Having trouble getting enough zzzzzzs? Hay fever may be the culprit.

A recent study shows people with allergic rhinitis from hay fever and other types of allergies have more difficulty sleeping and are more than twice as likely to suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia.

What’s allergic rhinitis? You know it if you have it. "Itis" means inflammation or swelling. "Rhino" means nose, and "allergic" means hyper-reactivity. So, allergic rhinitis means inflammation and swelling in the nose and sinus due to allergy.

Chronic nasal congestion can cause difficulty in breathing, especially at night. If you have serious allergic rhinitis, you may waken a dozen times a night. Falling back asleep can be difficult, cutting your total number of sleep hours short.

Prolonged loss of sleep can cause difficulty in concentration, inability to remember things, and can contribute to automotive accidents. Night after night of interrupted sleep can cause serious decreases in learning ability and performance in school or on the job.

If you are having trouble sleeping be sure to tell your allergist. It can be an important clue in determining your allergy treatment.

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