Chronic sinus problems are one reason that people may begin snoring. | Pexels/Kampus Production
Chronic sinus problems are one reason that people may begin snoring. | Pexels/Kampus Production
• Chronic sinusitis can lead to snoring.
• Snoring can cause other medical issues, including higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
• A balloon sinuplasty can fix chronic sinus problems.
Chronic sinus problems can contribute to snoring, and that can lead to daytime fatigue, headaches, nighttime chest pain and morning sore throats, according to Kaplan Sinus Relief.
If you’re tired of not feeling well because snoring is cutting into your quality of sleep, balloon sinuplasty might be something to consider.
"We're supposed to breathe through our nose, not our mouth. Now you've got obstruction in the nose,” Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center told Litchfield Hills Today. “You are completely reversing what's supposed to be happening, which can lead to poor sleep because you're not comfortable breathing. It's waking you up."
Snoring is a natural physiological reaction that occurs if you’re unable to breathe properly through your nose while sleeping. Breathing through the mouth while sleeping causes the airways to narrow and the soft tissue in the throat to vibrate, causing the snoring sound.
While snoring can result from inflamed or infected sinuses, other factors could come into play, too. The Cleveland Clinic cites drinking alcohol, taking muscle-relaxing sedatives, pregnancy-related hormones and being overweight as factors. Occasional snoring might not be serious, but snoring over a long period of time can lead to health problems ranging from a lower blood oxygen level to high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Balloon sinuplasty can go a long way to minimize snoring and other problems that stem from chronic sinusitis. The procedure is relatively simple. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician inserts a tiny balloon into your nasal sinuses and inflates it, opening up the sinuses to help you breathe more easily. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, is minimally invasive, pain-free and done in the office.
Some recommended at-home remedies are sleeping on your side, sleeping with your head elevated or using nasal strips as short-term snoring solutions.
If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
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