Allergic Rhinitis and Sleeplessness

Filed in archive Allergy: Research and Development , Hay Fever , Living with Allergies on September 20, 2006

The current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine focuses on sleep and its relationship to health. One study in particular explores the effect of allergic rhinitis on the quality of sleep.

A representative sample of 260 French ear, nose, and throat and allergy specialists enrolled 591 patients with AR of at least 1 year's duration. Sleep disorders, sleep quality, and AR were assessed using validated tools (Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Score for Allergic Rhinitis). The severity of AR was assessed using the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma classification.

I guess it doesn't take a scientist to imagine that someone who suffers from seasonal allergies can hardly sleep soundly when they're having their fits. Indeed the researchers have found that allergy sufferers have more insomnia, wake up more during the night, snore more, and feel tired when they wake up.

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

If you'd like furthere reading, you can refer to the scientific manuscript (abstract free, subscription required to access full text).