NE Valley Times

• People suffering with chronic sinusitis often experience low-quality sleep.

• Having chronic sinusitis increases a person's risk of developing sleep apnea.

• Sleep apnea, in turn, increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and heart disease.

Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center says people who suffer from chronic sinusitis often have poor sleep quality and are more likely to develop sleep apnea, which can lead to other, more serious health problems.  

"When chronic inflammation takes place inside the nose, that reduces the ability for us to get good-quality sleep," Gergits told the NE Valley Times. "And when that happens, sleep apnea could occur. We can sometimes see heart disease, strokes, and/or high blood pressure with untreated sleep apnea. So there's no doubt about it: If we can maximize the nasal function, we can maximize the quality of sleep as well."

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 60 to 75% of chronic sinusitis patients also suffer from poor sleep. By contrast, only 8 to 18% of people who do not have chronic sinusitis experience have sleep problems. Sleeping poorly is connected to a lower quality of life and other issues, such as a higher risk of depression.

Silent Night Therapy reports that sinusitis can lead to coughing, as well as sleep apnea. People who have sleep apnea often wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, experience headaches and have fatigue throughout the day.  

Sleep apnea is more common in men and people who are overweight, according to the American Heart Association. Sleep apnea sufferers face an increased risk of heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S.

Several surgical treatment options are available, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty, according to WebMD. Endoscopy is a procedure in which doctors insert thin, flexible instruments called endoscopes, which send images of the sinus cavity back to a computer screen, allowing doctors to see where the sinuses are blocked. This allows for the removal of polyps, scar tissue and other blockages. Because no incisions are made in the skin and only local anesthetic is used, patients are able to recover quickly.

Gergits also recommends balloon sinuplasty for some patients. The procedure is one in which a thin tube is placed into the nose with a small balloon attached. The doctor then guides the balloon to the blocked area of the sinuses and inflates it, which clears the sinuses, allowing the patient to breathe more effectively.

If you're interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment of chronic sinusitis, please take this Allergy & Sinus Quiz.