Gateway Reporter

• Snoring can lead to issues in a relationship.
• One of the possible reasons for snoring is chronic sinusitis.
• A balloon sinuplasty can provide long-lasting effects, which can help end snoring.

Loud snoring could not only be keeping your partner up at night while you're sound asleep, but it also could be a sign of a chronic sinus problem. The good news is that there is a simple procedure that can quickly alleviate the problem. 

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.

Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said that chronic sinusitis plays a role in snoring, so it's beneficial to see a specialist and look into a balloon sinuplasty procedure.

"Inflammation of our nasal passages certainly can affect our quality of sleep," Khanna told Gateway Reporter. "The nose plays a role in snoring and sleep apnea, so when we're dealing with inflamed sinuses, it can prevent getting into that deeper realm of sleep. If you're tossing and turning, or if you're clearing your throat a lot from this thick, effective drainage that's going down into the back of the nose, there's also a pain component. So definitely it has a negative impact on sleep when you're talking about acute and chronic sinusitis."

Consuming alcoholic beverages or muscle-relaxing sedatives, pregnancy hormones and obesity are other issues that can lead to snoring, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Long-term snoring can lead to other heath issues, including low blood oxygen levels, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. 

If sinus issues are the root of your snoring, a balloon sinuplasty is one way to fix the issue in the long run. Other suggested tips to reduce snoring include sleeping on your side, using nasal strips or keeping your head elevated. If that doesn't work, a balloon sinuplasty procedure may be the way to go. The procedure involves an ENT physician inserting a tiny balloon into your nasal sinuses, then inflating it to open the airways. It takes approximately 20 minutes and is done right in the provider's office. 

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