Nasal congestion
and sleep problems
Sleep difficulties
affect your body
HIGHER RISK OF STROKE
About 65% of stroke victims have sleep apnea.
HIGHER RISK OF HEART DISEASE
Sleep apnea increases your heart rate and your blood pressure, leading to hypertension.
WEIGHT GAIN
Sleep apnea prevents you from getting a full night's sleep,
which is shown to increase snacking, leading to weight gain.
HIGHER RISK OF SEXUAL PROBLEMS
Sleep apnea and snoring can lead to partners sleeping in separate rooms. Additionally, sleep apnea can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
IMPAIRED DRIVING
Driving drowsy is dangerous enough on its own, and sleep deprivation can reduce your reaction time by up to 30%.
Sleep Apnea May Cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
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The most prevalent form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It can be a very serious disorder. People with OSA repeatedly stop breathing while they are asleep. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently snore.
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Your levels of oxygen and testosterone can be impacted by sleep disorders. That may result in a variety of problems, including ED. Researchers have discovered that men with obstructive sleep apnea have a high prevalence of ED, though it is unclear why this is the case.
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The exact reason men with obstructive sleep apnea have higher rates of ED is still a mystery to scientists. A man's testosterone levels may drop as a result of sleep apnea's effects on sleep quality. It might also limit oxygen. Healthy erections require both testosterone and oxygen. Researchers have also hypothesized that stress and exhaustion brought on by sleep deprivation may exacerbate sexual issues.
According to research, endocrine system dysfunction and sleep disorders are related. The function of sleep may be impacted and wakefulness may result from hormonal overactivity between the brain and the adrenal gland. Low testosterone levels have also been linked to restless sleep, according to a 2014 study. Obstructive sleep apnea doesn't appear to affect testosterone production, though.
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Sleep Disorders and Risk of Traffic Crashes
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Independent of self-reported excessive sleepiness, sleep deficiency caused by either sleep apnea or inadequate sleep duration is strongly linked to car accidents in the general population.
In addition to discomfort, sinus problems and symptoms can make it difficult to fall asleep or even cause severe insomnia. Nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates, and a deviated septum are just a few of the sinus conditions that can result in nasal congestion, which is typically characterised by a stuffy or runny nose due to excessive mucus production. The muscles in the throat naturally relax during sleep, causing mucus to collect in the nasal cavities. Congestion can then lead to coughing, breathing difficulties, snoring, or something even more serious: sleep apnea.
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The lives of patients are significantly and negatively impacted by nasal congestion. The likelihood of experiencing sleep issues, exhaustion, breathlessness, headaches, and daytime somnolence is increased by congestion.
Sinusitis is the term used when the swelling and irritation in the sinus airways develop into a bothersome infection. Swelling in the nasal airways aggravates sinusitis and frequently results in pain or pressure around the nose, eyes, cheeks, or forehead. Having these sinus problems and swelling symptoms can make it very difficult to get a good night's sleep.
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The following may also be experienced because of a sinus infection in addition to having trouble sleeping:
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Coughing
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Sore throat
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Insomnia
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Snoring
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Sleep apnea
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Headache
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Nasal or facial pressure
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One of the most serious outcomes is that nasal congestion can double the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by completely blocking the airways. Airways that block completely or partially during sleep are the cause of OSA, which results in frequent breathing pauses. People with OSA frequently wake up gasping for air, and they're not always aware that they're waking up all the time. A partner will typically notice choking while the patient is sleeping and breathing pauses.
One of the risk factors for OSA is chronic nasal congestion, which doubles the likelihood of developing the sleep disorder. People who are overweight, have high blood pressure, smoke, or have diabetes are most at risk for OSA. Men are also more likely than women to experience OSA symptoms. This does not imply, however, that women are not affected by the disorder.
Constant fatigue brought on by frequent interruptions to sleep is one of the primary signs of OSA. Other signs include loud snoring, issues with motivation and concentration, headaches in the morning, waking up with a dry or sore throat, anxiety, and depression.
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It can be too simple to attribute ailments like fatigue to the strains and stresses of contemporary life. Untreated OSA can result in serious health issues, such as:
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Heart disease
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Type 2 diabetes
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High blood pressure
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Liver damage
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Pregnancy complications
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Increased risk of injury from accidents due to fatigue (10–20% of driving crashes are due to driving fatigue.)