Okeechobee Times

• Chronic sinusitis can cause poor-quality sleep, which can lead to other negative health consequences.
• Other factors that could contribute to poor sleep are stress and anxiety, an irregular sleep schedule and consuming too much alcohol or caffeine.
• Poor sleep can cause bad moods, an inability to focus and depression.

According to Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, the symptoms of chronic sinusitis can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

"We know that chronic sinus disease worsens sleep,” Aull told the Okeechobee Times. “We also know that bad sleep is horrible for the mind. We know that if you're not getting a good night's sleep, your risk for Alzheimer's disease starts to go through the roof.”

People who are suffering from chronic sinusitis are more likely to sleep poorly, according to a study by the Expert Review of Anti-Invective Therapy. The study found that anywhere from 8 to 18% of the general population may have problems sleeping, while 60 to 75% of people with chronic sinusitis have problems sleeping.

“A small amount of sleep is a huge problem,” Aull said. “I don't know about you, but I've never been able to sleep if I can't breathe through my nose. So we fix that. Sometimes people get addicted to Afrin because they're trying to get to sleep, and they can't breathe through their nose. That's a quick fix. But the bigger question is: Why do we need that? You need to see somebody so that we can fix the real problem and get better sleep. It correlates with absolutely everything. So helping your sinuses can help a myriad of different things."

The study that found people suffering with chronic sinusitis are more likely to be depressed, suffer from a lower quality of life, have problems concentrating, experience tiredness throughout the day, and suffer from memory and productivity issues.

According to the Sleep Foundation, a sign that your quality of sleep is suffering is the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. If it takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep and you wake up more than once during the night, have red or puffy eyes or dark circles under the eyes, it could indicate that you are being affected by your lack of sleep.

The Sleep Foundation recommends that people who are having these problems set up a consistent sleep schedule, avoid watching television or looking at the phone or computer 30 minutes before retiring for the night, avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed, and engage in a relaxation regimen before bedtime. If none of that does the trick, it could be time to see a doctor.

Atlanta ENT Sinus & Allergy Associates said that patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis may elect to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to treat their condition, which often results in an improved quality of sleep. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent a sinus procedure had significant improvement in their sleep and quality of life.

For more information about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.