FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO NOCTURNAL ASTHMA
It is well known that asthma gets worse at night. Causes are various, some of which are:
- Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
- Dust mites or other allergens
- Overproduction of mucus
- Higher level of histamine
- Breathing in cold air
- Lower epinephrine levels
- Sleep apnea
- Obesity
- Not elevating the head while sleeping
- Psychological stress
Nocturnal asthma can be caused just by seeping because the bronchial function changes. During sleep, the airways become narrow and it creates more resistance for air to come in and out of the body. This causes coughing, which further tightens the airways. After that, sinuses will drain, and trigger asthma reactions. Therefore, breathing worsens between 4 to 6 hours after you sleep. More over, common respiratory viruses may seriously worsen asthma .That is why parents and caregivers have to be very careful in such circumstances.
OTHER CAUSES
- Postnasal drip – People are more prone to postnasal drip during the night. When laying down in a flat position, fluid can easily drip down towards the back of the throat and causes coughing. Lying down can also cause the fluid to flow from legs to chest, and this leads to more fluid accumulation in the airways and narrows down breathing passages.
MEDICATION
Asthma specialists normally prescribe 2 primary medications: a long-term inhaler and a rescue inhaler. The asthma triggers are individual-specific .An asthma specialist will diagnose the disease and , if necessary, will ask for allergic consultation. Asthma may worsen a child’s quality of life, school performance or even be life threatening.
You should always ask your doctor if you notice that your child is coughing during the night or is complaining for short of breath when exercising. It might be asthma. And asthma can be treated