PHX Reporter

• People suffering with chronic sinusitis often experience low-quality sleep.

• Having chronic sinusitis increases  a person's risk of developing sleep apnea.

• Sleep apnea, in turn, increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and heart disease.

Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says people who suffer from chronic sinusitis often experience poor sleep quality and can be more likely to develop sleep apnea, but there are effective solutions.

"Breathing is paramount to life itself; breathing is life," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "If you're not doing that well or, specifically, not doing that well at night and you're not getting the proper rest, all aspects of your health will be affected if your sinuses are acting up. You won't be resting like you should. Your immune system is going to be taxed. It has a ripple effect on all of your health. You might start snoring. You might end up with sleep apnea."

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 60 to 75% of chronic sinusitis patients also suffer from poor sleep. By contrast, only 8 to 18% of people who do not have chronic sinusitis experience have sleep problems. Sleeping poorly is connected to a lower quality of life and other issues, such as a higher risk of depression.

"Sleep deprivation is very common with chronic sinus patients," Stewart said. "That can affect your health in many ways, such as hypertension, early heart disease, stroke, all of that. Your nose and your sinuses are a crucial aspect to your overall well-being. Breathing well and sleeping well is just part of that puzzle."

Silent Night Therapy reported that sinusitis can lead to coughing, as well as sleep apnea. People who have sleep apnea often wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, experience headaches and have fatigue in the morning.  

According to the American Heart Association, sleep apnea is more likely to affect men and people who are overweight, and sleep apnea sufferers face an increased risk of heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S.

Several surgical treatment options are available, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty, according to WebMD. Endoscopy is a procedure in which doctors insert thin, flexible instruments called an endoscope, which sends images of the sinus cavity back to a computer screen, allowing doctors to see where the sinuses are blocked. This allows for the removal of polyps, scar tissue and other blockages. Because no incisions are made in the skin and only local anesthetic is used, patients are able to recover quickly.

Stewart also recommends balloon sinuplasty, in which a thin tube is placed into the nose with a small balloon attached. The doctor then guides the balloon to the blocked area of the sinuses and inflates it, which clears the sinuses, allowing the patient to breathe more effectively.

If you're interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment of chronic sinusitis, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.