What Causes Asthma Attacks At Night

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.

Stress And Anxiety Management

Anxiety that builds up can lead to panic attacks. If you experience frequent anxiety, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. They can help you work through your anxiety and reduce the likelihood of external stressors triggering a panic attack.

Even if you dont have an anxiety disorder, stress is common. However, stress can also trigger your asthma, so its important to manage it as best as possible.

Some steps you can take to reduce everyday stress include:

• incorporating relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, into your day to day
• getting regular physical exercise
• reducing intake of alcohol and caffeine
• getting enough sleep

When To See A Healthcare Provider

Some allergy and asthmatic symptoms can be self-managed with medication and lifestyle modifications.

If your symptoms interfere with your daily activities, remain the same, or become worse, consider seeing an allergist . They can perform allergy tests and help you create an effective treatment plan.

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Why Have Your Asthma Symptoms Got Worse

Before your appointment, have a think about your symptoms and why you think theyve got worse. Itll help you and your GP to work out whats going on with your asthma.

Ask yourself these questions to help you:

Have I been taking my preventer inhaler every day?

Preventer medicines stop inflammation building up in your airways. But they can only do this if you take them every day.

If you stop taking them you wont have full protection. And your symptoms will come back.

Have you been taking yours every day? Or have you found it hard to get into a good routine?

Do I know the best way to take my inhalers?

Even if youve been taking an inhaler for years, its easy to slip into bad habits. If you havent been taking your inhaler correctly you will have been missing out on the full dose of asthma medicine.

Are you confident youre taking your inhalers in the right way? Watch our inhaler videos to see if youre doing it right. And ask your GP or asthma nurse to check it at your appointment.

Have I been around more of my usual asthma triggers?

Maybe youve caught a cold, or its pollen season and your hay fevers bad. Think about your usual triggers and if they might be affecting you more.

Have I come across a new trigger?

Have you been around an animal or pet? Did you start a new job, or go on holiday? Tell your doctor if youve spotted a new trigger. They can help you deal with it.

What else has been going on in my life lately?

Have I noticed hormonal changes?

Is Asthma Becoming Obsolete

Some researchers say that “asthma,” as a global term, could become obsolete in favor of terms that better describe the mechanisms associated with the various types.

And as discussed, some of these classifications may also be combinedâfor example, mild intermittent adult-onset allergic asthma, or glucocorticoid-resistant occupational asthma.

It’s also possible to have more than one type of asthma. For example, you could have non-allergic and nocturnal asthma.

If you’re unsure what’s behind the name being used to describe your case, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.

These are more than just names. They indicate something about your condition that is important to its management, among other things.

For example, compared to childhood-onset asthma, adult-onset asthma typically:

• Is less likely to have periods of remission
• Involves constant breathing problems
• Leads to more rapid declines in lung function
• Is more difficult to treat
• Is less likely to be associated with allergies

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Treatment Of Bronchial Asthma

Treatment of bronchial asthma, including nocturnal asthma,268,282 consists of judicious use of bronchodilators and corticosteroids, preferably inhaled in a compressor oral theophylline, maximizing the serum concentration at around 4:00 am when most nocturnal attacks occur and, for a small subset of patients who show the lowest plasma cortisol levels accompanied by the lowest PEF at night or in the early morning, nocturnal steroids.303 Other measures include treating the reversible factors such as allergens, nasal congestion, or bronchopulmonary infections, and using a humidifier.282

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, Kraft et al.304 and Wiegand et al.305 reported that salmeterol, an inhaled 2-agonist with a prolonged duration of action, improved the number of nocturnal awakenings with nocturnal asthma. Wiegand et al.305 found that salmeterol was superior to theophylline in maintaining nocturnal FEV1 levels and in improving morning and evening PEF, and in an improvement in patient perception of sleep but not in PSG measures of sleep architecture. Previously, several studies showed efficacy of salmeterol in nocturnal asthma, primarily in combination with inhaled corticosteroids.306310

Neil J. Douglas, in, 2011

Symptoms And Dangers Of Nocturnal Asthma

The chances of having asthma symptoms is higher during sleep. Nocturnal asthma symptoms of a tight chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing accompanied by sleep disturbance is commonplace, but serious. Most deaths related to asthma happen during the nighttime.

A child with nocturnal asthma is chronically sleepy during the daytime making them more susceptible to falling asleep at school, suffering from decreased concentration and performance. In addition, when a child is overtired, they can be cranky and misbehave.

Parents are likely sleep deprived too, so speak with Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford and Fayetteville about specific treatments for nocturnal asthma.

No one knows exactly why it is worse during sleep, but there are some known triggers.

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What Asthma Treatment Options Are There

You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:

• Bronchodilators: These medicines relax the muscles around your airways. The relaxed muscles let the airways move air. They also let mucus move more easily through the airways. These medicines relieve your symptoms when they happen and are used for intermittent and chronic asthma.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways. They make it easier for air to enter and exit your lungs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe them to take every day to control or prevent your symptoms of chronic asthma.
• Biologic therapies for asthma: These are used for severe asthma when symptoms persist despite proper inhaler therapy.

You can take asthma medicines in several different ways. You may breathe in the medicines using a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer or another type of asthma inhaler. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral medications that you swallow.

Other Ways To Prevent Asthma Attacks At Night

If a persons asthma is under control, then it would be rare for them to have a nocturnal asthma attack, said Carrillo. However, everybody has their own asthma triggers, so it is important to be mindful of your triggers, even when sleeping.She recommends four steps you can take to create an asthma-friendly sleep:

• Avoid sleeping near strong odors like perfumes or bed linen sprays
• Use pillow covers to prevent dust mites
• Wash your bed linens in hot water on a regular basis
• Keep pets out of the bedroom, especially if you are sensitive to their dander
• Get your flu shot and stay ahead of any respiratory illnesses

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Physiological And Clinical Consequences Of Respiratory

Disorders of ventilation during sleep can result in several physiologic and clinical disturbances .1). These complications arise either bacause of interference with the quality, quantity or structure of sleep or because of recurrent nocturnal hypoxaemia or asphyxia . The disturbances in sleep structure result in neurophysiologic and behavioural manifestations rather than respiratory complaints , whereas the complications of nocturnal hypoxaemia or asphyxia are predominantly cardiovascular and respiratory in nature .

Asthma Information For Childcare Kinder Or School

To assist childcare and preschool workers and school teachers in the care of your child with asthma:

• Tell them that your child has asthma .
• Provide them with a copy of your childs asthma action plan, including emergency contact details. Make sure you provide an updated plan every year, or if your childs medication changes.The school or childcare centre will require this for enrolment.
• Show staff members how to use the medication devices, such as spacers and puffers.
• Make sure your child has an up-to-date supply of medication and a spacer at the centre or school.
• Notify staff if your childs asthma changes.
• Tell the staff about any concerns you may have.

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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.

Why Is My Childs Asthma Worse At Night

There are no proven reasons why asthma may be worse at night. Possibilities may include:

Allergen exposure. If youâre around items that trigger or cause you to have symptoms, thatâs allergen exposure. Common triggers include:

• Dust mites
• Allergens and mold that can build up in bedding, pillows and mattresses

Sleeping position. If youâre leaning back or lying down, this can cause drainage or postnasal drip, less lung capacity and more resistance in your airways.

Gastroesophageal disease . GERD involves the stomach and esophagus or the part of the body that connects the throat and stomach. GERD symptoms can make asthma worse.

After lying down to sleep, stomach contents or acid can come back up into the esophagus. If your child wakes up from the discomfort, your child can aspirate or fluid can get in their lungs. This can cause coughing and difficulty breathing.

Air conditioning. AC cools down the air in a building. If your bodyâs airways are cooled by AC while you sleep, this can trigger asthma. Many homes in Seattle donât have AC. Remember when you travel, your hotel may have AC.

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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.

Lie On Your Back With Your Head Elevated And Your Knees Bent With A Pillow Under Knees

For some people, sleeping in the side position is just too much of a change. If you prefer sleeping on your back with your head and shoulders propped up by pillows, you can add another pillow under your knees.

This additional pillow may improve circulation and keep your body stable throughout the night, so that you dont shift out of your elevated position as you sleep.

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Does Having Phlegm Mean My Asthma Is Getting Worse

Coughing up more phlegm than usual could be a sign that your airways are inflamed. This means your airways get narrower and this can cause other asthma symptoms, like:

• coughing
• wheezing
• breathlessness.

If you have more asthma symptoms than usual, your reliever inhaler will help open up your airways. But remember, if youre using your reliever inhaler more than three times a week, you need to see your doctor.

Taking your daily preventer inhaler as prescribed should help reduce the inflammation thats causing your asthma symptoms. Find out more about how preventer inhalers help asthma.

Wash Your Bedding Weekly

If you can, wash your bed sheets and blankets in hot water once a week. A water temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit kills most allergens and bacteria. After bedding is washed, dry it on the hottest setting possible. The high heat kills any remaining allergens and sterilizes the material.

Dont place the clean bedding back on the mattress unless its completely dry. Damp bedding can lead to mold and mildew growth, which are common triggers of nighttime asthma symptoms.

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What Should I Do When My Asthma Symptoms Wake Me Up

Sit up and take your reliever inhaler as prescribed. Its a good idea to keep your inhaler and spacer beside your bed before you go to sleep, so you dont have to search for them in the middle of the night.

Give yourself a bit of time to check your reliever medicine has dealt with your symptoms before you go back to sleep, says Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK’s in-house GP. This is better than falling asleep straight away only to wake up soon after with asthma symptoms because your reliever didnt help enough.

People with asthma might experience stress and anxiety when feeling breathless at night. Some people find breathing exercises are beneficial when experiencing anxiety and panic.

What To Do When Asthma Stops You Sleeping

• If you have asthma symptoms, sit up and take your reliever inhaler as prescribed.
• Always make sure your inhaler is beside your bed before you go to sleep, so you dont have to search for it in the middle of the night.
• Give yourself a bit of time to check your reliever medicine has dealt with your symptoms before you go back to sleep, says Dr Andy Whittamore. This is better than falling asleep straight away only to wake up soon after with asthma symptoms because your reliever didnt help enough.
• Some people find propping themselves up with extra pillows helps as it keeps the airways open.

0:07 Gross as it looksphlegm and mucus protect your body from infection.

0:11 A little bit of phlegm is totally normal but if your phlegm

0:18 changes in colour thickness or amount it could be a sign that youâre ill and your

0:20 asthma may be affected

0:23 if you find youâve been coughing up more phlegm than

0:28 usual this could be a sign that your airways are inflamed this can cause

0:34 asthma symptoms like coughing wheezing shortness of breath or a tight chest

0:38 You should take your daily preventer inhaler as prescribed and it should help stop

0:42 these symptoms because it reduces the inflammation in your airways over time

0:47 if youâre doing this and still getting a lot of mucus on your chest you should

0:51 book an appointment with your doctor or ask the nurse

1:00 if you have yellow or green phlegm this might be a sign of an infection like a cold flu or a chest

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Why Does Asthma Get Worse At Night

Asthma that gets more pronounced at night is nighttime asthma or nocturnal asthma. Nocturnal asthma causes symptoms like chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing at night, creating sleep difficulty at night and irritability during the day. These problems can affect the persons overall quality of life.