Forum · Sleep apnea and the military

I was in the Navy from 1964 to 1968 and there was no such thing as sleep apnea nothing but a bunch of sailors snoring, so when I filed for compensation they denied me because I could not show that it was not service connected but a secondary condition to my sinusitis. Can someone clarify if sleep apnea can be secondary to sinusitis ? Thank you

Hi Therapist1. Sinusitis can contribute to sleep apnea symptoms. People with sinus issues often have nasal blockage or obstruction from fluid in the sinus cavity, swelling or irritation of sinus tissue, etc. Patients with sinus problems or allergies often report snoring, or worsened snoring, when they have significant flare-ups. Most often, in the case of obstructive sleep apnea, the problem is caused by some kind of blockage of the airway by tissue (tonsils, adenoids) or by a small airway that collapses when the muscles relax. Hope this helps!