The Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome Masquerading as Nocturnal Asthma and Successfully Treated with an Oral Appliance

ABSTRACT

Over the past 10 years, our ability to recognize, treat, and identify the morbidity associated with the upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) has improved vastly. The diagnosis of this syndrome is dependent on a high degree of clinical suspicion, and in the presence of an already known pulmonary disease such as asthma, the identification of UARS may be elusive. Treatment of this condition has received more recent attention in the literature, with oral appliance therapy as a viable treatment option in place of the usual positive-pressure ventilation devices.

KEYWORD

Upper airway resistance syndrome - oral appliance - obstructive sleep apnea - asthma - continuous positive pressure ventilation - sleep disorder

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