Hernando Reporter

• 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.

Chronic sinusitis, according to Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, and its accompanying congestion can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

"Many people who have chronic sinusitis are chronically fatigued,” Pate told the Hernando Reporter. “They're not sleeping well and they're not focusing. They don't have good concentration.”

Pate noted that people suffering from chronic sinusitis often are overwhelmed by the symptoms.

“After we treat the sinuses and I perform the (balloon) sinuplasty or another procedure to open up the sinuses, they can breathe better,” she said. “They'll sleep better."

A study published by the Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy found that people who are suffering from chronic sinusitis are more likely to sleep poorly. The study also found that anywhere from 8 to 18% of the general population has problems sleeping, while 60 to 75% of people with chronic sinusitis have problems sleeping.

The study found that people suffering with chronic sinusitis are more likely to be depressed, suffer from a lower quality of life, have problems concentrating, experience tiredness throughout the day, and suffer from memory and productivity issues.

The Sleep Foundation said a sign that your quality of sleep is suffering is the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. If it takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep and you wake up more than once during the night, have red or puffy eyes or dark circles under the eyes, it could indicate that you are being affected by the your lack of sleep.

The Sleep Foundation recommends that people who are having sleep problems set up a consistent sleep schedule, avoid watching television or looking at the phone or computer 30 minutes before retiring for the night, avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed, and engage in a relaxation regimen before bedtime. If none of these methods do the trick, it could be time to see a doctor.

According to the Atlanta ENT Sinus & Allergy Associates, patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis may elect to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to treat their condition, which often results in an improved quality of sleep. The website also cited a study of more than 500 patients who underwent a sinus procedure and had significant improvement in their sleep and quality of life.

For more information about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.