West Hillsborough News

• Up to 45 percent of American adults snore, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
• One of the possible reasons for snoring is chronic sinusitis.
• A balloon sinuplasty can provide long-lasting effects, which can help end snoring. 

Sinusitis can lead to snoring, but a minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty procedure can help, according to Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

"Sinusitis and sleep are very closely connected," Pate told West Hillsborough News. "Many patients who come in with sinus issues, many of them have bad sleep problems as well, and many times that's what brings them in. The sinusitis is uncovered through the exam. Patients who aren't able to breathe through their nose, either by physical obstruction or because their sinuses are blocked, their quality of sleep is very low. It can lead to increased snoring, which can lead to fragmented sleep patterns, which can lead to fatigue and chronic sleep problems."

In an international consensus statement on allergy and rhinology from Wiley, a multi-institutional case-control study was noted that focused on sleep patterns. This study showed that individuals who suffer from chronic sinusitis have an increased number of awakenings during a nights sleep, as well as spend a greater portion of the night snoring.

Other factors that might cause people to snore include drinking alcohol or taking other muscle-relaxing sedatives, certain hormones caused by pregnancy, or being overweight, according to Cleveland Clinic. Snoring over a long period of time can lead to health problems, including a lower blood oxygen level, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.

At-home remedies include sleeping on your side, sleeping with your head elevated, or using nasal strips. If none of those methods help you stop snoring, a balloon sinuplasty procedure can clear your sinuses for long-lasting relief. The procedure typically lasts approximately 20 minutes, during which an ENT physician will insert a tiny balloon into your nasal sinuses and inflate it, allowing the sinuses to open up and helping you to breathe more easily. The procedure is minimally invasive, pain-free and can be done in a provider's office.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.