How Does Congestion Affect Sleep and How Can I Find Relief?

Posted on by Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists

Getting a good night’s rest is crucial to a good day and a healthy body. Poor sleep affects how you think, work, react and interact with others. Long-term sleep issues can even increase your risk for chronic health problems like coronary heart disease or high blood pressure.

One factor that can contribute to poor sleep quality is nasal congestion.

How Can Congestion Affect Sleep?

Woman in bed blowing her nose.

Congestion can make it difficult to breathe easily. For many people, the discomfort or anxiety associated with blocked breathing makes it difficult to fall asleep and causes more tossing and turning at night, leading to shorter, lower-quality sleep.

What’s Causing My Congestion?

Many things could contribute to frequent congestion, but a few of the most common include:

  • Allergies. Allergies don’t just crop up around spring. Indoor allergens like mold, pet dander and dust mites can be especially troublesome during the winter and at night, when you spend more time at home.
  • Sinus infections. A sinus infection is an inflammation of the tissues in the sinus passages. It’s typically the result of other nasal issues like colds and flu.
  • Dry air. Dry air is no stranger to Phoenix residents. Our city’s trademark low humidity helps make hot summers more comfortable, but it can also dry out the nasal passages, leading to inflammation and congestion.
  • Deviated septum. A deviated septum is a misalignment of the thin wall dividing your sinus cavity. The deviation can lead to more frequent congestion.
  • Nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are tear-shaped growths along the nasal and sinus cavities. They’re typically benign but can cause congestion if they grow too large.

Congestion is uncomfortable, but luckily, you have lots of options to manage it.

Managing Congestion for a Dream-Filled Night

You don’t need to let congestion steal away your much-needed rest. Try a few of the following:

  • Clean your home. Clean your home regularly, paying extra special attention to your bedroom, to reduce indoor allergens.
  • Take cold and flu medication. If you have a cold or flu, consider taking short-term medication to manage inflammation and reduce the risk of developing a sinus infection.
  • Run a humidifier. Run a small humidifier in your room while you sleep to help rehydrate your nasal passages.
  • Drink water. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, more as the temperature gets higher.  

You can use the above tips to minimize congestion at home. If you’re dealing with frequent congestion, there could be an underlying issue like nasal polyps or a deviated septum that requires professional treatment. Schedule an appointment with one of our ENT specialists for an evaluation.