Yes, allergies can significantly disrupt sleep. Many allergy sufferers experience poor sleep quality.
How Allergies Affect Sleep
Allergies, particularly allergic rhinitis (hay fever), commonly cause various symptoms that directly interfere with sleep:
- Nasal Congestion: Stuffy noses make it difficult to breathe comfortably, leading to disrupted sleep and frequent awakenings. This is a major contributor to sleep apnea in allergy sufferers. [Source: Allergy-related outcomes and sleep-related disorders in adults: a ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8941730/]
- Runny Nose and Sneezing: These symptoms can cause frequent nighttime awakenings, preventing restful sleep. [Source: Don't Let Allergies Ruin Your Sleep | Rheumatology and Allergy ... https://allergyinstitute.org/dont-let-allergies-ruin-your-sleep/]
- Itchy Eyes and Nose: The constant irritation keeps individuals awake and prevents them from falling into a deep, restorative sleep.
- Mouth Breathing: Nasal congestion often forces individuals to breathe through their mouths, leading to dry mouth and throat, further disrupting sleep. [Source: Mouth Breathing: What It Is, Complications & Treatments https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22734-mouth-breathing]
Individuals with allergies are over twice as likely to suffer from insomnia. [Source: Up to 40 percent of Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis (allergies), with symptoms including sneezing, itchy or runny nose, and watery eyes — and for many allergy sufferers, poor sleep as well. Individuals with allergies are more than twice as likely to have insomnia than those without allergies.21-Dec-2023] Allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold significantly impact sleep quality. [Source: The Top Allergens That Impact Sleep https://www.sleepfoundation.org/allergies-and-sleep/allergens-that-impact-sleep]
The inflammatory response associated with allergic rhinitis itself can also contribute to sleep disturbances. [Source: Seasonal Allergies Often Accompanied by Mental Health and Sleep ... https://www.pulmonologyadvisor.com/features/seasonal-allergies-and-mental-health-sleep-disorders/] This inflammatory process can lead to increased airway resistance, exacerbating sleep apnea. [Source: The linkage of allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25543037/]
Conclusion
Allergies frequently cause sleep problems due to various physical symptoms and inflammatory responses.
