Sleep and Quality of Life in Allergic Rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory illness that affects over 10% of the world's population. Among patients with AR, difficulties with falling asleep and maintaining sleep often result in decreased daytime energy, easy fatigability, decreased cognitive and psychomotor function, and reduced quality of life. Two models have been proposed to explain sleep-related symptoms associated with AR. One model focuses on the role of nasal congestion and ventilation during sleep, resulting in obstructive arousals and awakening. An alternate model involves the direct role of systemic inflammatory mediators on the regulation of sleep and nocturnal events, resulting in daytime symptoms and decreased quality of life. The present chapter explores the interaction of nasal obstruction and systemic inflammatory mediators using these two models to evaluate their role on sleep quality and resultant symptomatic and functional effects. It also examines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies that are commonly used to treat AR, and how these agents can have both beneficial and adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]