How Allergies Can Worsen Sleep Apnea: What New Orleans Patients Should Know

Summer in New Orleans brings warm weather, blooming flowers, and more time outdoors. But for many, it also marks the start of allergy season. Pollen, mold, and other airborne allergens become more active, triggering frustrating symptoms like nasal congestion, excess mucus, and sinus pressure.

At ENT & Allergy of New Orleans, we regularly hear from patients struggling with allergies and poor sleep. What many don’t realize is that untreated allergies can potentially worsen sleep apnea or even mimic its symptoms, making it harder to get the right diagnosis and care.

In this post, we’ll explore how allergies may affect sleep apnea, why New Orleans residents could be at greater risk, and what treatment options are available.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances—known as allergens. In New Orleans, common triggers include pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites.

When exposed to allergens, your immune system releases histamine, which causes inflammation and leads to symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Spring tends to be an intense allergy season due to high humidity and dense plant growth.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type and occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway. Common signs include loud snoring, waking up gasping, morning headaches, and excessive daytime fatigue.

How Allergies Affect Sleep Apnea

While allergies don’t directly cause sleep apnea, they can significantly worsen symptoms. Nasal congestion makes it harder to breathe through the nose, leading to mouth breathing, which can increase snoring and dryness. For those using CPAP machines, congestion can reduce comfort and compliance with therapy.

Allergy flare-ups often worsen at night due to lying down, further compounding airway obstruction. In some cases, chronic allergy-related swelling may even contribute to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, narrowing the airway further.

If you suspect allergies are impacting your sleep, contact our specialists to discuss evaluation options.

Treatment Options

At ENT & Allergy of New Orleans, we offer integrated treatment plans for patients dealing with both allergy symptoms and sleep disruption. These may include:

• Personalized CPAP optimization
  
  
• Allergy medications such as antihistamines or nasal sprays
  
  
• Immunotherapy to reduce long-term sensitivity
  
  
• Environmental and lifestyle guidance
  
  
• Minimally invasive procedures like balloon sinuplasty when structural sinus issues are present
  
  

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Find Relief in New Orleans

If you’re tired of waking up congested and foggy, and suspect your allergies may be interfering with your sleep, help is available. At ENT & Allergy of New Orleans, we work with patients throughout the Greater New Orleans area to manage sinus and sleep conditions with a holistic, personalized approach.

Get in touch with us!

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