Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, was diagnosed in almost 18 million adults in the U.S. in 2009, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An annoyance for some, allergic rhinitis could become extremely troublesome and even dangerous if you also suffer from a sleep disorder, especially one that compromises your breathing.
Background
A sleep disorder is any condition that keeps you from getting adequate sleep at night, typically producing potentially problematic daytime symptoms, such as excessive daytime fatigue, moodiness and concentration problems. Two of the most common sleep disorders are sleep apnea and insomnia. Allergic rhinitis affects people when they breathe in a substance that their bodies are allergic to, such as plant pollen or dust mite debris. Symptoms of the condition, including a runny or congested nose and itchy, watery eyes, could develop seasonally or throughout the year, depending on the allergen.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are generally more likely to experience more severe apnea symptoms if they also have allergic rhinitis. At night, OSA sufferers who have active symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as nasal congestion, typically experience longer and more frequent pauses in breathing, says Dr. Bernard Bertrand , otolaryngologist and contributing author in “Rhinologic and Sleep Apnea Surgical Techniques.” Although the exact manner in which allergic rhinitis affects OSA is still somewhat unclear, nasal congestion and inflammation serve to constrict and narrow the nasal passages, which severely limits breathing.
Insomnia
Various symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as postnasal drip, affect sleep quality drastically and can result in repeated nighttime awakenings and insomnia, notes Dr. Kenneth Plotkin, board-certified sleep specialist and contributing author in “Clinical Handbook of Insomnia.” Sufferers from allergic rhinitis are more likely to experience severe or ongoing insomnia, according to a study published in the September 2006 issue of “Archives of Internal Medicine.” Led by Dr. Damien Leger, researchers examined the prevalence of various sleep problems, including insomnia, in a group of 591 individuals diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and a group of 502 non-rhinitis-diagnosed individuals. While only 16 percent of those without allergic rhinitis suffered from insomnia, over twice as many -- 36 percent -- of those with allergic rhinitis had insomnia. Although other factors could also be at play, those with more severe allergic rhinitis experienced more severe insomnia symptoms, pointed out Dr Leger.
Considerations
If you have a sleep disorder and suspect you might also have allergic rhinitis, talk to your primary care physician about possible treatments, such as antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids. Since allergic rhinitis swells your nasal passages and limits your breathing, minimizing the nasal inflammation and accompanying symptoms could ease your breathing and play a role in improving nocturnal sleep and overall quality of life. If your doctor does prescribe medication for your allergic rhinitis, take it for the proper timeframe to maximize its effectiveness.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Allergies and Hay Fever Fast Stats
- “Primary Care Respiratory Journal”; Allergic Rhinitis-Induced Nasal Congestion: Its Impact on Sleep Quality; Dr. William Storms; March 2008
- “Rhinologic and Sleep Apnea Surgical Techniques”; Dr. Bernard Bertrand, et al.; 2007
- “Clinical Handbook of Insomnia”; Dr. Kenneth Plotkin, et al.; 2010
- “Archives of Internal Medicine”; Allergic Rhinitis and its Consequences on Sleep Quality; Dr. Damien Leger, et al.; September 2006
