• 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. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers wants people who are suffering from poor sleep to be aware that the issue may be connected to their sinus problems, which fortunately can be treated.
"With some things, there's a direct correlation: Having a deviated septum and sinuses filled with (fluid) has a direct correlation with the way you breathe through your nose," Trimble told Lone Star Standard. “But there are things that are more distant, like sleep, cognitive ability -- as far as how sharp you are when you wake up in the morning. If you're breathing poorly at night, you're developing sleep apnea and there's increased stress over time. One thing we know for a fact is that people with obstructive sleep apnea have higher blood pressure. I've definitely seen patients who haven't been diagnosed with sleep apnea who, after their sinus procedures, have lowered their blood pressure. We know that breathing issues at night can cause hypertension -- and untreated hypertension, most certainly, increases the risk of stroke.”
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 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, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
