snoring

You may be among the 45% of normal adults who snore at least occasionally or you likely know someone who does especially if you have allergic rhinitis.

WHAT IS ALLERGIC RHINITIS?

Allergic rhinitis occurs when allergens in the air are breathed by someone that is allergic to them, irritating and inflaming the nasal passages.

Allergic rhinitis (allergies) may occur year-round or seasonally. When it occurs seasonally it is usually caused by airborne particles from trees, grass, ragweed, or outdoor mold. Causes of year-round allergic rhinitis include indoor substances such as pet dander, indoor mold, and dust mites in bedding, mattresses, and carpeting.

For those allergic to dust mites, pollen, molds and pet dander it can trigger the release of a chemical in the body that causes nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. These symptoms can lead to poor sleep, which can greatly affect your life causing depression and fatigue.

It can also get very, very serious. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep, is linked with allergic rhinitis. OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat relax and fail to hold the airway open during sleep. Nasal congestion, which causes the upper airway to narrow, increases the risk of both snoring and OSA among allergic rhinitis patients.

So, how to make your bedroom a nearly allergy-free zone and get a good nights rest ?

Here are some of our tips

General

• Clean regularly with natural products, as traditional cleaning supply fumes can set off an allergic reaction.
• Wipe down your bedframe with a damp cloth weekly.
• Cut the clutter — less stuff gives allergens fewer places to hide.
• Don’t store things under the bed. It’s difficult to clean and dust (and dust mites!) love to hide under there.
• Limit difficult-to-clean soft surfaces like carpets, upholstered items, and heavy draperies.
• Houseplants are good air filters if you don’t have mold allergies.
• Avoid Dust mites (actually, their excrement) are responsible for the majority of year-round allergy problems in the bedroom. They live in soft surfaces, and dust, and come out to eat the skin cells and oils we all shed throughout the day
• Pillows and comforters should either be made of allergen friendly synthetics, or encased in protective covers. Down is an attractive home for dust mites, so be particularly careful to cover or remove all down bedding in your bedroom.
• Hard floors are best for allergy sufferers, but if you have carpets, vacuum them regularly using a HEPA filtered vacuum. Traditional vacuum filters can spread allergens through the air and cause an allergic reaction.
• Pollen loves to stick to hair and clothes when you go outside and has a tendency to follow you when you head back inside. Do not wear/bring dirty clothes or outerwear into your bedroom to avoid pollen transfer and bathe before going to bed at night.
• Leave the windows closed. A fresh breeze is nice, but it can carry allergens in with it.
• Houseplants should be kept outside of the bedroom. Mold can develop in the soil and on the plant itself, and might not be visible to you until after you’ve started having allergy problems.
• We love our pets too. We recommend they sleep outside the bedroom – as they too are allergy carriers. If they do sleep with you – we recommend bathing them 2x per week.

Need additional guidance? Call Dr. Mariotti to discuss and treat your allergic rhinitis. T: 570-714-3434