It’s frustrating not to get the sleep you need, and sleep deprivation can have some significant ripple effects on your overall health, but sometimes, getting a good night’s rest is impeded by nasal congestion, nasal blockage or other sinus issues. If your sinus issues are keeping you up at night, read on to find ways to help.
Causes of Nasal Blockage
Nasal blockages, as the name suggests, block the airways in your nose, causing you to feel like there’s not enough air flowing through your nose while you breathe. Some common causes of this include:
- Inflammation in the sinuses. This can be caused by dry air, a virus—such as the common cold or the flu—allergies or sinusitis.
- Nose injuries, such as a broken nose.
- Deviated septum. This is when the wall that divides your two nostrils is crooked.
- Nasal polyps. These noncancerous growths form in the tissues lining your nose.
- In children, foreign objects stuck in the nose or enlarged adenoids are common causes of nasal blockage. These are less common in adults.
Why Sinus Issues Disrupt Sleep
When you’re suffering from a nasal blockage of any type, breathing through your nose becomes difficult. This means you may start breathing through your mouth, which can dry out your throat and cause your tongue and soft palate to fall back into your throat, blocking your airways. This can cause you to either wake up suddenly from a lack of air or start snoring.
Chronic rhinosinusitis, a disease that causes sinus inflammation and recurrent sinus infections, is a major contributor to nasal-related sleep disruption; studies show that it is associated with significantly worse sleep quality and is strongly linked to sleep apnea.
How to Find Relief
The way to relieve your sinus issues and get a good night’s sleep depends on the cause of your nasal blockage. If the issue is inflammation, you can elevate your head while sleeping, take anti-inflammatory decongestants, put a humidifier next to your bed, use a warm compress on your nose and face and stay hydrated. Your sleep quality should return to normal once the inflammation subsides.
If, however, your congestion is caused by a more structural or chronic issue, an ENT specialist can help you find long-lasting relief. We can help you with treating allergies, sleep apnea or chronic rhinosinusitis, and we’re also specialized in sinus procedures that open up sinus passageways and allow for that airflow you need to get your rest. Call us to learn more.
