Asthma and Sleep

Asthma is a condition in which a person's bronchial tubes become swollen. The bronchial tubes are the body's airways and allow air to move into and out of the lungs. As the airways swell, they lead to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Swollen airways are also more sensitive to allergens and irritants. When asthma symptoms are worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack, episode, or flare-up.

It's estimated that asthma affects 1 out of 12 people in the United States, and unfortunately, the prevalence of asthma appears to be increasing. Over the past 40 years, the global prevalence of asthma has increased 50% every decade. While researchers don't know why this increase is occurring, many researchers speculate that changes in hygiene practices, the use of certain medications in children, increasing rates of obesity, and vitamin D deficiencies may be to blame.

Whether it's due to the symptoms of asthma or just staying up too late, missing sleep can make asthma worse. Sleep loss promotes inflammation in the body5and affects lung function, increasing the chances of an asthma attack.

A recent study found that people who get fewer than six hours of sleep experience 1.5 times more asthma attacks and have a poorer health-related quality of life than those who sleep the recommended 7 to 9 hours each night. Poor sleep in people with asthma may also be related to the presence of other health conditions, including sleep disorders, and the stimulating effects of asthma medications.

The symptoms of asthma can flare up or get worse at night. Nighttime asthma, called nocturnal asthma, is an experience that can wreak havoc on a person's sleep and may be a sign of more severe or poorly-controlled asthma.

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To read more information about asthma and sleep by The Sleep Foundation, visit https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-related-breathing-disorders/asthma-and-sleep.