East Panhandle 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.  

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 also 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.

"Nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis or chronic allergies really affect one's quality of life," Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told East Panhandle News. "If you have a poor outlook on life, because you're always suffering from allergies or sinusitis, it's going to affect the rest of your general health. So if you can get your nose in tiptop shape, you're going to feel better, and you'll want to do more things, and you're going to overall improve your quality of health."

Signs that your sleep quality could be better can 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, according to the Sleep Foundation.

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 television 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 talk a doctor.

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.