The Relationship between Seasonal Affective Disorder and Sleep Problems

One of the most common questions I get in the office during the winter months has to do with seasonal affective disorder: What is it? Do I have it? And what can I do about it? Seasonal affective disorder is a very real form of depression that may affect six out of every 100 people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Symptoms of SAD generally manifest in late fall, when the days become shorter and colder, and people enjoy less natural sunlight. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness, lack of energy, loss of sexual interest and usual pleasurable activities, irritability and restlessness, cravings for carbohydrates and overeating (which can lead to weight gain and compound negative and depressive feelings), trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping and/or insomnia and at the extreme end—thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms of SAD are usually most intense during the darkest months of the year, so it stands to reason that the farther a person lives from the equator, the higher the incidence of SAD occurs.

These sleep-related symptoms are of particular interest to me, and are usually the catalyst for a person with SAD to come see me for a consultation and treatment. A person with SAD who suffers from sleep problems may go to sleep early and stay in bed for nine or ten hours, but not experience refreshing sleep.  Because of a lack of restful sleep, people with SAD are often drowsy and have trouble concentrating and working during the day.

The relationship between sleep and depression is a bit of a “chicken or the egg” relationship. Which came first? SAD-related depression, or the sleeping problems? It depends. For some, symptoms of SAD occur first—for others, sleep problems appear first. Depression may cause the sleep problems, and sleep problems may cause or worsen the other SAD symptoms.

There is a common link between people with depression and insomnia. Studies have shown that people with insomnia have a ten-fold risk of developing depression compared with people who sleep well. Further, developing depression is highest among those with both sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia.

People with depression may also experience insomnia symptoms, including difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, experiencing restful sleep and daytime sleepiness. People who suffer from depression are also five times more likely to have a breathing-related sleep disorder than non-depressed people, according to a study at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The 2003 study by Stanford researcher Maurice Ohayon, MD, PhD, found that people with depression were found to be five times more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep disordered breathing. This was one of the first studies to make the connection between depression and sleep disorders.  More current research has confirmed the connection.

So, if you believe you are experiencing SAD-related depression and/or sleep disorders, please see a psychiatrist or sleep specialist about it. There are treatments such as morning light therapy that can offer some relief, so you don’t have to suffer unnecessarily through the winter blues. Call me—I’m happy to help.

Could Balloon Sinuplasty Help You Sleep Better?

Chronic sinusitis can be a terribly painful condition. In my practice, I have seen many patients come to me suffering from headaches caused by pressure in their eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead. Patients with a sinus infection cough frequently, have a continuous runny nose, difficulty breathing because of their congestion, and snore which interrupts their sleep patterns.

For many people who suffer from chronic sinusitis, their symptoms can last from three months to years, as opposed to acute sinusitis which lasts for a few days to three months. Over an extended period of time, antibiotics may not work, and in those cases, patients have additional options. Today, there is a relatively new procedure to treat blocked sinus passages called Balloon Sinuplasty™ — a less-intrusive form of surgery that can be performed in a doctor’s office on an out-patient basis.

The FDA cleared this technology and it is clinically proven to be safe and effective. The procedure includes and endoscopic catheter that uses a small, flexible balloon that is inserted into the sinus passageways, and inflated. Then it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageways, which restores the normal ability for the sinuses to drain, while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

Balloon Sinuplasty™ Technology is an endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. It uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

To determine if you have either acute or chronic sinusitis, and if that is the cause of your snoring, you should visit a doctor of otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat doctor) who will run a series of simple to complex tests.

Sinusitis is often caused by allergies or a physical abnormality such as a deviated septum, or malformed bone. A nose and throat exam will most likely be a starting point that will reveal potential blockages. This exam will help your doctor identify the possible abnormalities that may cause snoring. If your doctor needs a detailed image of your sinuses, he may perform a CT scan (Computerized Tomography Scan). This test provides a detailed cross-sectional image of the sinuses and can be used to help identify the severity of infection inside the sinus cavities. To determine if the cause of your sinusitis is from allergens, your doctor may refer you to an allergist for a detailed evaluation.

If you suffer from facial pain and pressure, recurring sinus infections and sinus headaches, Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology may be the answer to your chronic sinusitis. Contact your doctor today and schedule an examination, or if you’re in the New York City area, feel free to contact the Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center for expert diagnosis.

Dr. Volpi is the founder of the Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, and has had a private ear, nose and throat practice in New York City for more than 20 years. He and his medical staff at Otolaryngology Associates are board-certified surgeons and members of New York’s finest teaching hospitals.
 
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may have a snoring disorder, contact your physician. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.