Nasal congestion, itchy throat, watery eyes, breathing problems, or asthma attacks. Allergies can harm the quality of life, especially at night. Fortunately, there are solutions to regain quality sleep and have a peaceful night. We take stock.
Do you often have respiratory allergies, but at night, they tend to get worse? Find out why they intensify at night and how to improve your sleep despite the symptoms.
Allergy is an inappropriate immune reaction against foreign substances called allergens. As Inserm describes it is a “disruption of the immune system which corresponds to a loss of tolerance towards seemingly harmless substances: allergens”. Allergies can have cutaneous (urticaria, dermatitis), respiratory (rhinitis, asthma) or generalized (anaphylaxis) manifestations.
Respiratory allergy is often linked to inhaling certain allergens in our air. In spring and summer, the famous pollens are responsible for allergic rhinitis. In winter, when we spend more time indoors, pollution in our homes, caused by lack of ventilation, tobacco, dust mites, animal hair, mould, cleaning products and cosmetics, plants or even combustion gases, can irritate the respiratory tract and cause allergies.
Have you ever noticed that during the night, your allergy symptoms worsen or even trigger respiratory problems or asthma attacks? It’s normal. Respiratory disorders (asthma, allergies, etc.) and sleep disorders are conditions that often coexist.
“Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, are often linked to nocturnal respiratory disturbances, sometimes associated with asthma attacks or a blocked nose due to allergic rhinitis,” explains Dr Madiha Ellaffi, pneumoallergist in an article published on the website of the Asthma & Allergies association.
Other mechanisms reinforce this relationship between allergy and sleep. ” Circadian rhythms (which punctuate the waking and sleeping phases) influence allergies and sleep. For example, a lack of sleep can accentuate an inflammatory reaction directly impacting the regulation of immune reactions.”
“Finally, other parameters can also come into play, such as bedding,.” “Dust mites love humidity and heat and appreciate bedding as much as they find food there. When an allergic patient falls asleep in a bed with dust mites, the allergic reaction will increase symptoms, including nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing at night.
The symptoms are diverse: nasal obstruction, often clear nasal discharge, allergic conjunctivitis with watery eyes and sensation of a “grain of sand” in the eye, itching in the throat and nose, sneezing but also sometimes one of the respiratory symptoms when allergens reach your lungs:
Regardless of the severity of the symptoms, it is often impossible to get any shut-eye and get proper rest at night. Fortunately, there are solutions to increase your chances of sleeping well.
Remember to clean your room frequently by vacuuming every little corner and washing sheets and curtains to prevent allergens from accumulating.
Also Read: What Is Eczema
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