Sinus Problems and Snoring
How are sinus problems and snoring related to each other? During sleep, your body instinctively tries to breathe through the nose. Sometimes, however, your sinuses can leave your nose too congested to breathe through. In response to this nasal congestion, you will breathe through your mouth. Once you begin breathing through your mouth, the muscles in your throat might relax past a certain degree and cause you to start snoring.
Snoring may be the butt of many jokes, but chronic sinus snoring can lead to an increased risk of experiencing other, more serious health issues.
Causes of Sinus Problems and Snoring
Can sinus problems cause you to snore? Or, to put it differently, can bad sinuses cause snoring? Unfortunately, occasional and chronic sinus problems can induce you to snore. Snoring occurs for many reasons, but there are specific reasons for the combination of sinus problems and snoring, as well:
- Sinusitis
- Humidity
- Allergies
- Sinus obstructions (related reading: nasal polyps and sinusitis)
- Deviated septum/enlarged turbinates
Muscle relaxants, alcohol, smoking, obesity, and pregnancy can also cause snoring and exacerbate sinus-related snoring. Sleeping on your back can increase snoring, as well.
Sinus snoring symptoms
People with nasal congestion snoring may occasionally experience some of the following symptoms to some degree.
- Restless sleep
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sore throat upon awakening
- Headaches upon awakening
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Getting up frequently to urinate during the night
- Increased likelihood of heart disease and stroke
Sinus snoring causes and effects can extend beyond the individual who snores. Your bed partner’s habits (such as drinking or smoking) can also increase your likelihood of snoring. Speaking of your bed partner, they will likely lose sleep due to your snoring — at least 1 hour a night, one study estimates.
Can sinus problems cause sleep apnea? Yes, sinusitis and sleep apnea are sometimes linked. If you or your partner experience any of the following sinus snoring symptoms regularly, it’s possible that you’re experiencing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious sleep disorder, and should probably visit a doctor.
How do I treat my snoring? Sinus snoring treatment with balloon sinuplasty
How can you relieve snoring caused by sinus problems? For many, balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive option among ENT treatments for sinusitis, has been the answer to their sinus problems and snoring. A physician conducts the balloon sinuplasty procedure by inserting a small, partially-inflated balloon and a saline solution into your sinuses. This procedure should open up your blocked sinus cavities.
Once healthy drainage has been restored, you should be able to breathe through your nose again, which will help you cut back on sinus snoring and get a restful night’s sleep.
Get your full 40 winks with balloon sinuplasty
Sinus snoring is treatable. Balloon sinuplasty is a quick, practically painless, in-office procedure with little to no recovery time. Dr. Bequer, a leading ENT doctor and balloon sinuplasty physician, performs balloon sinuplasty in Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Fall asleep knowing that you’re no longer struggling with sinus problems and snoring. Call Sinus Solutions of South Florida at 561-790-7744 to request a consultation today.
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