AskDocDoc
/
/
/
can allergic rhinitis cause sleep apnea
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 31M : 00S
background image
Click Here
background image
Sleep-Related Disorders
Question #26879
90 days ago
174

can allergic rhinitis cause sleep apnea - #26879

Tara

I am really curious and a bit concerned about whether can allergic rhinitis cause sleep apnea since I’ve been struggling with both lately. This whole thing started a few months ago when I noticed I was sneezing and getting really congested, especially during springtime. My doctor said it’s allergic rhinitis and recommended some antihistamines, but I didn’t really see a big improvement. Now, I’ve also started to notice that I’m waking up at night feeling like I can’t breathe! I honestly didn't think that was related until I read somewhere about can allergic rhinitis cause sleep apnea. When I do manage to sleep, I feel tired all the time like I haven’t rested at all. Sometimes, it feels like I’m choking, and I’m not sure if that’s just how that works or if it has to do with my nose being all stuffy because of the rhinitis. I’ve tried a nasal spray and even saline rinses, but nothing seems to help. I’m just really confused! Could this allergic rhinitis be a factor in making my sleep apnea worse? I mean, is it that common for them to be connected? Just trying to figure out if I should push for more tests or maybe look for a sleep study? Thanks!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

Allergic rhinitis can indeed contribute to sleep apnea symptoms, although it’s not a direct cause. When you have allergic rhinitis, the nasal congestion that’s part of the condition can limit airflow through your nose, and this might lead to or worsen sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In OSA, the airway becomes blocked, often by relaxed throat muscles, leading to brief pauses in breathing during sleep. If the nasal passages are already restricted from your allergies, it could make breathing more difficult and trigger or exacerbate OSA symptoms, such as the choking or gasping sensations you’re experiencing. It’s pretty common for there’s a connection like this with nasal issues.

Antihistamines can help address the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by reducing inflammation and congestion, but they’re not always enough, especially if the nasal obstruction is severe or if sleep apnea is present. Nasal sprays and saline rinses are good additional measures to routinely clear your nasal passages. However, if these approaches don’t alleviate your symptoms, it might be time to bring this up with your doctor. They can assess whether a referral to a sleep specialist for a sleep study would be appropriate. This could help determine if you have sleep apnea and evaluate its severity. The sleep study results would guide appropriate treatment, which could involve Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, lifestyle changes, or other interventions specific to sleep apnea management.

Remember, poor sleep and feeling tired all the time shouldn’t be ignored—they can affect your overall well-being and day-to-day life. A comprehensive evaluation is important to address this interplay between allergic rhinitis and potential sleep apnea.

20252 answered questions
90% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


I have severe headache and neck pain on left side why it happens I also feel pain in eyes and nausea
is sleep apnea genetic
is sleep apnea a disability
Sleep problem like sleep paralysis
how to increase bed time
shoulder and neck pain from sleeping on side
What to do for frequent sleep interruptions and difficulty staying asleep at night?
how to sleep after gallbladder surgery
how to get good sleep at night home remedies
Tailbone pain WheneverI wokeup in
what causes sleep apnea
why do i sleep so much
is sleep apnea dangerous
does sleep apnea cause weight gain
do you burn calories when you sleep
urine on face overnight
How to treat severe headaches and insomnia in a migraine patient after a hectic week?
How to sleep properly at night.
how to get more deep sleep
Why does it feel so hard to wake up after sleeping, especially in the morning or at night?
how to get rid of dizziness while lying down
why am i sweating in my sleep
sleeping disorder symptoms
what causes severe leg cramps at night?
sleep disorder symptoms
Sleep problem since 7 days please give medicines with prescription
does warm milk help you sleep
Chronic Sleepiness and Difficulty Staying Awake
why is my mouth so dry when i wake up
sleeping yoga poses
sleeping position for neck and shoulder pain
What to do if I can't sleep for a week due to severe migraines?
types of sleep disorders
home remedies for deep sleep
How to remove Sleep problem ? I have been suffering from sleep.
how much deep sleep do you need
how to sleep according to vastu
why do i wake up with a headache and dry mouth
What to do if I have headaches and nausea from screen time despite wearing glasses?
is oversleeping bad
what deficiency causes numbness in hands while sleeping
how to stop sleep talking
Struggling with Insomnia and Daytime Fatigue
why do i want to sleep all the time and have no energy
Why do I suddenly wake up feeling anxious and have a racing heart after falling asleep?
yoga to reduce sleeping hours
face in the dark
sleeping problems solutions home remedies
How to control anxiety, as it leads to sudden sweating and palpitationsduring day time and a fear of mishappening in night leading to improper sleep
does magnesium help you sleep
what is sarpagandha
Struggling with Insomnia and Daytime Fatigue
How to withdraw alprazolam in 6 month with hypertension.
I am very stressed. I don't know what has happened suddenly...It has been going on for the last 10-11 days
I I get jerking moment at night while sleeping
What to do if I can't sleep more than 6 hours and feel tired every morning?
is it bad to sleep on your stomach
What to do if I can't sleep more than 6 hours and wake up tired every day?
how much magnesium should i take for leg cramps at night
Not getting sleep from many days what should i do
Sleeping on shoulder
can i drink abc juice at night
Is there any way to cure insomnia?
how to stop grinding teeth in sleep naturally
how to get rid of sleep instantly
pulmonology and sleep disorders
What to do if I have headaches and nausea from screen time even with glasses?
What causes headaches on the crown of my head and dry eyes that affect my focus?
how to sleep to avoid neck pain
solutions to shoulder pain from sleeping on side
can sleep apnea be cured
Concerns About Heart Palpitations and Shortness of Breath
shoulder pain from sleeping
why do i wake up tired after 8 hours of sleep
how to prevent sleep paralysis
How to treat difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep for the last few weeks?
can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure
is it healthy to sleep naked
Struggling with Insomnia and Sleep Issues
dark lamp method
how to avoid oversleeping
What causes difficulty waking up after sleeping and feeling heavy in the morning?
Insomnia, anxiety, depression se mukt hona hai
shoulder pain from sleeping on side
neend Nai aati hai Mam bada pareshan hu
natural remedies for deep sleep
types of sleeping disorders
How to feel normal and fresh before and after sleep?
how to sleep with sleep apnea without cpap
what is sleep apnea
does 5htp make you sleepy
warm milk with honey benefits
Anxiety About Sleep and Hypnagogic Imagery
I sleep alot even if I'm not feeling sleepy, I'm lazy throughout the day, I've several deficiencies in my body too like iron
Insomia from 5-6 months have used some meds
What could be causing my friend's inability to sleep for months and sudden passing out?
what is a natural remedy for dry mouth at night
side sleeping shoulder pain
What causes sudden awakenings with panic and racing heart during sleep?
how to get rid of dry throat at night