Evaluation and Management of Allergic Disorders Related to Sleep Pathology

Sleep is a complex yet dependable process that allows the brain and body to recover from the stresses of daytime functioning and consolidate experiences and learning. Its timing is determined by an approximately 24-hour rhythm which also controls other physiologic processes, including the cortisol peak and nadir. Atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis interface with sleep in a variety of mechanisms: disruptions in sleep, alterations in immunologic components, and via the circadian rhythm hormones. Addressing how allergic disorders impact sleep is crucial to the overall control of symptoms and morbidity from these disease processes. The relationship is bidirectional, and disordered sleep may provide feedback to increase the disease burden of these allergic conditions. Along with following basic guidelines for the management of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, improving sleep timing, quantity, and quality is crucial for better long-term outcomes.