Montgomery News

• 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.

Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is shedding light on how the side effects of sinusitis, such as headaches and congestion, can lead to poor sleep.

“Inflammation of our nasal passages certainly can affect our quality of sleep,” Khanna told Montgomery News. “We know the nose plays a role in snoring and sleep apnea, so when we're dealing with inflamed sinuses, getting into that deeper realm of sleep, it can prevent that from happening. If there's a headache or facial pain, you're not going to get into that deep REM sleep as easily. Then your alarm clock rings to get ready for work, and you just haven't gotten into REM sleep because you've been dealing with these annoying symptoms that are triggered by the sinus inflammation.”

A study published by Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy found that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis are more likely to experience poor-quality sleep. While 8 to 18% of the general population suffers from sleep disruption, the study found that 60 to 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.

Among the 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 hard to concentrate during the day and 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, and drinking too much caffeine or alcohol.

The Sleep Foundation recommends several ways to improve sleep quality, including implementing a consistent sleep schedule, not watching television or looking at a phone or computer within 30 minutes of going to bed, avoiding alcohol or caffeine before bed, and starting a relaxing bedtime routine. People are advised to talk to a doctor if these suggestions don’t improve their quality of sleep.

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

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