Amplified allergy symptoms may be one of the side effects of sleep deprivation. Read further at Meri Sehat to know more about insomnia treatment.

I can't sleep, is it because of my allergies?

I Can’t Sleep. Is It Because Of My Allergies?

Introduction

If you have allergies, the symptoms can worsen at night due to various reasons, other than exposure to the triggers at home. Furthermore, your body&rsquo;s normal <a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/article/how-an-over-prescription-of-antibiotics-affects-your-immune-system">immune </a>cycles and hormones can change during the evening, triggering the symptoms.

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Understanding Relationship Between Sleep And Allergies

Exposure to allergens makes allergies worse, and in some cases may induce a severe allergic reaction.&nbsp;Common allergens include:

<ul>
	<li>Fabrics</li>
	<li>Dust mites</li>
	<li>Detergents</li>
	<li>Lotions</li>
	<li>Pet dander</li>
	<li>Medications</li>
</ul>

If your allergies worsen in the evening, or when you are in bed, take an appointment with your doctor to try and identify the reasons.

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Your body experiences multiple changes in a day, and the normal patterns of your hormones or immune cycles can affect your response to inflammation. These triggers can drastically worsen the symptoms of allergy.&nbsp;

Adrenaline and cortisol (anti-inflammatory hormones) are the lowest during sleep<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. In addition, the anti-inflammatory proteins, for example, cytokine, interleukin, and histamine worsen the symptoms of allergy when you are lethargic or tired.

People with allergies often have a disrupted sleep pattern, without realizing that their allergies are the causative factor. Altered sleep patterns and breathing is also seen in children suffering from allergies. They also have a bedwetting tendency, which can be attributed to disturbed sleep due to allergies.&nbsp;

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Sleep problems linked with asthma can cause daytime sadness and fatigue. It has been suggested by experts that people who cannot find an explanation for their sleep disturbance, get screened for respiratory problems such as asthma<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

Sleep problems related to asthma include the following:

<ul>
	<li>Inability to fall asleep</li>
	<li>Insomnia</li>
	<li>Disrupted sleep</li>
	<li>Feeling unrefreshed in the morning</li>
</ul>

Unfortunately, the situation worsens in cases of uncontrolled asthma, and sufferers usually have a very poor quality of sleep.&nbsp;Several factors worsen asthma symptoms at night, such as the body&rsquo;s immune changes and exposure to allergens, e.g., fabrics.&nbsp;

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Since the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, and eyes, it can interfere with sleep.&nbsp;Nasal congestion, though, can be treated with intranasal corticosteroid sprays. It can reduce the symptoms and help you sleep well at night.

&nbsp;

Skin itching is associated with atopic dermatitis, which can make sleeping at night worse. The reverse is also true, wherein sleep disturbances can worsen symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and affect the immune system at large.

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Do you wake up with a stuffy nose or sneeze in your sleep? Whether the allergies are seasonal or chronic, they can disrupt your peace.

Around 40% of Americans suffer from allergies<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. The common symptoms are sneezing, an itchy nose, and watery eyes. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, sleep patterns are also disrupted. People with allergies are more prone to insomnia.&nbsp;

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When allergens irritate your nasal passages, they trigger nasal congestion and sneezing, in addition to watery eyes. Your ability to breathe is easily worsened and you experience disturbed sleep. These are the two main reasons associated with poor sleep quality.If you are missing out on sleep because of allergies, you will end up becoming groggy and irritated the next morning. When you are tired, your performance at work or school is consequently impaired, and it also has a negative effect on your overall health. Furthermore, poor sleep can also increase your anxiety and response to stress, which further makes it hard to fall asleep at night.&nbsp;Allergies don’t just affect your ability to sleep. It also hinders staying asleep all night without any disruptions. People with allergies keep waking up in the middle of the night because of their symptoms leading to sleep deprivation. Hence, creating a vicious cycle. Reliance on sedatives to help sleep better increases, which isn’t a very good idea and can lead to addiction.

All aspects of sleep are affected because of allergies. Not only do sufferers experience poor quality of sleep but also daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or sinus pain.

A correlation has also been seen between the severity of the allergies and sleep problems, i.e., the intensity of the allergies worsens sleep patterns.&nbsp;People with allergies are at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.

&nbsp;

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that should be taken seriously. Your breathing repeatedly stops and starts. The symptoms are loud snoring and feeling tired after a full night&rsquo;s sleep.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

&nbsp;

<h5 dir="ltr">1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea&nbsp;</h5>

It is a common form and happens during the relaxation of the throat muscles.

&nbsp;

<h5 dir="ltr">2. Central Sleep Apnea</h5>

It occurs when proper signals are not sent to the brain by the muscle that controls breathing.

&nbsp;

<h5 dir="ltr">3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome</h5>

This occurs when someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea. It is also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

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If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor. Treatment can ease your symptoms and prevent other complications, e.g., heart problems.

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Although sleeping with allergies is tough, it is possible. You can follow the following tips to cope and sleep better:

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Air Purifier</li>
</ul>

An air purifier clears your bedroom of common allergens and helps you sleep better. It is helpful for people without allergies, too.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Doors And Windows</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Make sure the doors and windows of your house are always closed to prevent allergens from entering.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Dust-Free Environment</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Pakistan is a very dusty country, and the house tends to accumulate dust. You should make sure that you clean and dust your house regularly to avoid the accumulation of debris. Avoid carpets because they trap dust very fast, and avoid keeping a lot of storage in your room. Dust traps very easily in old books, shoes, and clothes.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>No Pets</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

If you have allergies, it is best to avoid keeping pets, but if you do have them, restrict them from entering your room. Moreover, make sure you wash your hands after touching them.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Change Your Clothes</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

During pollen season, change your clothes after coming home to avoid the trapped allergens from affecting you. Don&rsquo;t dry your clothes outside either. Try to dry them inside on hangers.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Allergy Medications&nbsp;</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Speak to your doctor about taking allergy medications regularly to prevent allergies. Moreover, some allergy medicines also have sedatives, which help you sleep better and don&rsquo;t cause an addiction either.

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Key Points

<ul>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Allergies worsen at night and can affect your sleep, which results in problems, e.g., fatigue during the day and trouble concentrating doing your daily tasks.</li>
	<li>Symptoms of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma can have a negative effect on the quality of sleep.</li>
	<li>When you have severe allergies, it can prevent you from sleeping well at night and affect your mood. It can also cause severe sleep disturbance, for example, sleep apnea.</li>
	<li>Hence, if you suffer from an allergic condition, or if your allergy is affecting your sleep, it is best if you talk to your physician. Therapy and lifestyle adjustments, along with medical care, can help you rest better.</li>
</ul>

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[1] Hirotsu, C., Tufik, S. and Andersen, M.L., 2015. Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions. Sleep Science, 8(3), pp.143-152

[2] Colten, H.R. and Altevogt, B.M., 2006. Extent and health consequences of chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders. Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation: an unmet public health problem, pp.55-135.

[3] Isolauri, E., Rautava, S. and Kalliomäki, M., 2004. Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: new facts and old fallacies. Gut, 53(10), pp.1391-1393.

[4] Koinis-Mitchell, D., Craig, T., Esteban, C.A. and Klein, R.B., 2012. Sleep and allergic disease: a summary of the literature and future directions for research. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 130(6), pp.1275-1281.

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