The onset of summer brings forth the season of allergies for many. As plants germinate and release pollen and spores, allergic people express symptoms like sneezing, itching, or a runny nose, but in many of these people, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring arise too.
Snoring hampers the sleep quality of both the snorer and the person they share a bed with, resulting in fatigue and drowsiness the following day.
Mood and memory are also negatively affected and if sustained long-term, it weakens immunity. Since it affects an individual’s quality of life, knowing what is causing the snoring is of high importance.
How Do Allergies Cause Snoring?
A person snores when air is trying to flow through a constricted or blocked airway because a congested nose creates suction forces that vibrate the soft palate and uvula, creating the rumbling and whistling sound associated with snoring. Therefore, nasal congestion and snoring go hand in hand.
Many people have a hypersensitive immune system that is prone to allergies. Indoor allergens such as dust mites, animal fur, and mold spores, and outdoor ones like pollen and spores result in symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fatigue, red eyes, throat, and eye itchiness, and nasal congestion.
This condition is termed allergic rhinitis which could either be perennial (occurring throughout the year) or seasonal (depending on pollen and mold content in the air) in which case it is called hay fever.
Since these allergic reactions damage the membranes lining the nose, it obstructs the airway. As this membrane becomes inflamed, a lot of mucus is also produced which further clogs up the path, and this blockage and its consequent disruption in airflow cause louder and more frequent snoring.
It is for this reason that people with allergic rhinitis are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea (temporary lapses in breathing during sleep) and snoring, and they experience symptoms such as fatigue and lightheadedness.
Similarly, irritants such as cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes may also harm the airway lining and cause snoring.
How Do I Know If My Snoring Is Due To Allergies?
Snoring can be caused by many reasons such as nasal and sinus problems, fitness level, and sleep position among others. While visiting an allergist and/or asleep physician is the ideal way of obtaining a conclusive snoring diagnosis, multiple factors hint at whether allergies may be the culprit.
The symptoms are the first giveaway. Do you have a blocked nose during the day? If yes, that nasal congestion and snoring are probably related.
Additionally, If a blocked nose is not your only symptom and there are others like itchy throat and eyes and a cough, you may have allergic rhinitis. To differentiate between that and the common cold, consider that allergic symptom are more rapid and sudden than the common cold symptoms which develop more slowly.
Other considerations include the presence of carpets and other soft furnishings in your home (they trap dust which attracts dust mites), whether you have pets, whether this nasal congestion and snoring are seasonal, and most importantly, if it becomes better when you are away from home or at work.
If it does improve at a distance, something at home is triggering your allergies and affecting your sleep quality.
What Do I Do Now?
Allergic rhinitis is an extremely common condition, making snoring due to congestion an ordinary occurrence. Although these symptoms are annoying, they can be treated promptly and should therefore not be highly worried about.
The easiest mode of action is to try to keep yourself away from allergens as much as practically possible. This includes dusting your room and ceiling fan efficiently, washing all bedding and pillowcases, and investing in a humidifier or air purifier. A hypoallergenic pillow could help too and if pet fur is the reason, sleeping in a different room might be a good idea.
If additional intervention is required, over-the-counter antihistamines or shots for allergies can help. Nasal steroid sprays can also be used as a decongestant for snoring to improve the quality of your sleep.
If none of these work, you must consult your primary care physician.
The Bottom Line
Allergic rhinitis is a common contributor to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring. While there could be other reasons, it is one of the most usual ones, but that is not a cause of concern. Seeking treatment for this is as easy as simple lifestyle changes and some medicine, you will be back in no time to a soundless and peaceful good night’s sleep.
