What Is Nocturnal Asthma?

Nocturnal asthma, also called sleep-related asthma, can happen at any hour during sleep, but symptoms worsen at night. Nocturnal asthma occurs in up to 75 percent of people with asthma.

Some possible reasons include biological changes that occur at night, such as temperature changes in the body, low circulation of adrenal gland hormones or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Medicines taken during the day that wear off, postnasal drip while sleeping or other sleep conditions may also trigger symptoms.

What’s most troubling about nocturnal asthma is that it is often not reported to providers. If you do not tell your provider that you are having symptoms at night, your provider may think your condition is under control, and you may not get the treatment you need.

Do you wake up wheezing, coughing or with trouble breathing? Even if you feel great during the day, take note of any nighttime troubles and share them with your provider.