Tips To Prevent Nighttime Asthma Attacks
Nighttime asthma attacks can be controlled. Take these steps to sleep better with severe asthma.
Many people with severe asthma find that symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness are worse at night. There are a number of reasons why this is so, says Sonali Bose, MD, an assistant professor in the division of medicine, pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Some key factors that contribute to nighttime asthma attacks include:
- Your bodys internal clock. Your circadian rhythm causes some of your hormone levels to fall at night. Lower levels of hormones can cause your airways to narrow slightly. These narrowed airways can exacerbate your asthma symptoms, according to the Asthma Society of Canada .
- Dust mites. Your pillows, blankets, and mattress can all be a haven for these microscopic insect-like pests and their waste. Allergies to dust mites can worsen asthma, and you could be wallowing in them as you sleep, according to the ASC.
- Gravity. When you lie down, your chest and lungs naturally experience extra pressure, the ASC says.
What Causes Asthma Cough: Its Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment
Having a cough can be a big nuisance. Not only are you hacking away the entire day, but it often leaves you feeling tired and out of breath. Constantly coughing in the office can also become a cause of embarrassment when it refuses to let up. In fact, statistics show that a cough is one of the most common reasons or complaints for which people seek medical attention. Asthma cough, also known as cough variant asthma, is a form of asthma that only presents with a cough. Due to the fact that most people associate asthma with breathing trouble, asthma cough tends to go undiagnosed many a times.
Medical History And Physical Exam
Your doctor will ask about your risk factors for asthma and your . They may ask also about any known allergies. This includes how often symptoms occur, what seems to trigger your symptoms, when or where symptoms occur, and if your symptoms wake you up at night.
During the physical exam, your doctor may:
- Listen to your breathing and look for of asthma
- Look for allergic skin conditions, such as eczema
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler
There Are Few Other Techniques Discussed Below And Can Help You Against Asthma:
- Belly breathing technique
Carefully concentrate on your breathing. Its must that you should breathe slowly through your nose. This technique of belly breathing can maximize the air distribution inside your lungs. You can lie down or sit straight. When you inhale your abdomen should go out as opposed to your chest. Exhale slowly with your abdomen pushing inward. Ideally exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation.
- Buteyko breathing exercise
This buteyko breathing technique perfectly aims at consciously reducing either breathing rate or breathing volume. The method involves sitting upright with a belly and chest muscles when you are breathing. Breathe through your nose gently with a closed mouth. Breathe slow and shallow. Try to exhale slowly till the time it seems that here is no air left in the lungs. Hold your breath as long as possible and then again revert to a gentle breathing.
- Pursed lip breathing technique
One of the most helpful techniques during an asthma attack. As air is trapped in your lungs during an attack so this helps get more air out and make breathing easier. It involves inhaling slowly through the nose and then exhaling through pursed lips, or exhaling slowly.
My Child Coughs A Lot Could It Be Asthma
Cough is quite a common symptom along with wheezing in babies and young children when they have colds and viruses. If your child coughs a lot, it could be worth getting them checked out by a medical professional.
Asthma is more likely be the cause of the cough is dry if the cough or wheeze wont go away or keeps coming back, occurs more at night or early in the morning, they have symptoms after running around, laughing or being in the cold, wheeze without other cold symptoms, and there are other symptoms such as breathlessness,
Monitor when your child has a cough so you can tell your doctor and determine potential triggers.
Recommended Reading: Can You Join The Army If You Have Asthma
Keep Your Mattress Up Off Of The Floor
While you technically can use some mattresses directly on the floor, we dont suggest that for people with allergies Placing your mattress on the floor means youre closer to dirt, dust, and other germs that can more easily make their way into your sleep space. Using a mattress foundation or bed frame limits your exposure to these irritants.
Could My Cough Be Covid
Cough can be a symptom of asthma, hay fever, cold and flu, or COVID-19.
Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital respiratory clinician Dr. John Blakey told Asthma Australia that people with an asthma cough may have found it challenging amid the COVID-19 heightened concern when it comes to displaying respiratory symptoms.
Under these circumstances, we would encourage people to keep it simple, be transparent about their cough and be willing to say, Its my normal asthma cough, he says.
He says when considering if the symptom could be from COVID-19 think about whether there are other issues such as a sore throat, fatigue, runny nose or congestion, or breathlessness.
A major factor is whether the person has been in contact with a COVID-19 case or a person who has been overseas recently.
He also suggests asking yourself if the cough is more persistent or produces unusual mucous or has worse symptoms in the nose especially with the sense of smell.
For more information on asthma symptoms, call 1800 ASTHMA and speak to an Asthma Educator.
Get more support for your asthma management by joining Asthma Assist.
References
Also Check: Inhaled Anticholinergics
Why Do Some People Cough At Night
Well, it’s normal to cough at night if you are sick. But if you don’t have a cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia, you shouldn’t be coughing at night. Nocturnal asthma can be caused by a variety of things, such as:3,4
- Allergies
- Laying down
- Changes in the circadian rhythm that can cause hormone changes
- Sinuses draining
- Increased airway resistance due to airways narrowing during sleep
For the last couple of weeks, I have been waking up coughing during the night. This is not like me at all. And I’m not sick, so I shouldn’t be coughing.
Why Do Some Children Have Asthma
One in 4 children in New Zealand will have asthma at some time during childhood.
It is not clear why some children have asthma when others do not.
Asthma in children is more likely if:
- a mother smoked during pregnancy
- a child has eczema, hay fever or allergies
- there is asthma in the family – parent, brother or sister
- one or both parents have an allergic condition such as asthma, hay fever or eczema
Modern Western lifestyle may play a part in the rise in asthma that has happened over the last few decades. Changes in housing, diet and a more hygienic environment may contribute. Outdoor environmental pollution may make asthma symptoms worse but it does not actually cause asthma. Experts continue to study the reasons for the increase in asthma.
Don’t Miss: Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis
Stop Cough At Night With Breathe
Stop Cough at Night With Breathe-Easy Exercise? Persistent coughing at night or daytime is the most common symptom among asthmatics. Over a quarter million asthmatics became symptom-free naturally and stopped persistent coughing at night using one breathing technique called the Buteyko Emergency Procedure. This simple home remedy can help stop bouts of persistent coughing, including a dry cough and will aid in falling asleep promptly using relaxation and reduced breathing explained below.
The Buteyko breathing method has been used by more than 150 MDs in the USSR and Russia for over 40 years. These doctors taught this exercise to their patients with asthma, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions. It also solves the problem of how to stop coughing at night. It will also help to get rid of or reduce coughing at night. It works well for a dry cough at night, excessive or a severe cough, nagging of coughing, and other similar situations. Cant stop persistent coughing during the day?
Coughing means breathing about 3-5 times more air than the medical norm. This activity is called hyperventilation.
Overbreathing reduces oxygen levels in the brain, heart, and all other vital organs . This is the main reason why coughing promotes chronic diseases, like asthma, COPD, cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and many others.
Create Your Own Supplement Plan: Dos And Donts To Remember
Heres the list of Do/Donts in order to get rid out of asthma cough in the night
- Do a careful review clinical studies of any supplement you are considering
- Do a proper research for manufacturing processes, 3rd party tests, and brand reputation as well
- dont assume that expensive supplements are more effective than reasonably priced supplements
- dont try introducing more than one supplement at a time
- do prepare notes in terms of what you notice and how a particular supplement affects you
Read Also: Inhaled Steroid Conversion
How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Asthma
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, including information about your parents and siblings. Your provider will also ask you about your symptoms. Your provider will need to know any history of allergies, eczema and other lung diseases.
Your healthcare provider may order a chest X-ray, blood test or skin test. Your provider may order spirometry. This test measures airflow through your lungs.
How To Sleep Better With Severe Asthma
In addition to taking asthma medications as prescribed, here are seven steps you can take to lower your chances of having a nighttime asthma attack:
1. Clean your bedroom regularly. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter to trap mites and their waste and get them out of your bedroom. If your vacuum doesnt have a HEPA filter, you can buy one from an allergy supply company, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American .
2. Wash your bedding in hot water weekly. Make sure the water is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit so it will kill dust mites. Finish the job in a hot dryer.
3. Invest in dust-proof mattress and pillow protectors. These zippered covers are woven tightly to keep dust mites out of bedding. You can find them at bedding and housewares stores, the AAFA says.
4. Invest in a humidifier. Cold air is drier and more troublesome for people with severe asthma. Depending on where you live, you might benefit from a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your bedroom in the winter, Bose says. Whats more: Dust mites thrive in low humidity, so boosting humidity by using a humidifier in your bedroom can help keep dust mites at bay.
5. Dont sleep with pets. If you have pets, keep them out of the bedroom so their dander doesnt collect or stick to the carpeting and bedding, Bose says. You may also need to keep the door to your bedroom shut to keep your pet and its dander out.
You May Like: Do Chihuahuas Cure Asthma
Nocturnal Asthma And Children
Asthma is more common in children than in adults and is the most common chronic disease in children worldwide. Accurately diagnosing and treating nocturnal asthma in children is especially important because the effects of nocturnal asthma, like loss of sleep and daytime sleepiness, are associated with behavioral and developmental difficulties.
Unfortunately, nocturnal asthma often goes undiagnosed in children because they tend to underestimate or not report their nighttime symptoms. For this reason, its helpful for parents to monitor and report back to the doctor any concerning symptoms in children. These symptoms may include wheezing, disturbed sleep, daytime sleepiness, and difficulties concentrating at school.
Tips To Keep Your Asthma Under Control
May 4th, 2015
Almost three million Canadians and more than 300 million people worldwide have asthma, including many top athletes. Asthma is a common chronic lung disease that can make it difficult to breathe. Although there is no cure for asthma, those with the condition can live healthy, active lives if their asthma is under control.
For World Asthma Day , the Canadian Lung Association has some helpful tips for people with asthma.
1. Know your triggers and avoid themTriggers like allergens and irritants can make your asthma symptoms worse by irritating your airways. The best way to control your asthma is to know what your asthma triggers are and how to avoid them.
2. Take your asthma medication as prescribed by your doctorMany people think they can skip their asthma preventer medications when they dont feel any symptoms thats not true. Asthma is a chronic disease. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, even when you dont feel symptoms. You have to manage your asthma every day, not just on days when you feel symptoms. Read more about asthma medications and how to use them.
3. Learn how to use your inhaler properlyYour health-care provider can show you how to use your inhaler properly so that your medicine reaches the airways. Ask him or her to watch you useyour inhaler. Your health-care provider may offer suggestions on how to improve your technique so that the medication gets to your airways. Watch our videos on how to properly use your inhalers.
You May Like: Does Weight Gain Make Asthma Worse
Why Is Asthma Worse At Night
If you have asthma, you may notice that your symptoms are worse during certain times of the day. For example, some people have worse asthma symptoms during the spring or experience asthma exacerbations when it’s cold outside.
But for some, asthma symptoms may be especially bothersome at night. An increase in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath can develop just as you try to get some sleep.
An increase in asthma symptoms at night can make it difficult to get proper rest, leaving you fatigued the next day. If asthma symptoms often flareup at night, you may end up with sleep deprivation, which can affect work or school, as well as your overall health.
Understanding why asthma may become worse at night and what you can do may help you get the sleep you need.
Cough Suppressants And Expectorants
Although your local drugstore probably carries a wide variety of brands and formulations, there are really only two types of OTC cough medicine available: cough suppressants and cough expectorants.
Cough suppressants quiet your cough by blocking your cough reflex. This is helpful for dry coughs that are painful or keeping you up at night.
Expectorants are better for wet coughs. They work by thinning the mucus in your airway so you can more easily cough it up. You may already have some natural expectorants at home, too.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler
How To Stop Asthma Cough
This article was co-authored by Shaun Berger, MD. Dr. Shaun Berger is a board certified Pediatrician based in the San Diego, California metro area. Dr. Berger provides comprehensive primary care for newborns, children, and adolescents, focusing on preventive medicine. Dr. Berger earned a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and an MD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Berger then completed a residency at the UCSF/Fresno Community Medical Centers/Valley Childrens Hospital where he was elected Chief Resident. He has been awarded the UCSF Foundation Award and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 76,283 times.
Many people are familiar with common asthma symptoms like tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. Coughing is another troublesome symptom of asthma, the inflammatory lung disease which narrows the breathing airways. To stop an asthma-related cough, identify and avoid your triggers, take medication to treat your asthma, and make yourself comfortable.
When To See A Doctor Urgently
Keep your child sitting up and give them 6 puffs of the blue inhaler through the spacer and see a doctor urgently if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- is breathing fast, wheezing and having to use extra effort to breathe
- is breathless at rest
- has blue lips and tongue
- has periods of stopping breathing
In severe asthma, it is usually better to dial 111 within New Zealand and ask for emergency medical help, rather than drive your child in your own car to the hospital.
While you are waiting for the ambulance, keep giving your child 6 puffs of the blue inhaler through the spacer every 5 minutes.
You May Like: Inhaler Holder
How To Ease Breathing Problems At Night
- Keep allergens at bay: your difficulty breathing at night may be caused by tiny particles in your bedding. Eliminate house dust mites and dust mite allergens from your sleep environment by cosying up in a wool bedding set. This natural fibre is highly effective at repelling dust mites and keeping them out of your bed, so you can get a better nights sleep.
- Sleep on extra pillows: if lying down flat seems to trigger an episode of wheezing and coughing at night, try propping yourself up on an extra pillow or two. This can help to ease problems associated with catarrh and reduced lung capacity.
- Maintain a good sleeping routine: while a regular bedtime routine wont alleviate the symptoms of an asthma cough at night, it can help you to settle down to sleep more easily, increasing your chances of getting a good nights rest.
- Watch out for other triggers: pet hair, pollen and stress can all cause difficulty breathing at night. Its important to identify any triggers that cause breathing problems at night for you so you can take steps to minimise these.
- Ask your GP or asthma nurse about changes to medication: if you regularly experience coughing and wheezing at night, or if your symptoms get worse, see your GP or nurse to review your medication. If possible, take along a record of your recent peak flow readings for them to better understand your sleep and asthma issues.