If your child suffers from asthma, you may have noticed that their symptoms seem to worsen at night. Nighttime asthma is a common issue, affecting many children and adults who have asthma. It’s particularly frustrating for both parents and children, as it can lead to disrupted sleep and discomfort. But why does asthma get worse at night, and how can you help ease the symptoms and prevent attacks?
Nighttime asthma refers to the worsening of asthma symptoms during the night. For many people, asthma seems to be less bothersome during the day, only to intensify once the sun sets. This can lead to difficulty sleeping, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, making it a struggle for children to rest properly.
In this blog, we’ll explore why asthma symptoms tend to worsen at night, the common nighttime asthma symptoms, and effective treatments that can help stop asthma attacks at night. Understanding these triggers and knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference in helping your child breathe easy through the night.
Why Does Asthma Worsen at Night?
Several factors can contribute to why asthma symptoms get worse at night. While everyone’s asthma triggers are different, the following are some common reasons why asthma tends to flare up during the night:
1. Allergens in the Bedroom
Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen are common allergens that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. These allergens are often present in your child’s bedroom, especially in bedding, carpets, and stuffed toys. At night, your child may be exposed to these allergens for a prolonged period while lying in bed, making their asthma symptoms worse.
2. Cooling of the Air
At night, the air tends to cool down, which can trigger asthma symptoms, particularly for children who are sensitive to cold air. Breathing in cooler air can cause the airways to constrict, leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
3. Changes in Hormone Levels
Research suggests that the body’s natural hormone levels, such as cortisol, can fluctuate at night, affecting asthma symptoms. Cortisol is a hormone that helps reduce inflammation in the body. However, during the night, cortisol levels drop, which can result in increased inflammation in the airways and lead to worsened asthma symptoms.
4. Lying Down Increases Postnasal Drip
When your child lies down at night, the mucus in their nasal passages and sinuses can drain into the throat, causing postnasal drip. This can irritate the airways and trigger coughing and wheezing, especially in children with asthma.
5. Increased Sensitivity to Irritants
At night, your child’s body is more relaxed, and the airways may become more sensitive to irritants, such as smoke, pollution, and strong odors. These irritants can trigger asthma symptoms, especially if your child has underlying respiratory sensitivity.
Common Nighttime Asthma Symptoms
Nighttime asthma can present itself in several ways. Here are the most common symptoms that might signal an asthma attack during the night:
1. Coughing
A persistent nighttime cough is one of the most common symptoms of nighttime asthma. This often worsens while your child is lying down and may interfere with their sleep, causing them to wake up coughing.
2. Wheezing
Wheezing is the high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when your child breathes, especially when exhaling. This is another common symptom of nighttime asthma, as the airways become constricted due to inflammation.
3. Shortness of Breath
Asthma symptoms may cause difficulty breathing at night, leading to shortness of breath. Your child may feel like they can’t get enough air, which can be alarming and distressing.
4. Chest Tightness
Chest tightness is a common symptom that occurs when the airways become inflamed and narrow. Your child may describe feeling like there is a weight on their chest, making it harder to breathe.
5. Frequent Night Wakings
Children with nighttime asthma often wake up in the middle of the night due to their symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing. These nighttime awakenings can lead to sleep disruption, making it difficult for your child to get the rest they need.
How to Stop Asthma Attacks at Night
Managing nighttime asthma effectively requires a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and environmental modifications. Here are some practical steps you can take to help prevent asthma attacks at night and ensure your child sleeps soundly.
1. Keep the Bedroom Allergen-Free
To minimize allergens that can trigger asthma symptoms, try to keep your child’s bedroom as allergen-free as possible. Use hypoallergenic bedding and wash sheets and pillowcases frequently. Consider using allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows, and if possible, remove any pets from the bedroom.
Tip: Consider using a HEPA air purifier in your child’s room to help reduce airborne allergens like dust mites and pollen.
2. Control the Temperature and Humidity
Ensure your child’s bedroom is kept at a comfortable temperature, ideally between 18-20°C (65-68°F). If the air is too cold or too warm, it can trigger asthma symptoms. Additionally, dry air can irritate the airways, so using a humidifier in your child’s room can help maintain optimal humidity levels and prevent dryness in the airways.
Tip: Avoid using heavy blankets that can trap heat, as overheating during the night can also trigger asthma symptoms.
3. Keep the Air Clean
Avoid exposure to smoke, strong odors, and pollution in your child’s room. Smoking near your child or using strong perfumes, scented candles, or cleaning products with harsh chemicals can irritate their airways and worsen asthma symptoms.
Tip: Ensure your child’s room is well-ventilated, and avoid using strong-smelling products in the room before bedtime.
4. Encourage the Use of Medication
If your child has been prescribed asthma medication, ensure they take it as directed, especially before bedtime. Inhalers or other medications like corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks during the night.
Tip: If your child has a rescue inhaler, keep it within easy reach in case of an emergency, and ensure they know how to use it properly.
5. Elevate Your Child’s Head While Sleeping
Encouraging your child to sleep with their head elevated can help reduce postnasal drip and relieve congestion. This can help prevent coughing and wheezing during the night.
Tip: Use a wedge pillow or elevate the head of the bed slightly to promote better airflow.
6. Manage Triggers During the Day
Asthma triggers don’t just affect your child at night; they can also affect them during the day. Identifying and managing asthma triggers like allergens, exercise, and stress can help reduce the severity of nighttime asthma symptoms.
Tip: If exercise is a trigger, ensure your child uses their inhaler before physical activity and takes breaks as needed.
Best Treatments for Nighttime Asthma
Managing nighttime asthma effectively often requires both long-term control and quick-relief medications. Here are some of the best treatments for nighttime asthma:
1. Long-Term Control Medications
Medications like inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and long-acting beta-agonists are often prescribed to help manage asthma over the long term. These medications work by reducing inflammation in the airways, making it easier for your child to breathe and preventing asthma attacks from occurring.
2. Short-Term Relief Medications
Rescue inhalers, like albuterol, are used to provide quick relief during an asthma attack. These inhalers help open the airways quickly, allowing your child to breathe more easily. It’s important to always have a rescue inhaler on hand, especially at night.
3. Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
If allergens are a major trigger for your child’s asthma, allergy shots or immunotherapy may be an effective treatment. These shots gradually desensitize your child’s immune system to specific allergens, reducing asthma symptoms over time.
Conclusion
Nighttime asthma can be a challenging condition for both children and their parents, but with the right approach, it’s possible to manage and reduce symptoms. By understanding why asthma worsens at night and implementing strategies like controlling allergens, adjusting the bedroom environment, and using the right medications, you can help your child sleep more soundly and breathe easier.
If your child’s asthma symptoms persist or worsen, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. Dr. Mahesh Katre, Dubai’s trusted paediatrician and expert in managing asthma and allergies, can help create a personalized treatment plan to ensure your child’s asthma is well-controlled, allowing them to get the rest they need.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call +971 55 232 9107