"If You Sleep with Your Mouth Open, Consider This Condition"

Have you ever noticed yourself falling asleep with your mouth wide open? Or experienced a dry sensation in your throat and mouth? While occasionally it may not be a cause for concern, if these symptoms occur repeatedly, it's important to pay attention. This could be a sign of a condition known as "Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome" (UARS).

 

If you find yourself habitually sleeping with your mouth open without an underlying condition, try lowering the height of your pillow.

 

UARS, also known as silent snoring, shares similarities with conventional snoring, but without the audible noise. Individuals with this syndrome may have difficulty breathing due to congenital narrow airways, a narrow lower jaw, or respiratory issues such as sinusitis or tonsillitis. As a result, they unconsciously open their mouths and resort to mouth breathing. This phenomenon can even occur in otherwise healthy, normal-weight women.

 

Patients with UARS experience inadequate oxygen supply to their bodies during sleep. This can lead to rapid breathing and waking up during the night. It can also lead to difficulty achieving deep sleep, resulting in accumulated fatigue. Many individuals with UARS experience excessive daytime sleepiness and chronic fatigue. However, they may mistake this for insomnia. Sleeping with your mouth open can lead to dryness in the mouth, bad breath, and an increased risk of gum disease. Additionally, habitual mouth breathing may alter facial skeletal structure.

 

If you suspect you may have UARS, it is advisable to seek medical attention and undergo a sleep study. Treatment methods may vary depending on whether the cause is related to a respiratory condition or narrow airways. In the former case, medication to relieve nasal congestion may be prescribed, while in the latter, positive airway pressure therapy to open the airways may be recommended. Using a mask while sleeping can also be helpful, as it increases air pressure inside, making it easier to secure the airway. Maintaining indoor humidity at around 50% is also important to prevent worsening of respiratory conditions.

 

If you find yourself habitually sleeping with your mouth open without an underlying condition, try lowering the height of your pillow. If the pillow is too high, it can narrow the airway, leading to natural mouth opening. A suitable pillow height for adult males is around 6-8cm, and for adult females, it's about 5-7cm. By taking these measures, you can strive for a healthier and more restful sleep.