Sleep and Asthma

About Asthma

• An asthma “attack” is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs leading to shortness of breath ranging from mild to life-threatening
• Asthma affects the lives of about 22 million Americans, with 12 million having had an asthma attack in the last year

Asthma is broadly split into allergenic or non-allergenic asthma. Allergenic asthma occurs when the constriction of the airway is caused by an allergen such as dust, pet hair, pollen, or mold. Non-allergenic asthma occurs when the attack is promoted by factors such as exercise, stress, or irritants like cigarette smoke.

The key to managing and preventing asthma is identifying the triggers that cause or accentuate attacks. If possible, any exposure to the triggers should be reduced or eliminated. Many asthma sufferers use an inhaled steroid on a regular basis. During an asthma attack, or to ward off an attack, sufferers use a bronchodilator to keep the airway open.

Asthma during the night is common and can be regarded as a sleep disorder. Equally, other sleep disorders may increase the chance of an asthma attack.

About Sleep and Asthma

• Nighttime asthma attacks are experienced by many sufferers; more than 60% have nighttime symptoms once a week or more
• Over a quarter of people with mild asthma wake every night short of breath
• Compared to non-asthmatics, sufferers are 50% more likely to be tired during the day
• Sleep quantity and quality are affected by asthma

Many asthma patients are unaware of their nighttime asthma, even though it is causing problems with their sleep. Many factors could contribute to nocturnal asthma, including:

• Simply lying down horizontally during sleep narrows the airways
• Changes in body chemistry during the night that promote airway narrowing
• The asthmatic trigger is part of the bedtime environment
• Other sleep disorders

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in the whole population and could also contribute to asthma problems at night. Treatment for nocturnal asthma can include a variety of drugs, or CPAP for those with asthma and sleep apnea. Nocturnal asthma is common and should be treated to improve the quality of life for asthma sufferers.

References

National Center for Health Statistics
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/ashtma03-05/asthma03-05.htm