Have sinus troubles and sleep apnea?
   Those serious health concerns may have a single solution.
   A new study suggests sinus surgery may help alleviate sleep apnea, according to a Thursday report in WebMD News from HealthDay.
   Clearing the sinuses via surgery brought a better night's sleep for the study group, of which 15 percent also suffered from sleep apnea.
   Dr. Jordan Josephson, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, quoted in the WebMD report, said sinus problems are overlooked when investigating apnea cases.        
   People with sinus issues should be checked for apnea, he said.
   The article quotes Dr. Peter Fotinakes, a neurologist and sleep disorders specialist at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., on the logical connection.
   "When we're asleep, we prefer to breathe through our noses," Fotinakes said. "When we can't, we open our mouth to breathe, and when you open your mouth, it sets your tongue free" to block the airway.
   While there is no guarantee the two problems are always connected, it makes sense to discuss them in tandem with your doctor.