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.
The Circadian System Contributes To Asthma During Sleep
Posted by Sleep Review Staff | Oct 26, 2021 | Curated, Sleep Health | 0 |
Researchers found that the circadian system contributes to the common nighttime worsening of asthma, according to data published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
For centuries, it has been recognized that asthma severity shows a daily rhythm, with the worst symptoms at night, Frank A.J.L. Scheer, MSc, PhD, of the division of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School, and colleagues wrote. However, it is unclear to what degree this is driven by everyday behaviors, such as sleep, physical activity and body posture changes, versus intrinsic rhythms generated by the internal body clock.
Scheer and colleagues wrote that the bodys circadian system may influence the pulmonary and inflammatory system via the automatic nervous system, humoral factors and local molecular clocks.
To determine the independent effect of the endogenous circadian system on asthma, the researchers enrolled patients with asthma without steroid use and a group of control participants in two complementary in-laboratory protocols.
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Asthma And Sleeping Positions
What most of the current research concludes is that the effectiveness of certain sleeping positions over others may depend on the individual and their asthma severity. In my experience, falling asleep on my left side tends to make my airways feel more open, but trying to sleep on my back is extremely uncomfortable.
Contrary to my own sleeping patterns, research suggests that some asthmatics do experience fewer symptoms of nocturnal asthma while on their backs.2 Theres also evidence that lying on your side or on your stomach can possibly constrict your lung function and induce nocturnal asthma.1
Since medical researchers are still working to understand the true causation of nocturnal asthma, there may also be other factors involved.
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What Is An Asthma Attack
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, asthma attacks occur when an inflammation or obstruction of the bronchial tubes exists. Since these tubes allow air to enter and leave the lungs, asthma happens when air movement in and out of the lungs is restricted.
Asthma attacks are most commonly recognized by severe wheezing, consistent coughing and rapid breathing. However, people experiencing asthma attacks may also notice tightness in their chest and neck. If not enough oxygen reaches their lungs, then they may turn pale and their lips and fingernails could turn blue.
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person, but you can control them with a proper prevention routine. If your asthma is under control, then the likelihood of you experiencing an asthma attack decreases, Carrillo said.
Asthma And Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which the airways narrow or collapse during sleep. Asthma and OSA share similar symptoms and appear to have a bidirectional relationship. This means that having one of these respiratory conditions increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with the other. OSA is particularly common in people with asthma who also snore and those with poorly-controlled asthma symptoms.
People with asthma may find it helpful to talk to their doctors about obstructive sleep apnea. Because asthma puts a person at an increased risk of developing OSA, research suggests that periodic evaluations for OSA may help patients with asthma. Fortunately, treating OSA can often reduce asthma symptoms.
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Reducing Asthma Symptoms Leads To A Better Sleep
So why is it so important to reduce your nocturnal asthma symptoms and enjoy a better night of sleep? For starters, reducing your asthma symptoms leads to a boosted and strengthened immune system, leaving you better equipped to fight off colds and infections.
Getting better sleep is the best way to combat excessive daytime sleepiness, and it also reduces your long-term risk of developing high blood pressure and heart attacks.
As an added bonus, better sleep also leads to a healthier weight. Well-rested bodies experience a reduction in ghrelin, an appetite-boosting hormone, as well as better regulation of leptin, a hormone that tells your brain that your stomach is full.
How To Get A Better Nights Sleep
Coping with disturbed nights because of your childs asthma can be difficult. You might also find it hard to sleep if youre worrying about their asthma.
Try these tips:
- Read through your childs written asthma action plan regularly so youre confident about what to do if they have asthma symptoms at night.
- Jot down any worries and how youll deal with them for example, if youâre worried about your childâs cough at night, make a note that youâll book an appointment with their GP or asthma nurse in the morning. This can help clear your mind so you feel more able to sleep.
- with other parents on our asthma forum or read parentsâ stories to find out how others cope.
- our Helpline on 0300 222 5800 to speak to an asthma nurse specialist about your childâs night time symptoms. Or you can WhatsApp them on 07378 606 728.
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Never Eat Before Sleep
Eating a meal or drinking a protein-rich drink such as milk or hot chocolate two or even three hours before going to bed will result in increased breathing. Then you will have both an increase in breathing due to lying in a horizontal position, and an increase in breathing due to eating or drinking. Then overbreathing is guaranteed, resulting in a poor nights sleep. Eating a meal late at night can also result in having no appetite for breakfast.
Eating late at night on a regular basis is inherently unhealthy for anyone asthmatic or not. It contributes to increased weight gain and lethargy, and it can disrupt the appetite the following day. My grandfather was a man of much wisdom and he had a saying that you should always wake up with an appetite. Im sure he was right.
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How To Tell You Have Asthma
In this section: Diagnosis and Lung Testing | How To Tell You Have Asthma | Your Healthcare Team
Asthma is a complex disease to diagnose, and only a healthcare professional is able to make a proper diagnosis.
If you are concerned that you may have asthma, contact your healthcare provider. In order to confirm an asthma diagnosis, your healthcare provider will take into account your medical and family history, allergies, and conduct lung function testing such as spirometry.
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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.
Advice For Friends And Family
It’s important that your friends and family know how to help in an emergency.
It can be useful to make copies of your personal asthma action plan and share it with others who may need to know what to do when you have an attack.
You can photocopy your existing plan, or you could download a blank personal asthma action plan from Asthma UK and fill it in for anyone who might need a copy.
Or you could take a photo of your action plan on your phone, so you can show or send it to others easily.
Page last reviewed: 19 April 2021 Next review due: 19 April 2024
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What Sleeping Positions Mean For Your Health
As you drift off to sleep, how does your nightly position affect your health? Whether you prefer stomach, back, side or curled into a fetal position, the way you snuggle into the pillow may affect your breathing patterns, neck and back pain, and circulation. A less-serious effect, but one most people would like to avoid, is an increase in facial wrinkles.
Here are some of the pros and cons of four go-to nightly postures, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
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.
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Tips To Sleep Better With Severe Asthma At Night
Nocturnal asthma is associated with poor sleep quality. This condition of sleeplessness and its effects are worse for children. The average total sleep quality score of children affected by asthma is 51, which is above the clinical cut off of 41, but it indicates the pervasive sleep disturbances among this population.
Here are a few tips that can help you sleep better with asthma at night:
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Don’t have written asthma action plan from your doctor
- Use an inhaler, but don’t have a spacer
- Miss more than 1 day of school per month for asthma
- Asthma limits exercise or sports
- Asthma attacks wake child up from sleep
- Use more than 1 inhaler per month
- No asthma check-up in more than 1 year
- You have other questions or concerns
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When Should I Call My Doctor
If your child suffers from NA regularly, call your childs doctor to talk about making changes to their treatment plan.
Sometimes medications used to take care of asthma can cause sleep problems. Talk to your childs doctor if your child cant sleep because of their asthma medication.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. You should consult an appropriate health care professional for your specific needs.
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How Do You Sleep With Asthma
You can sleep better with asthma if you:
Make sure to clean your room regularly, especially your bedding.
Wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week.
Use a dust-proof mattress and pillow protectors.
Invest in a humidifier.
Avoid sleeping with pets even if you feel compelled to or think nothing will happen if you sleep just one night with them. It is recommended to keep them outside during the night.
Keep your head up, this will help you breathe better and relieve your lungs from the pressure of the gravity.
Make sure you get tested by a professional to rule out sleep apnea.
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Lie In Your Again Together With Your Shoulders And Neck Elevated
Elevating your neck and shoulders with two, three, or extra pillows can open up your airways as you sleep. In case your sinuses drain extra through the night time, sleeping with pillows beneath your shoulders provides the drainage a gravity enhance with the intention to maintain respiration straightforward whilst you sleep.
Phase : Changes In Children With Asthma Following Adjustment Of Treatment
Asthma severity
At baseline, children reported waking from between one or two nights a week to seven nights a week, with a mean of 4.3 nights a week. After treatment change, only three children still reported waking at night. Initially, 13 of 19 children who were questioned reported exercise limitation this was reduced to one after treatment. Five children reported school disruption because of their asthma and this also decreased to one after treatment.
FEV1 and FEF2575 measured during clinic visits both improved, although not significantly . Mean PEFR, from home recordings, had significantly improved four weeks after treatment change, by which time diurnal variation in PEFR had also decreased significantly.
Physiological measures in children with asthma
Polysomnography
The number of awakenings had decreased significantly at four weeks after treatment, to the point of being very similar to the rate seen in the normal control group . Other sleep variables showed no significant change.
Home polysomnographic findings and parental ratings of childs sleep quality impairment and daytime sleepiness in children with asthma
Subjective impairment of childs sleep quality and daytime sleepiness
Cognitive function
Mood and daytime behaviour
After four weeks, the childrens mood had improved significantly and their scores were significantly lower on the parent factor of learning problems .
Mood and behaviour ratings of children with asthma
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The Right Pillow May Help
A contoured pillow or one with memory-foam which holds its shape, can help to guide your body and hold your head in the right position to keep you sleeping on your side. For more tips on best sleeping practices, check out our article on Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene or browse the pillows in the shop.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Asthma
If you think that you have asthma, the best thing you can do is see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for proper testing and diagnosis. Many people normalize their symptoms, without ever realizing that a symptom-free life could be possible. Its crucial to never ignore or downplay your asthma symptoms, you never know when something could trigger a potentially fatal asthma attack.
The sooner that you get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, the sooner you can take control of your asthma and live life to the fullest.
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Keep Up With Your Medications
Worsening night time asthma can mean youre not using your asthma control medications as often as you should. Daytime inhalers are important to fight inflammation and keep your body in a healthy state, but they may not be the sole solution.
Talk to your doctor about which medication to take before bedtime to best relieve inflammation and relax your bronchial muscles. A long-acting bronchodilator may be your best bet for sounder sleep.
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How Should I Handle My Child’s Na
Each person is different. If you lessen the amount of time your child spends around triggers, that will help with their asthma symptoms and NA. It’s also important to keep the sleeping area clean.
Change sheets regularly. Wash bedding in hot water. Wipe down shelves, ledges and nearby furniture to lessen the amount of dust in the room. Don’t let your child sleep in the same room with pets.
Try to use allergy-free sheets. Make sure pillows have a cover and look for allergy-free material.
Try to have your child sleep at a slight incline. If you lift your child’s head four to six inches by adding blocks under the bed post, this can help with GERD symptoms.
Using a humidifier also helps to keep the air moist in your child’s room.
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Can Asthma Be Cured
There is currently no known cure for asthma, but with proper diagnosis and asthma management it is fully possible for people with asthma to live healthy, active and symptom-free lives.
There is still much research that needs to be done to fully understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. Asthma Canadas National Research Program is committed to supporting leading asthma researchers and graduate student researchers working to expand our knowledge and one day, unlock a cure.
What Is Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, long-term disease of the airways, the tubes that carry air into our lungs. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which leads to airflow limitation. The airways of our lungs are surrounded by muscles and contain mucous glands. These muscles are normally relaxed, but if you have asthma, they are often sensitive and inflamed.
When people with asthma encounter triggers, these muscles react by tightening even more, the lining of the airways swell and the airways can fill up with mucus. This makes breathing very difficult and leads to asthma symptoms or asthma exacerbation, also known as an asthma attack.
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