Litchfield Hills Today

• 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. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center, the symptoms of chronic sinusitis can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

"We're supposed to breathe through our nose, not our mouth,” Weiss told Litchfield Hills Today. “You've got obstruction in the nose. You are completely reversing what's supposed to be happening, which can lead to poor sleep because you're not comfortable breathing.”

People who are suffering from chronic sinusitis are more likely to sleep poorly, according to a study by Expert Review of Anti-Infective 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.

The study also found that 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 impacted by your lack of rest.

The Sleep Foundation recommends that people who are having sleep problems should 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 this none of this does the trick, it could be time to see a doctor.

Atlanta ENT Sinus & Allergy Associates pointed out that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis may elect to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic sinusitis, which often results in an improved quality of sleep. According the website, a study of more than 500 patients who underwent this procedure had significant improvement in their sleep and overall quality of life.

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