![]() ![]() Epinephrine helps to keep the muscle in the walls of the bronchi relaxed so the airways remains wide and also supresses the release of histamine. Epinephrine levels and peak expiratory flow rates are lowest at about 04:00am while histamine levels peak at this time. Hormones that circulate in the blood have well-characterised circadian rhythms. Moisture loss and airway cooling have been implicated in nocturnal asthma and are also important triggers of exercise induced asthma. Many factors can cause this, such as accumulation of secretion in the airways (postnasal drip), increased blood volume in the lungs, decreased lung volumes and increased airway resistance.Īir Conditioning or breathing colder air at night may also cause loss of heat from the airways. Reclining position may also predispose the body to nocturnal asthma problems. Internal Triggers relating to sleep are being investigated as research suggests that breathing tests in nocturnal asthma sufferers are worse four to six hours after falling asleep. Increased drainage from the sinuses can also trigger asthma in highly sensitive airways. Increased mucus or sinusitis with asthma is quite common. There are also a number of other underlying factors which may also help to explain why night time seems to exacerbate asthma symptoms: ![]() Late phase asthmatic response is characterised by an increase in airway responsiveness, development of bronchial inflammation and a more prolonged period of airway obstruction. Hormone sections that follow a circadian pattern may also have a contributing affect.Īlthough it is obvious that the afore mentioned environmental triggers can provoke an attack, studies report that when allergen exposure occurs in the evening, the body is more susceptible to having a late phase response of grater severity than if occurred during the morning. In combination with increased airway resistance nocturnal asthma symptoms may result from or be exacerbated by decreased respiratory function during sleep. Throughout the night airway resistance increases regardless of whether you are asleep or not, although it is more predominant if you are asleep. It is thought that sleep itself or circadian rhythm has an influence on promoting these night time disturbances, leading to the term Nocturnal Asthma, although exactly how is not entirely clear. Often people with asthma can suffer from night time coughing and wheezing and have shortness of breath and chest tightness during the night which can highly disrupt sleep and lead to daytime tiredness and irritability. It is important for an individual to recognise what causes an asthma attack for them and take precautions to avoid exposure. All asthmatics should be aware of the most common triggers allergens (including mould), animal dander, strong odours, smoke, dust and dust mites, colds, flu and viruses, weather, exercise, reflux disease, foods, laughter and even particular medications. Whether it is the result of environmental or genetic factors, what triggers asthma can be extremely variable between people and age groups. Incidences of asthma are on the rise but exactly what causes asthma is still not entirely clear. Although asthma affects people of all ages, it often starts in childhood and is more common in children than adults. Symptoms of asthma occur when the upper airway becomes inflamed and constricts to make breathing difficult. The Wesley Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
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