Health
Sinus Surgery May Also Ease Sleep Apnea
THURSDAY (HealthDay News) — Struggling to breathe with sinus troubles can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. But a new study suggests that surgery to deal with chronically stuffed sinuses can help people breathe and sleep better, including people with sleep apnea.
The study found that 15 percent of people with chronically stuffed sinuses also had the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea. After surgery to clear the sinuses, people reported better quality of life and improved sleep, regardless of whether or not they had a sleep disorder.
“Poor sleep, feeling tired, and fatigue are all frequent complaints of patients with chronic sinus disease,” said study author Dr. Jeremiah Alt, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
According to Dr. Jordan Josephson, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, “Sinus and nasal problems often are part of the problem leading to snoring and sleep apnea, and are often overlooked and left untreated.” Josephson was not involved in the current study, but reviewed its findings.
