When spring blooms, so do the sniffles—and if you are waking up groggy, congested and exhausted, you might assume it is just allergies wreaking havoc on your sleep. But what if there is something more going on?

Seasonal allergies and sleep apnea share a complicated relationship. While allergies can make sleep uncomfortable on their own, they can also aggravate existing sleep apnea symptoms—or even mask signs of an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Understanding how the two conditions interact is key to getting the quality rest your body needs.

What Is the Connection Between Allergies and Sleep Apnea?

Seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever) trigger inflammation and swelling in your nasal passages. When your nose is stuffy, your body naturally shifts to mouth breathing, which can lead to a dry mouth, sore throat and ultimately, disrupted sleep.

But for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep—congestion can make things worse. Inflammation from allergies can narrow the upper airway even further, increasing the number of apneic events (pauses in breathing). This often leads to more frequent awakenings throughout the night and worsened oxygen deprivation.

In short, allergy season can add fuel to the fire if you already struggle with sleep apnea—and if you have never been diagnosed, you might not realize what is really responsible for stealing your sleep.

Waking Up Tired During Allergy Season? It Might Not Just Be Allergies

Chronic fatigue is a hallmark of both allergies and sleep apnea, which is why it is so easy to misread the signs. If you are blaming spring pollen for your morning brain fog, consider whether your symptoms point to something even deeper:

• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Nighttime awakenings
• Daytime sleepiness, even after seven to eight hours of sleep

If these sound all too familiar, it is worth talking to a sleep specialist. Many patients with sleep apnea go undiagnosed because they attribute their tiredness to stress, aging or worsening seasonal conditions like allergies.

How to Manage Both Conditions for Better Sleep

Whether you are already using a CPAP machine or suspect you might have sleep apnea, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact of allergy season:

• Use HEPA filters and air purifiers in your bedroom to reduce pollen and dust.
• Keep windows closed, especially at night, to avoid allergen exposure.
• Rinse nasal passages with saline spray or a Neti pot before bed.
• Talk to your doctor about allergy medications that will not interfere with your sleep.
• Make sure your CPAP mask fits well, even if your face feels swollen or irritated.
• Stay consistent with CPAP use—even when it feels harder during allergy season.

If you do not have a diagnosis yet but notice that your sleep quality plummets every spring (and never seems to fully recover), please consider looking deeper. A sleep study can reveal whether apnea is part of the problem—and getting the proper treatment can be life-changing.

Breathe Easy This Allergy Season

It is easy to write off poor sleep as a side effect of pollen, but if you are dragging through the day despite getting a full night’s rest, it might be time to take a closer look. At our sleep apnea practice, we help patients connect the dots between symptoms and get back to feeling their best—no matter the season.

We invite you to schedule a consultation and let us help you make restful sleep your new normal. Feel free to give us a call today!