Allergies and Snoring

Q: Can allergies cause snoring to get worse?

A: Yes, allergies that cause nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose (what doctors call allergic rhinitis) can definitely cause more frequent and louder snoring.

In fact, allergic rhinitis is a common but under recognized contributor to poor sleep quality. Several studies have shown that people with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. This can lead to daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and sometimes impaired mood and memory.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis may be very successful in reducing snoring and can decrease other symptoms related to poor quality sleep. The combination of a nasal steroid spray and an antihistamine is what I prescribe most commonly for allergic rhinitis.

Be careful with decongestants. Some people find that even low doses of decongestants such as oral pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) keep them awake at night. You don't want to snore less because you are not able to fall asleep.