You have heard of seasonal allergies, but what about allergies that only flare up at night? Unfortunately, many people experience nightly nasal congestion that can cause them to sniffle, sneeze, snore and lose sleep.
As obvious as it might seem, the most common cause for allergy like symptoms that appear at night is an allergic reaction to your bedding. A simple way to see if your bedding is the culprit of your nighttime woes, spend a night in a hotel. If your symptoms go away when sleeping outside of your home, you are probably allergic to your pillows or blankets.
Other factors that can be to blame are environmental in nature. Is there a smoker in the home? Do pets sleep in the bed with you? Is there mold somewhere in the room?
If chronic snoring or gasping for breath while sleeping accompanies the nighttime congestion, you may have sleep apnea or an abnormality of the nose that can be corrected under a professional’s care. Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition can easily be diagnosed with a sleep study.
Allergy testing at Atlanta ENT can help you pinpoint your allergies and develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. Sleep studies can be done from the comfort of your home, and are used to determine if sleep apnea or other sleep related issues are causing your discomfort. Call Atlanta ENT today for a consultation, and take your first step towards a restful night’s sleep.
Ramie A. Tritt, MD, President, Atlanta ENT
