For those who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, seasonal allergies may be a big part of the problem. Spring allergies causing snoring, congestion and related sleep issues have become more prevalent over the years. To learn how seasonal allergies may be affecting your quality of life, let’s take a few moments to evaluate the impact of allergies on snoring and explore how these problems can be treated, both at-home and with minimally invasive in-office treatments.
Do Seasonal Allergies Cause Snoring?
Spring allergens such as pollen from trees, weeds and grass are all common contributors to snoring. Recognizing what you’re allergic to and taking an active effort to avoid those allergens is an important first step to fixing your snoring problems.
Allergens can cause nasal passages to swell, restricting airflow and making breathing during sleep more difficult. In addition to snoring, there are a variety of additional allergy symptoms to look out for, including:
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Itchy, red eyes
- Runny nose or congested sinuses
If you are experiencing these symptoms along with snoring, it’s probable that allergies are the primary problem.
At-Home Treatment Options for Allergies & Snoring
In some cases, symptoms of snoring can be improved by incorporating simple practices into your daily life. Get a good night’s rest without waking up your partner by exploring a few of these at-home remedies:
- Use a Humidifier – A humidifier will ensure the air in your bedroom contains moisture to help break up mucus in the nose, allowing for easier breathing. If you are constantly waking up with a dry throat, it may be due to low humidity levels in your home.
- Try Sleeping On Your Side – Snoring is most common when individuals sleep on their back, as this position causes the tongue to fall toward the back of the throat, obstructing the airway.
- Apply a Menthol Rub Before Bed – A small amount of menthol rub applied to your chest before bed may help keep your nose and throat clear throughout the night.
- Use an Extra Pillow – By elevating your head with another pillow, your sinuses may clear up more quickly rather than collecting in your nasal cavities.
- Use a Neti Pot – This age-old remedy for sinus issues can often work wonders to break up mucus and alleviate symptoms caused by allergies.
In-Office Snoring Treatment Options
When at-home remedies aren’t effective, there are several in-office treatments available that have helped millions get the rest they need. If snoring caused by allergies continues to be an obstacle in your life, consider some of these effective treatment options:
- Balloon Sinuplasty – Minimally invasive and extremely successful, Balloon Sinuplasty works to open up sinus cavities that have been blocked, causing sinus pressure and pain. This treatment is effective in treating conditions like chronic sinusitis and is completed in under 30 minutes using only local anesthesia.
- Coblation Turbinate Reduction – Another minimally invasive treatment, a Coblation turbinate reduction procedure utilizes radio frequency energy to clear nasal passageways of enlarged nasal turbinates, obstructions that can cause snoring or sleep apnea. This treatment option takes under 30 minutes to complete.
To receive the best possible treatment options for your snoring, make an appointment with a board-certified eos sleep physician today to receive a complete diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan. Don’t tolerate another sleepless night due to seasonal allergies. eos sleep will help get your snoring under control.