Okeechobee Times

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults and is responsible for 4.1 million doctor visits annually.
• Studies show that individuals who suffer from chronic sinusitis experience an increased number of awakenings during a night's sleep. 
• It is believed that chronic sinusitis is also a primary contributing factor for snoring and sleep apnea.

The week of March 10-16 is Sleep Awareness Week, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists would like to remind patients how sinus issues can affect sleep patterns. According to Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free, sinusitis can severely impact sleep quality and quality of life.

"This doesn’t always happen, but I've had cases where a patient can't breathe through their nose, so they breathe all night through their mouth," Dr. Aull told the Okeechobee Times. "When you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose, you have a higher likelihood of snoring. Now, I don't want to say that that's the sole cause, but sinus issues can certainly affect your sleep."

A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis are more likely to experience poor-quality sleep. While 8-18% of the general population suffers from sleep disruption, the study found that 60-75% of people with chronic sinusitis experience sleep disruption. The study found that chronic sinusitis patients who experience sleep disruption are also more likely to experience depression, a decreased quality of life, difficulty concentrating, fatigue throughout the day, and decreased memory and productivity.

Signs that your sleep quality could be better include taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night, regularly waking up more than once during the night, experiencing breakouts, having red or puffy eyes or dark circles under the eyes, finding it difficult to concentrate during the day, or feeling tired throughout the day. In addition to chronic health conditions, factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality include stress and anxiety, the absence of a regular sleep schedule, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. To improve sleep quality, the Sleep Foundation recommends implementing a consistent sleep schedule, not watching TV or looking at a phone or computer within 30 minutes of going to bed, not drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed, and starting a relaxing bedtime routine. If sleep quality does not improve after implementing those changes, it could be time to consult a doctor.

Many patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery to treat chronic sinusitis find that after the surgery, their quality of sleep drastically improves, according to Atlanta ENT. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent sinus surgery found significant improvement in the patients' sleep quality and overall quality of life.

Sleep Awareness Week celebrates sleep health and encourages the public to prioritize sleep to improve their overall health and well-being. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep is a key factor in both physical and mental health. They report that about 65% of Americans who are dissatisfied with their sleep experience worsened health symptoms.

Dr. Aull earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, according to West Palm Beach Breathe Free's website. Following that, he finished his residency in otolaryngology and surgery, which included an ENT internship, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Missouri. He has also served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy.