Why Is My Asthma Worse at Night?
If you’ve ever wondered why your asthma symptoms tend to flare up at night, you’re not alone. Many people experience worsening asthma symptoms in the evening, leaving them struggling to get a restful night’s sleep.
This pattern, known as nocturnal asthma, can lead to a frustrating cycle of fatigue, anxiety, and poor asthma control. Understanding why this happens and how you can manage it can improve your quality of life.
Watch the video: Why Is My Asthma Worse at Night?
How common is Nocturnal Asthma?
Research shows that nighttime asthma symptoms affect a significant portion of the population, with some studies estimating that 44% and 61% of asthma patients experience worsening symptoms at night.
Reasons Your Asthma Might Be Worse at Night
Changes in Hormones: Your body’s hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and night. Cortisol, a hormone that reduces inflammation, naturally decreases during the night. Lower cortisol levels can lead to increased airway inflammation, making breathing harder.
Allergens in Your Sleep Environment: Dust mites, pet dander, mold, and other indoor allergens can be more concentrated in your bedroom, especially in bedding, pillows, and carpets.
Breathing in these allergens all night can trigger asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Lying Flat: When you lie down, the position can put extra pressure on your airways and lungs, making breathing more difficult. This can also cause postnasal drip or acid reflux, both of which can aggravate asthma symptoms.
Nighttime Cooling: During the night, the temperature in your environment usually drops, which can cause your airways to tighten.
Cold air is a common asthma trigger; breathing it in while you sleep can cause your asthma symptoms to worsen.
Circadian Rhythms: Your body’s natural biological clock, or circadian rhythm, influences various bodily functions, including your respiratory system.
Airway narrowing tends to be more pronounced at night due to these rhythms, making it harder to breathe.
Acid Reflux: Acid reflux, or GERD, is more likely to occur when lying down, and the acid can irritate your airways, leading to increased asthma symptoms.
Tips for Managing Your Nighttime Asthma
While your worsening nighttime symptoms may cause havoc, the good news is that you can take steps to help reduce them and improve your sleep quality.
Keep Your Bedroom Allergen-Free: To reduce exposure to allergens, use dust-mite-proof pillows and mattress covers.
Wash your bed linens in hot water weekly and vacuum carpets and rugs regularly. If you have pets, try to keep them out of the bedroom to limit exposure to pet dander.
Use a Humidifier or Air Purifier: Cold, dry air or poor air quality can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Running a humidifier can help maintain moisture in the air, while an air purifier can help filter out dust, mold spores, and other allergens that may trigger your asthma.
Elevate Your Head: Consider propping yourself with extra pillows when you sleep. Elevating your upper body helps reduce the pressure on your lungs and airways and minimizes acid reflux, which can irritate your airways.
Take Your Medication as Prescribed: Following your asthma action plan is essential. If you use an inhaler or take other asthma medications, ensure you take them exactly as your doctor prescribes. Nighttime asthma may require adjusting your treatment plan, so ensure you speak to your healthcare provider about it.
Evaluate for GERD: If you suspect acid reflux contributes to your nighttime symptoms, speak to your doctor. They may suggest changes to your diet, medications, or sleep habits to help manage reflux and, in turn, improve your asthma.
Discuss Biologic Therapy with Your Doctor: Biologic therapies have shown promise in controlling severe asthma by targeting the underlying causes of inflammation.
If you continue to struggle with nighttime asthma despite following your treatment plan, it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether biologic therapy is a suitable option for you.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over Asthma
Nighttime asthma doesn’t have to disrupt your life. By identifying and addressing potential triggers, working with your healthcare team to optimize your treatment plan, and considering advanced therapies like biologics, you can regain control of your asthma and enjoy peaceful, restorative sleep once again.
