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Sinus problem at night disturbing my sleep

(37 Posts)
Overthemoongran Wed 19-Nov-25 19:08:41

I was interested to read on a recent post (about sleeping with your mouth taped up), that it seems quite a few of us have a problem with sinuses at night time. I am currently seeing an ENT consultant but she can’t find anything wrong, so why then do my sinuses appear to block as soon as I try to sleep? I have tried…(all to no avail)……anti histamines, various nasal rinses & sprays, sleeping next to a humidifier, cranial osteopathy, new bedroom curtains/ carpets/ mattress and bedding, basically you name it I’ve tried it. I wake in the early hours totally blocked, with a throbbing head and pressure building up, my nostrils are clear, it’s all behind my nose, under my eyes, but the consultant can’t find a problem. Anyone else like this? Has anyone found a solution?

Redactrice Sat 22-Nov-25 16:42:36

Hope I’m not tempting providence by saying that my overnight sinus problems seem to have cleared up a bit, finally. If it’s something I’m doing, that must be the ‘clean’ NAC supplements I’ve been taking for 8 months alongside my clean lungwort ones (and loads of others). And a useful little hack I’ve come across lately — make a point of keeping your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth (palate) as often as possible, which opens up the airways. Having said all that, I do still wake up with an extremely dry mouth sometimes, and I do get associated ear/nose problems (a muffled sensation only alleviated by swallowing, yawning, etc), which is no doubt a Eustachian tubes malfunction.

HiMay Sat 22-Nov-25 18:04:22

Have you tried sleeping with the window open? Works for me

FranP Sat 22-Nov-25 18:07:38

The more you routinely take anti-histamines, the more your body fights to create mucus - they are really not a long term solution.
I used to suffer from severe sinusitis. It was treated regularly with anti-biotics by my dentist, who then changed a few fillings which helped.

I was referred to the hospital who provided me with braces to alter my bite, then guards to keep them. When I refused surgery to lengthen my jawbone, I was given sleep guards with additional parts to push my lower jaw forward. I no longer get sinusitis; my hearing and my sleep have improved.

Patsytaylor Sat 22-Nov-25 19:38:58

Have you been tested for nasal polyps?

Warmglovesandsocks Sat 22-Nov-25 21:07:33

I am like Cossy and Icanhandthemback I sleep with my mouth open, so dry mouth, and also have been under ENT Consultant who got rid of my polyps. What helps me 100% is Olbas Oil on tissues placed on the pillow. So simple but SO effective. Hope this helps.

Doggie6 Sat 22-Nov-25 23:05:02

I use Olbas oil also sprinkled on my pillow which helps me

WithNobsOnIt Sun 23-Nov-25 03:14:32

I have suffered with nasal.problems for years and was fobbed off by various dim GPs. As probably having allergies, minor sinus problems and was also suffering from rhinitis.

Nasal and other problems included a permanent dripping nose, post nasal drip, congestion, sneezing, sensitivity to smells.
Shortness of breath because l couldn't breathe properly.

Nasal sprays and anti histamines did not help.

After 25 years l saw an ENT Consultant whoinformed me l had nasal polyps in bother nostrils

My left nostril was almost completely blocked due to really severely deviated septum. And needed to.be operated on and reset.

Now awaiting a date for an operation.

Do ask for a second opinion.
Or pay to see an ENT Consultant.if you can.

Don't be fobbed off.

Good Luck
👃🕵️🫰
x

WithNobsOnIt Sun 23-Nov-25 03:16:47

Also forget to say l.had a blood test for allergies and a sinus scan which bothe came back negative.

Ninny123 Sun 23-Nov-25 09:50:16

Have you been tested for dustmite allergy ? Also is any of your bedding feathers? You say it only occurs when in bed . Therefore I feel you may need to change your pillows and duvet and buy dust mite prevention covers for said pillows & duvet. Open your windows in the morning and throw back the duvet to help the bed dry. Dust mites thrive in warm dark damp places. Feathers exasperate the problem . Good luck

GoldenAge Sun 23-Nov-25 10:46:31

Like applegran I use Sterimar which is 100% natural sea water, free from preservatives and drugs. But a question I would put to everyone who suffers in this way is when did this start? My friend (who lives 300 miles away) and I caught covid in December 2020 and we both ended up with this nasal problem. Since then, we've both seen specialist ENT consultants in hospitals very far from each other, and both been told we have been left (after covid) with a condition called Globus. There's no 'cure' but the advice has been to use Sterimar. Do not under any circumstances tape up your mouth because when you've used the spray you should capitalise upon the clear airways while they last, and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth regularly. This regulates the oxygen in the blood and even if it doesn't help with the Globus (which I find it does), it will bring some calm and the ability to cope with it. It's a nuisance for sure.
Since we got to the bottom of this, my friend and I have been talking with others in our respective neighbourhoods and it seems this has been quite common after covid. Steroids and anti-histamines might bring immediate relief but they are hormone disruptors and as this is a long-term condition it's not wise to rely on them.

Witzend Sun 23-Nov-25 10:58:13

Ninny123

Have you been tested for dustmite allergy ? Also is any of your bedding feathers? You say it only occurs when in bed . Therefore I feel you may need to change your pillows and duvet and buy dust mite prevention covers for said pillows & duvet. Open your windows in the morning and throw back the duvet to help the bed dry. Dust mites thrive in warm dark damp places. Feathers exasperate the problem . Good luck

After reading in graphic detail (🤢) about dust mites in Bill Bryson’s book ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ while on holiday, almost the first thing I did once home was hoover our mattress! I was astonished at the amount of yellowish dust (presumably dust mite poo) that came out!

Next, our (feather or down) pillows went in the machine for a really good wash and tumble dry, and I’ve been doing all this regularly ever since.