Study: Allergy rhinitis symptoms linked to sleep disruption

HORSHAM, Pa. — Patients with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping, according to results of a new survey conducted by Teva Respiratory.

The survey, the "Nasal Allergy Survey Assessing Limitiations 2010," was timed to coincide with National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. The survey found that people with nasal allergy symptoms — which peak during the spring months, particularly April and May, and include repeated sneezing, post-nasal drip, nasal congestion and headache — often experience such sleep disturbances as difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night.

Results of NASL 2010 suggested that the fatigue nasal allergy patients experience may be related to disruption of sleep, which also may lead to their feeling irritable and “miserable.” The survey’s results were recently presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s annual meeting in San Francisco.

“The negative impact that allergic rhinitis symptoms can have on a patient’s quality of sleep is considerable, as it not only affects them physically but also emotionally,” Gary Gross of the Dallas Allergy & Asthma Center said on behalf of Teva. “As allergy season is upon us, it’s important for patients suffering from allergic rhinitis symptoms like post-nasal drip to understand how these symptoms can negatively affect their quality of life.”