Many people with asthma know their illness can flare up at night, and new research suggests the body's internal clock could be to blame. The findings could prove important for treating and studying asthma, which hospitalizes and causes death in far more Blacks than other races, researchers say
"This is one of the first studies to carefully isolate the influence of the circadian system from the other factors that are behavioral and environmental, including sleep," study co-corresponding author Frank Scheer, director of the Medical Chronobiology Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston says.
Up to 75% of people with asthma report having worse symptoms at night, and factors such as exercise, air temperature, posture and sleep environment are known to affect asthma severity.
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But the role of the body's internal clock (circadian system) has been unclear.
"Our findings point to a phenomenon of 'silent' asthma,'" Scheer says in a hospital news release. "A person's airway resistance may be worse at night, due to the combined effects of the circadian system and of the behavioral sleep/wake cycle, but they are generally unaware of this unless it is so severe that it wakes them up."
The new study included 17 people with asthma. They were not taking steroid medication, but did use bronchodilator inhalers when they had worsening asthma symptoms.
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Their lung function, asthma symptoms and inhaler use were continuously assessed in two separate protocols. In one, the patients were awake continuously for 38 hours. In the other, they were placed on a recurring 28-hour sleep/wake cycle for a week.
Both protocols found participants had their lowest lung function during the circadian night (around 4 a.m.) and a worsening of asthma that
normally may go unnoticed during sleep.
The patients used their inhalers four times more often during the circadian night than during the day, the findings show.
"We observed that those people who have the worst asthma, in general, are the ones who suffer from the greatest circadian-induced drops in pulmonary function at night, and also had the greatest changes induced by behaviors, including sleep," co-corresponding author Steven Shea, director of the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, in Portland says.
SEE MORE: 3 Ways To Breathe Better At Night
What can you do?
Nocturnal wheezing, cough, and trouble breathing are common among asthma sufferers. However, they are very dangerous so it is important that you consult with a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
The following are effective methods for treating nighttime asthma that you may consider:
- Inhaled steroids
- A long-acting bronchodilator
- A long-acting inhaled corticosteroid
- Avoiding allergy triggers such as dust mites, animal dander, or feathers in a down comforter
Additionally, using a peak flow meter can help you monitor how your lung function is altered throughout the day and night. This will help your doctor come up with the appropriate plan to treat your nighttime asthma symptoms.
Whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe, missing sleep can affect the overall quality of your life. Luckily, with these solutions, your doctor will be able to prescribe the right medication that will allow you to sleep undisturbed. You'll be sleeping like a baby in no time.
