West NY News

• 60–75% of people with chronic sinusitis struggle with sleep apnea.
• There are simple steps that a sinusitis sufferer can take to improve their sleep.
• Studies have shown that patients who undergo minimally invasive sinus procedures find that their sleep quality improves drastically.

Dr. Joseph Capo of Capo Nose & Sinus Center said sinusitis can lead to sleep disruption, even for those who have never suffered from sleep apnea. That's why it's encouraged to seek treatment from a specialist before these issues become permanent.

"When the sinuses are inflamed, it can severely impact a patient's ability to breathe through their nose and trigger a generalized hyper-inflammatory response in their body. This inflammation can significantly disrupt sleep, even in patients who don't have sleep apnea," Dr. Capo told West NY News. "Individuals with chronic sinusitis often have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. However, after their sinusitis is adequately treated, we often observe a significant improvement in their sleep quality."

A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis are much more likely to experience poor-quality sleep. While 8–18% of the general population suffers from sleep disruption, the study found that 60–75% 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, decreased quality of life, difficulty concentrating, fatigue throughout the day, and decreased memory and productivity.

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 difficult to concentrate during the day, or 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, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. To improve sleep quality, the Sleep Foundation recommends implementing a consistent sleep schedule, not watching TV 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 to a doctor.

Many patients who choose to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic sinusitis find that their quality of sleep drastically improves, according to Atlanta ENT. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent sinus surgery found significant improvement in the patients' sleep quality and overall quality of life.