Allergies and Sleep

Do you have an itchy and runny nose all the time?

Do you awake in the middle of your sleep and see water in your eyes and stuffy nose?

 

Are you sneezing all night?

These can be caused because of allergies. Having an allergy is no joke. It’s a serious problem to have. An allergy includes a runny nose, itchy feeling, watery eyes, and also poor sleep. Allergy is thought to affect 20-30% of adults and can be seen more in children. So it should be diagnosed and avoided the causes which create this allergy.

How does allergy affect sleep?

Nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing are the symptoms of allergy. Two reasons why allergy affects sleep are- allergy affects your breathing and it gets worse at night. For these two major reasons sleep tends to become fragmented and sleep deprivation occurs.

Without a night of good sleep, you become tired and drowsy in the daytime. It affects your learning ability, work performance, creativity. Poor sleep increases stress and stress makes it even harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. People with allergies tend to be awake several times at night due to nasal congestion, sneezing, or coughing. And allergy becomes worse at night than daytime. As a result, people tend to have insomnia, nighttime awakening, daytime sleepiness. They’re also at risk of having sleep-related breathing disorders.

What are the common allergies that affect sleep?

Allergies can be seasonal or they can stay the whole year, or depending upon where you live. The common reasons for which allergies occur and which lead to sleep problems are-

• Dust Mites.

• Pollen.

• Mold spores.

• Pet dander.

• Cockroaches.

• Household products.

• Cigarette smoke.

What kind of problems comes from an allergy?

People with allergic rhinitis are more likely to suffer from sleep issues. Allergy can affect all aspects of sleep. Some are-

• Insomnia.

• Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

• Snoring.

• Increased risk of sleep apnea.

• Poor sleep efficiency.

• Short sleep.

• Nighttime awakening.

These are some of the problems that occur at night. But some problems occur in the daytime also. People having allergies and for that having sleep problems are more likely to have trouble waking up, experience daytime sleepiness, suffer from a morning headache sinus.

For some people, allergy develops more serious problems.

• Bedwetting.

• Restless sleep.

• Obstructive sleep apnea.

• High blood pressure.

• Cardiovascular disease.

• Difficulty losing weight.

Studies have shown that allergy increases the risk of OSA in children also. Children with sleep breathing problems are more likely to have allergy rhinitis than those who don’t have sleep apnea. Poor sleep in children can cause behavioral problems, difficulty with memory and concentration, lack of interest, worsened IQ.

How can you sleep better with allergies?

Sleeping with an allergy can be difficult but is not impossible. Some tips for getting good sleep with allergies are-

• Use Air purifiers: Air purifier helps clear your bedroom air of allergens like dust, mold, pet dander, etc. It even helps to sleep without having an allergy. So using an air purifier is a good option with or without allergy.

• Close doors and windows: Keeping your doors and windows closed doesn’t allow any allergens to come from outside. This helps the house to be free of allergens.

• Keep your furniture dust free- Keep your furniture and all your belongings in the room as dust-free as possible. Avoid using upholstered furniture in the bedroom. Avoid dust collector products like fake flowers, stuffed animals, old books, etc.

• Keep pets out of the bedroom: Pet dander is a common allergen. So keeping your pet away from the room you sleep in helps you keep away from allergies.

• Change up your laundry routine: If you’re prone to allergy don’t dry your clothes outside. Instead of that use a drier. If you are spending time outside, take your clothes off and put that in the laundry immediately after returning. Shower before bed: Taking shower before bed makes you fresh and free of all the pollen and dust away. It helps you to sleep well. Take allergy medications at night: If you are taking any kind of medication in the morning, shift this time tonight. Take the medication at night. Talk to your doctor: Talk to your doctor as they will guide you depending on what kind of allergy you have. There are several options like over-the-counter medication, prescription medication, lifestyle changes that can provide relief.

Anti Allergy Precautions:

Allergic Rhinitis is a troublesome problem. Though there is no absolute cure to allergic Rhinitis, some precautions can be taken to avoid the allergens which cause Allergic Rhinitis. As this problem can be inherited genetically, avoid the substances that the other family members allergic to. In case of seasonal allergy, some medications like Cromolyn Sodium and Nasal Corticosteroids can help reducing the symptoms.

Cleaning:

i. Damp-mop hard floor every day.

ii.Vacuum all carpets and furniture.

iii. Wet vacuum cleaning when possible.

Controlling dust mites:

People get infected by the droppings of dust mites which are small insects, only visible through microscope.

i. Keep house aired out and dry.

ii. Steam cleaning carpets when possible.

iii. Use chemicals that kills the insects.

iv. Cover pillows, mattress, box spring with allergen proof cover.

Controlling dust and dust mites at home:

i. Do not use attic or window fans.

ii. Use air conditioner and keep windows closed if possible.

iii. Avoid dust collecting products like stuffed toys, books, fake flowers.

iv.Avoid carpets and furniture that collects dust.

v. Avoid woolen blankets.

Control animal dander and other pet allergens:

i. Keep your pets out of your bedroom.

ii. Wash or brush your pets once a week.

iii. Do not allow your pet on the furniture and bed.

iv. Clean the areas where your pet sleeps.

Controlling indoor molds:

Molds or fungus is a common problem and causes allergy.

i. Storing fireplace wood outside the room.

ii. Use exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom to vent excess moisture.

iii. Using dehumidifier during humid weather.

iv. Avoid damp areas like attic, crawl spaces, basement. And repair those areas.