How To Stop Your Asthma Waking You Long
You may have been getting used to your usual night-time asthma symptoms but you dont have to. Here are some simple tips you can follow:
- Using your inhaler every day and as prescribed by your doctor. This can help to build up protection in your airways and to keep your symptoms under control reducing your chances of waking up at night.
- As mentioned before, if you notice your asthma symptoms get worse at night or when you wake up, consider getting an appointment to see your GP or Nurse to discuss it.
Ensuring You Get The Assistance You Need
Make sure that your family, friends, and those close to you know what to do if you have an attack. Keep a copy of your medications and emergency contacts, including your doctor, on your phone so that you can show it to others who may come to your aid during an attack.
If your asthma is very severe, you may consider getting a medical ID bracelet that can alert first responders to your condition. Additionally, there are even phone apps available that can help you and your doctor monitor your symptoms.
Some risk factors for death from asthma include:
- uncontrolled asthma or noncompliance with an asthma treatment plan
- previous severe asthma attacks or hospitalizations due to asthma
- poor lung function, as measured by peak expiratory flow or forced expiratory volume
- having been put on a ventilator for asthma previously
Some groups have an increased risk of death due to asthma:
- According to the World Health Organization (
Besides the potential to be fatal, there are several other complications that can occur due to asthma. These can include:
- symptoms that disrupt your day-to-day activities or hobbies
- increased absences from school or work
- permanent narrowing of your airways, which can affect how you breathe
- side effects from medications that youve been using to control your asthma
- repeated visits to your doctor or the emergency room
- psychological side effects, such as depression
Symptoms Causes And Treatments
Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.
Asthma comes in several types. Some have unique aspects that require specific diagnosis and treatment.
However, asthma has certain features that remain the same across most types:
- Classic symptoms: Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, asthma attacks
- Causes/risk factors: Genetics and environmental exposures
- Diagnosis: Pulmonary function tests and assessing response to asthma medications
- Treatment: A rescue inhaler for asthma attacks and possibly daily inhaled or oral medications to prevent symptoms
This article will explore the most common types of asthma beyond those classic features. That includes what additional symptoms they cause, and what extra diagnostic tests and treatments they require.
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Who Strategy For Prevention And Control Of Asthma
Asthma is included in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
WHO is taking action to extend diagnosis of and treatment for asthma in a number of ways.
The WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions was developed to help improve NCD management in primary health care in low-resource settings. PEN includes protocols for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic respiratory diseases , and modules on healthy lifestyle counselling, including tobacco cessation, and self-care.
Reducing tobacco smoke exposure is important for both primary prevention of asthma and disease management. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is enabling progress in this area as are WHO initiatives such as MPOWER and mTobacco Cessation.
The Four Things You Should Do Immediately If You Suffer An Asthma Attack
Knowing what to do when you have an attack could be the difference between life and death
- Andrea Downey
HAVING an asthma attack can be scary.
They leave you gasping for breath, with many sufferers describing it as feeling like a pillow is being held over their face.
Its an inconvenience some 5.4 million Brits who suffer from could face each day.
And knowing what to do when you have an attack could be the difference between life and death.
If you have asthma you should carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times, as well as use a preventative inhaler.
But they dont always protect against asthma attacks.
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What Is An Asthma Action Plan
Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop an asthma action plan. This plan tells you how and when to use your medicines. It also tells you what to do if your asthma gets worse and when to seek emergency care. Understand the plan and ask your healthcare provider about anything you dont understand.
Other Types Of Asthma
Less-common types of asthma include:
- Medication-induced asthma: Aspirin and a few other medications can trigger asthma in susceptible people or worsen pre-existing asthma. This type can be severe and even fatal.
- Viral-induced asthma: Respiratory tract infection can trigger or worsen asthma. An estimated 50% of acute asthma attacks have a viral trigger.
- Glucocorticoid-resistant asthma: A subtype of adult-onset asthma, it’s defined by symptoms not responding to steroid treatments frequently used for asthma. It’s especially likely to be severe.
Read Also: Late Asthmatic Response
Causes And Risk Factors
Nocturnal asthma is believed to be caused by changes in your body that occur at night.
Your circadian rhythm, which is your internal body clock, contributes to nocturnal asthma by causing nighttime shifts in:
- Muscle control
- Inflammation
- Hormones
Additionally, obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that interrupts breathing during sleep, is common among people who have asthma. And the conditions can exacerbate one another.
Causes Of Mucus Production
- Aspiration Inhaling foreign substances like water, dust, powder, pollen, or in the case of babies, meconium can lead to excessive mucus production
- Choking Choking on food, medicine or beverages can people with the condition to experience mucus product that can lead to an asthma attack
- Allergies Seasonal or chronic allergies often encourages excessive mucus to build in the throats, noses, and airways of people who have the disease
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Tips To Sleep Better With Asthma
Christopher L. Drake, PhD
Dr. Christopher L. Drake is Section Head of Sleep Research at the Henry Ford Health System and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at Wayne State
Millions of people are affected byor nighttime asthma. Symptoms include a tight chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and they can fragment and lighten sleep making life unbearable for
Millions of people are affected bynocturnal asthma,Verified SourceNational Library of Medicine Worlds largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.View sourceor nighttime asthma. Symptoms include a tight chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and they can fragment and lighten sleep making life unbearable for many individuals. You end up feeling tired and irritable the next day and have difficulty controlling daytime asthma symptoms.
Asthma symptoms are stronger at night for a few reasons, including higher exposure to dust mites and other allergens. Plus, lying flat on your back increases post-nasal drip, which can trigger an asthma attack. These two things can make sleeping tough. But dont worrywere here to help. In our article, we share 7 tips to sleep better with asthma so you can get undisturbed shuteye.
Asthma Uk Community Forum
Hi guys,
Last night had a dream about suddenly having an asthma attack, I woke up and it felt like the asthma attack had become real because there I was tight chested out of breath and wheezing a bit. It calmed down after i sat up taken some salbutamol and done some breathing exercises.
But i was wondering can you have attacks in your sleep? And is there anyway to prevent them? cos my sleep pattern is a bit dodgy at the mo, which could be due to my asthma or depression :/
Any advice welcome, Tired x
Is asthma this erratic before it calms down…
Hi funny you should say that i had a dream when i was told i’m diabetic and in the dream i’m shocked and end up having an attack but i woke up and same thing was happening to me, my night symptoms were not controlled so my gp increased my Flixotide top up to night too. but im still Having attacks during the day.
id say speak to your gp and get this checked out. im trying to get my appointment moved forward. But not having much luck.
the waking at night is not unusual and has a perfectly reasonable explanation. The body works roughly on it’s own internal clock, and at 4am +/-1hr all the body functions are at their lowest/slowest so that includes lungs and breathing. Likewise 4pm is the best time of day.
take care simi
Thanks for the response.
Damn, just stepped down my meds because my peak flow was getting so much better, maybe it wasnt the best plan :/
hope you are all doing ok,
tired x
hi cazzy,
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Follow Your Asthma Action Plan And Keep It Updated
Its a good idea to have an asthma action plan. This plan should include what medication you should take, what are your possible triggers , and what emergency steps youll take during an asthma attack. Its important to know what the action items are for when you need them.
This plan should also be that might happen in your life. For example, if you start taking a different type of medicine or develop a food allergy.
It can also be helpful to have your loved one, close friend or colleague know about your plan so they can help out when needed. If possible, send them a copy of your asthma action plan.
You Asked: Why Is My Asthma Worse At Night
Suddenly, your chest tightens, and your breathing starts to resemble wheezing. Asthma attacks can be a startling experience, especially if they happen while you are asleep or nearly asleep. Genny Carrillo, MD, ScD, associate professor at the Texas A& M School of Public Health, director of the Program on Asthma Research and Education, discusses how nighttime asthma attacks can be avoided.
Recommended Reading: Asthma Exacerbation Causes
What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers
An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.
For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.
Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:
- Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
- Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
- Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
- Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
- Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
- Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
- Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
- Strong chemicals or smells.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
Lie On Your Left Side With A Pillow Between Your Legs
If youre a side sleeper with asthma, lying on your left side may help particularly if you have gastroesophageal reflux, also known as heartburn, which can trigger asthma especially at night. Sleeping on your left side uses gravity, the shape of the stomach, and the angle of the connection between it and the esophagus,which can reduce reflux. Lying on your left side with your head elevated may be enough to keep you comfortable through the night, but if its not, experiment by adding a pillow between your legs.
Adding the pillow may keep your spine stable throughout the night and may improve your sleep posture, which can help you breathe easily.
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Does Asthma Get Worse At Night
Asthma is worse at night than during the day partly because the body is in a supine position, and you have a higher exposure to allergens than you would when walking around. Exacerbated symptoms make it difficult to sleep and cause coughing, wheezing, and sneezing. We recommend a humidifier, air purifier, and keeping your bedroom clean to reduce indoor allergens.
Best Products For Nocturnal Asthma
We have here a few products that could help you manage your asthma. These items are based on the list of treatments and solutions we recommended above.
If you want to start improving your physiological health, try yoga. Getting a mat should be one of your investments. We recommend this one from Dralegend for different reasons. You see, it has a skin-friendly material, so you can guarantee not to have irritations while doing your yoga sessions. Also, it has a dual-side anti-skid design perfect for most surfaces. And best of all, its easy to clean. As you can be sensitive to allergens, we recommend that you always clean your surroundings and your things. This takes us to our next recommended product.
Making sure that your home is free from dust and other allergens can also lessen the chances of an asthma attack. And if you want to do the cleaning on your own, this TOPPIN Bendable Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner should be at the top of your head. The design allows you to steer it even in hard to reach areas. That means, you can thoroughly clean your room. It also has a long power cord, so you dont have to unplug and plug it again as you move around your ho
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Symptoms After An Asthma Attack
How you feel after an asthma attack will depend on how severe the attack was and what triggered it.
If the attack was triggered by an irritant, such as cold weather, pollutants or allergens such as pollen, animal fur or dust, you should recover relatively quickly.
If your asthma attack was caused by an infection, such an upper airway infection, then it might take longer for you to recover. You may have symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion after your asthma attack.
Do follow any recovery guidance given to you by a doctor or medical professional. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take your medication and attend any necessary follow-up appointments.
If you havent seen your doctor or asthma nurse for a routine appointment recently, book one as soon as possible.
Eat To Beat Inflammation
No particular diet can prevent asthma symptoms, but eating healthy foods can help you feel better overall. If youre overweight, losing a few pounds will give your lungs more room to expand.
At mealtimes, load up on fruits and vegetables. Plant-based foods are high in antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamins A and E, which may help combat inflammation in the lungs.
Also increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish like salmon and tuna, as well as in nuts and seeds. There is some evidence these foods might help cut down on asthma symptoms.
If you have sensitivities or allergies to particular foods, try to avoid them. Allergic reactions to food can trigger asthma symptoms.
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More About Nocturnal Asthma
If you must know, the chances of having asthma symptoms are higher when we sleep. One could experience wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing, which are all dangerous when not addressed. Unfortunately, not all people take nocturnal or nighttime asthma seriously. However, according to studies, most deaths related to asthma happens at night.
Vaping And Lung Damage
- Talk with your teen about the dangers of vaping.
- Vaping can cause severe lung damage. It can become permanent.
- Vaping can even cause death .
- Vaping tobacco also causes nicotine addiction.
- For these reasons, the legal age to purchase vaping products is 21 in the US.
- Encourage your teen to not start vaping or to give it up.
- Warning: home-made or street-purchased vaping solutions are the most dangerous.
Read Also: Ways To Help Asthma Without Inhaler
Other Tips For Sleeping With Asthma
Other ways to reduce asthma symptoms at night include:
- Cut down on allergens in your bedroom. Consider using an air purifier next to your bed and keep airflow in your room through the night.
- Wash your bedding in hot water every 1-2 weeks to get rid of dust mites and other irritants that may be on your sheets.
- Consider switching to bedding made of natural cotton, as opposed to synthetic polyester depending on your allergies.
- Keep pets off your bed, especially when youre in it.
- Keep asthma medication on your nightstand or another easily accessible place, and take them as directed by your doctor.
- Set the thermostat in your bedroom slightly higher in the evenings. Sleeping in a cold environment can be an asthma trigger.
Side Effects Of Steroid Tablets
Oral steroids carry a risk if they are taken for more than three months or if they are taken frequently . Side effects can include:
- easy bruising
- muscle weakness
With the exception of increased appetite, which is very commonly experienced by people taking oral steroids, most of these unwanted effects are uncommon.
However, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for them regularly, especially side effects that are not immediately obvious, such as high blood pressure, thinning of the bones, diabetes and glaucoma.
You will need regular appointments to check for these.
Want to know more?
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