Chronic sinusitis can do terrible things for your quality of sleep. If you have nasal polyps (benign growths in the nose), the impact is even worse. In fact, sufferers of chronic fatigue may be able to be helped by treatment or surgery for their sinus problems.
A 2003 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed there is a possible link between unexplained chronic fatigue and sinusitis, two conditions that hadn't previously been thought to be associated with each other. It also demonstrated that there was a relationship between sinusitis and unexplained body pain.
The study says: "Sinus disease is seldom considered as a cause of unexplained chronic fatigue or pain, despite recent ear, nose, and throat (otolaryngology) studies documenting significant fatigue and pain in patients with sinusitis and dramatic improvement after sinus surgery."
Sleep apnoea is a breathing disorder that may also be helped through sinus surgery.
Many people experience bouts of acute sinusitis, in which the sinus tissues become inflamed for a week or two from a cold or allergies.
Chronic sinusitis refers to sinuses that remain inflamed for an extended period of time, usually three months or longer. Infection from bacteria and even fungi can affect the nasal cavities and sinuses and trigger immune responses such as dizziness, tooth pain, reduced sense of smell, coughing, ear popping, fatigue and yes, disturbed sleep.
If you think you may have chronic sinusitis - or even if you've been diagnosed with it - it could be worth a visit to your GP to request a referral to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. Because the literature is aimed at ENTs, GPs are not always aware of these links.
Meanwhile, our essential oil sleep products can be applied to the skin and don't need to be inhaled to be effective. Sleep Night Oil contains a carrier oil - camellia - and when applied to the soles of the feet, can deliver the same signals to the brain as would normally travel via the olfactory system (the nose).
