Seasonal Allergies: Why I Can’t Sleep?
Are you the one who is prone to seasonal allergies and not getting enough sleep? Those itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and sneezing can leave us sleep deprived, resulting in a groggy morning and a bad day. More than one-third of Americans believe that the symptoms of seasonal allergies are the reason for their sleeplessness. A team from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found out that 59% have nasal congestion which doesn’t allow them to sleep. 48% of the Americans also confess that their sneezing and sniffling disturbs their bed partner’s sleep too.
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How Can Allergies Cause Sleeplessness?
There is a very strong relationship between allergies and sleeplessness. Dr. Mark Holbreich (Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) explains that allergies cause swelling in the nasal passages, making it difficult to breathe. This hinders our sleep. Some allergies also cause itchy eyes and a burning sensation which doesn’t allow us to fall asleep.
Allergic rhinitis is an adverse immune system reaction in the sinus and nasal passage due to the presence of allergens in the air. These allergens include dust mites, pollen, mold, or pet dander. Swelling of sinus and nasal tissues, itching and increased production of mucus are some of the common symptoms.
Half of the seasonal allergy sufferers report problems getting uninterrupted sleep. This crowd is more vulnerable to sleep disorders like insomnia, chronic sleep deprivation, and daytime fatigue. Allergy sufferers are more likely to experience insomnia than the normal people (i.e., more than twice). Nasal congestion caused by these allergies can also lead to snoring and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breath is interrupted while he/she sleeps. This means that there is no sufficient supply of oxygen to the brain and other body parts. This disorder can affect anyone regardless of the age.
Some Common Allergies Which Inhibit Our Sleep
Pollen:
This is one of the most common triggers in seasonal allergies. Pollen allergy is often termed as hay fever. Mostly, pollens come from weeds, grass, and trees. The small light pollens travel by the wind. Some have pollen allergies all around the year but for some it’s seasonal.
Dust Mites:
If you are allergic of dust mites, it’s a bad news as these creatures are everywhere. The humid and warm environment helps them breed and survive. They live in soft furnishings, mattress, pillows, and carpets.
About 20 million Americans have fallen prey for these little monsters. The allergy is due to the protein which is found in the droppings of a dust mite. Each mite produces on average of 20 droppings a day which will sum up and turn into big trouble. They feed on the fungus which is produced from the dry skin, shed by humans during sleep. Dust Mites prefer dark living places with a high humidity level of 60% to reproduce. So, mattresses make an ideal feeding ground and shelter for them.
Mold Formation:
Mold can grow anywhere where moisture breeds. It is a type of fungi which can grow both inside and outside the house. Sometimes it’s visible to the eyes else we can smell its presence. Most common molds which we notice are Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Spores.
Pet Dander:
Who doesn’t love their pets?. But these pets also shed dander (combination of dead cells and hair) which can worsen your asthma and allergy. We can have better sleep only when our nasal passages are clear and breathe comfortably.
All such respiratory allergies can make it a challenge to get a sound sleep at night.
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What Can We Do To Alleviate These Symptoms?
Below are few tactics with the help of which we can rule out and make a big difference.
Get Treated And Keep a Check On Medication:
Avoiding the problem is never a solution but addressing it will definitely give the positive result. Start by consulting an allergist and find out exactly what you are allergic to. Seek the options available to curb allergy which includes having allergy shots or taking an antihistamine before bed. This will give you some relief while you sleep.
Raise Your Head:
Gravity plays a great roll in your life. Congestions worsen when you lay down, as there is no gravity and mucus just rests there. Prop your head up on a pillow, which will help the air flow uninterrupted in the nasal passages. It will definitely help you get a better sleep.
Change Your Mattress To Keep The Dust Mites Away:
The mattress has the ecosystem which helps in living and reproduction of dust mites. One way to tackle dust mites is to keep the mattress and pillows in allergen-blocking or dust-proof covers. Wash your beddings in hot water (130-degree Fahrenheit) regularly to kill the mites and remove the dead skin. Washing your sheets often and changing your mattress is the swift action you must take, to keep yourself protected.
Memory foam mattress has been a good option to absorb moisture and keep the dust mites at bay. At the same time, the memory foam is a bad option for hot sleepers. Sleeping hot can result in night sweats, generating more moisture which will attract dust mites.
Nuvanna mattress has a good moisture wicking and breathable cover made of a unique material called “TENCEL”. Along with this, the mattress has a gel particles dispersed in the top layer which will help you reduce night sweats. The mattress also gives motion control and support your body needs to have a good night sleep.
Eliminate Pollen:
Pollen is the main respiratory allergy culprit. Don’t leave your bedroom doors open and invite them inside. Taking a shower, rinsing nose and eyes with saline are some of the good practices to avoid the adverse effects.
Air purifiers will do the best to clear away the dust mite residues and pollen. Keep a watch on pollen count to stay safe and avoid too much exposure.
Stay Away From Mold And Pet Dander:
Get all the water leakages fixed. Keep an eye on damp surfaces mostly near windows and doors to suppress the growth of mold. A dehumidifier can be of great help. The dehumidifier helps to keep a check on the moisture and controls the humidity in the house. Also, keep your furry pals groomed and clean to avoid pet dander.
Staying clean and keeping the air around us hygienic can reduce the allergies to some extent. Choose the right mattress to avoid dust mites. People often neglect their allergic symptoms in the beginning stages and suffer later. Always consult your allergist and take their advice to get out of it soon.