It is also being investigated whether other conditions, such as severe stress, can exacerbate these symptoms.
Is this something that comes from generations?
Current research suggests that if someone in your family, especially a blood relative, has this condition, you are also at risk of developing ``Nocturnal Groaning''.
Is Catathrenia a dangerous condition?
The good news is that catathrenia is not a dangerous condition that will cause significant harm to your physical health. However, it can reduce your sleep quality and affect your interpersonal relationships.
Catathrenia can cause severe stress or social embarrassment for some people. Imagine how frustrating it would be to not be able to control the noises that come out of your body while you sleep. Because of this, some people tend to avoid situations like overnight stays with others, fearing that others will hear them, that it will bother them, and that they will be embarrassed.
How do doctors diagnose this condition?
A doctor diagnoses catarrhal syndrome after a clinical examination. This may include asking you about your symptoms (medical history), performing a physical exam, and possibly doing some other tests. The doctor will also ask you how you feel when you wake up in the morning, and what other people have heard and seen while you were sleeping.
If possible, record your voice while you're sleeping. This will help your doctor listen to it and differentiate between sleep talking and other conditions like snoring.
Your Primary Care Physician may refer you to a sleep specialist (`(Somnologist)`). You may also need to participate in a sleep study (`(Polysomnogram)`). This involves staying overnight in a sleep center. There, your brain activity, breathing, and other body systems are monitored while you sleep.
What are the treatments for this?
Catathrenia does not always require treatment. However, if symptoms are severe or are affecting your life, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Oral appliances (similar to a retainer for your teeth) are worn at night. This helps keep your upper airway open at night.
- Using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine at night. This helps keep your airway open by pumping air through a tube into your nose or mouth.
- Referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (`(Otolaryngology specialist / ENT specialist)`) to assess whether surgery is necessary.
How will life be going forward with this situation? `(Outlook)`
Catathrenia is not known to cause any major long-term health problems. While it may be a little scary for your friends or family to hear you moaning at night, the condition can have a significant impact on your mental health.
The good news is that there are treatments that can help reduce or completely stop this nighttime snoring. Your doctor will likely recommend nonsurgical treatment options first. Many people find that their symptoms go away after they start using a CPAP machine.
Additionally, if these symptoms are affecting their mental health or social relationships, many people find relief from talking to a mental health professional .
When should you see a doctor?
If you have a tendency to snore at night, or if someone tells you so, definitely see a doctor. Also, if you feel like you are not getting enough sleep, talk to your doctor about that too. Because good sleep is essential for a healthy life.
You can also ask your doctor these questions:
- Do I need to participate in a sleep study (Sleep Study / Polysomnogram)?
- Does the doctor want me to talk to my bed partner about the things I hear while I sleep?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend for me?
- Are there any side effects to these treatments?
What is the difference between Catathrenia and Snoring?
Catathrenia and snoring are both sounds that can occur while you are sleeping, but there are clear differences between the two.
- Snoring occurs when you inhale .
- In catathrenia, the wheezing occurs when you exhale .
- In catathrenia, the wheezing sound comes from your vocal cords (larynx, or voice box).
- The sound of snoring comes from the upper part of your throat (`(Pharynx)`).
Imagine how many questions would come to your mind if your partner woke you up in the middle of the night and said, "You're moaning/making a strange noise." While ignoring it and going back to sleep may seem like the easiest solution at the time, it will only make you feel more tired when you wake up in the morning. If you and your partner are both having trouble sleeping every night, it's definitely best to talk to a doctor.
Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, I hope you now have a better understanding of the catarrhenia we talked about today. The most important thing is that this is not a dangerous disease. However, it can affect your comfort in life, your mental happiness.
- You are not alone: there are other people in similar situations. So don't be ashamed or afraid.
- There are treatments: There are treatments that can reduce or stop this wheezing. The ``(CPAP)`` machine brings successful results for many people.
- Seek medical advice: If you have these symptoms, definitely see a doctor for advice. They will tell you exactly what to do.
- Mental health is also important: If this is causing you distress, don't hesitate to seek the help of a mental health counselor.
Your sleep is very important for your overall health, so if you have any sleep-related issues, don't ignore them.
` Catathrenia, Nocturnal Groaning, Sleep Disorders, Respiratory Disorders, Snoring, CPAP, Sleep Problems
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