{"id":3733,"date":"2020-05-12T10:30:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T10:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=3733"},"modified":"2020-05-12T10:30:14","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T10:30:14","slug":"do-allergies-cause-insomnia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/do-allergies-cause-insomnia\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Allergies Cause Insomnia?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Allergies<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s always nice when spring is here \u2013 but those of us with seasonal allergies might be a bit concerned about how this season affects our sleep. And with good reason! A study<\/a> published in the Archives of Internal Medicine<\/em> showed that people with hay fever and other allergies have difficulty sleeping. These folks are also more than twice as likely as non-allergy sufferers to deal with sleep disorders like insomnia.<\/p>\n

Why Do We Get Allergies?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Allergies come about when pollen (abundant in the spring) and other allergens, such as house dust and pet dander, irritate the nasal passages. This causes symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes, and affects up to 50% of all Americans.<\/p>\n

Insomnia, sleep apnea (irregular breathing) and other sleep disorders affect up to 30% of Americans.<\/p>\n

What Causes Allergies to Get Worse?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Allergy symptoms tend to get worse during the night for a variety of reasons. Allergies cause the nasal passages to swell, so there\u2019s less room for air to pass through, making nose breathing difficult. Cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone, is at its lowest level overnight. This causes a higher level of inflammation in the nose and lungs. Lying down to sleep brings gravity into play, and that can cause congestion to shift, making nose breathing even more difficult. Also, exposure to dust mites and pets is more common at night, which increases allergy symptoms. And histamine, which is actively involved in the regulation of sleep, may worsen allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n

With all of this going on, it\u2019s easy to see how breathing through the mouth could cause a dry mouth or sore throat. Postnasal drip from a runny nose can cause you to cough. Interrupted breathing, or sleep apnea, can lead to snoring. And when we\u2019re not breathing properly, we\u2019re more likely to get a headache. All of these things also interfere with our sleep.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no surprise that the worse the allergy symptoms are, the more trouble people have both getting to sleep and staying asleep. And even when they do sleep, allergy sufferers often report that they feel sleepy during the day. Most say that their allergy symptoms, like sneezing and sniffling, also disrupt their partner\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n

What Can You Do?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

So what can we do during allergy season to help us get a good night\u2019s sleep?<\/p>\n

Make the Bedroom Ideal for Better Sleep<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n