Asthma-Attacken: Husten und Keuchen in der Nacht

URSACHEN FÜR NÄCHTLICHE ASTHMA-ATTACKEN

Die genauen Ursachen für die Attacken in der Nacht sind immer noch unbekannt. Allerdings wurden Erklärungen für das nächtliche Keuchen und Husten angestellt. Diese beziehen sich zum einen auf umgebungsbedingte Faktoren, wie eine erhöhte Belastung von Umweltverschmutzung oder häusliche Allergene. Zusätzlich kann nächtliches Asthma durch eine zurücklehnende Position, eine Kühlung der Atemwege oder durch Hormone hervorgerufen werden. Auch der Schlaf selbst kann zu Veränderungen in den bronchialen Funktionen führen.

Zurücklehnende Position In einer zurücklehnenden Position zu schlafen, kann Husten und Keuchen verursachen. Es kann auch das Blutvolumen in den Lungen und den Atemwegswiderstand erhöhen oder das Lungenvolumen verringern und zur vermehrten Ansammlung von Sekreten in den Atemwegen führen. Erhöhte Nebenhöhlenentzündung oder Schleim Ihre Atemwege neigen dazu sich im Schlaf zu verengen und Schleim in den geschwollenen Atemwegen zu produzieren. Dadurch kann Keuchen und Husten hervorgerufen werden, was wiederum zu noch engeren Atemwegen führt. Ein vermehrter Abfluss aus den Nebenhöhlen kann bei sehr sensiblen Atemwegen auch zu Asthma führen. Dies ist äußerst üblich.

Innere Auslöser Asthmasymptome können im Schlaf vorkommen, egal ob am Tag oder in der Nacht geschlafen wird. Jene Menschen, die nachts arbeiten, leiden vielleicht unter Atemattacken wenn sie tagsüber schlafen oder sich erholen. Viele Studien zeigen, dass Atemtests vier bis sechs Stunden nach dem Einschlafen schlechter ausfallen. Somit wird vermutet, dass es innere Auslöser gibt, die für schlafbezogenes Asthma verantwortlich sind.

Klimaanlage Mit der laufenden Klimaanlage zu schlafen oder nachts kühlere Luft einzuatmen, kann zu nächtlichen Krankheit führen. Ihre Atemwege verlieren wahrscheinlich an Wärme und umso kälter die Luft ist, umso trockener ist sie. Dadurch wird insbesondere Belastungsasthma und nächtliches Asthma ausgelöst.

Allergene Eine erhöhte Belastung von Umweltverschmutzung oder häuslichen Allergenen kann Asthma verursachen. Dazu gehören zum Beispiel die allergischen Substanzen von Haustieren oder Hausstaubmilben in Ihrem Schlaf- oder Wohnzimmer. Auch traditionelle Holzöfen und Rauchdämpfe von Kerosinheizungen können Asthma-Attacken zur Folge haben.

Gastroösophageale Refluxkrankheit Wenn Sie regelmäßig unter Sodbrennen leiden, kommt der Reflux der Magensäure durch die Speiseröhre hoch zum Kehlkopf. Dies stimuliert den Bronchialkrampf und verschlimmert sich wenn Sie sich hinlegen. Bestimmte Asthmamedikamente, die die Klappe zwischen Magen und Speiseröhre entspannen, können die Situation ebenfalls verschlimmern. In manchen Fällen reizt die Magensäure den unteren Bereich der Speiseröhre. Dies führt vielleicht zur Aktivierung des Vagusnervs, welcher Signale an die Bronchien sendet und vielleicht in einer Bronchienverengung resultiert. Die Behandlung von gastroösophagealer Refluxkrankheit und Asthma kann mit den richtigen Medikamenten auch das Keuchen und Husten in der Nacht beheben.

Verspätete Antwort Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Atemwegsobstruktion oder allergisches Asthma kurz nach dem Einwirken eines Allergens oder Asthma-Auslöser einsetzt, ist hoch. Akute Asthma-Attacken in der Nacht beruhigen sich innerhalb einer Stunde. Ungefähr 50% aller Menschen, die eine sofortige Reaktion erleiden, bekommen eine zweite Attacke. Die zweite Phase der Atemwegsobstruktion passiert drei bis acht Stunden nach dem Einwirken des Allergens. Dadurch wird diese Attacke auch verspätete Antwort genannt und durch eine Bronchienentzündung, eine erhöhte Atemwegssensibilität und eine verlängerte Atemwegsobstruktion charakterisiert. Studien beweisen, dass das Einwirken eines Allergens am Abend die Chancen auf eine verspätete Antwort erhöht und verschlimmert.

Hormone Die Hormonlevels in Ihrem Körper ändern sich mit dem circadianen Rhythmus. Adrenalin ist ein Hormon, welches die Muskelwände der Bronchien entspannt, sodass die Luftwege immer frei bleiben. Außerdem unterdrückt es die Ausschüttung anderer Subtanzen wie Histamin, welches Bronchospasmus und Schleimabsonderung auslöst. Der Adrenalinlevel ist um 4 Uhr in der Früh am niedrigsten währenddessen der Histaminlevel zu dieser Zeit den Höhepunkt erreicht. Dadurch verengen und entzünden sich die Bronchien, wodurch wiederum nächtliches Asthma ausgelöst wird.

Does Asthma Get Worse At Night?

The short answer is: yes, asthma usually worsens during sleep, and especially so during the night.

While the exact reasons are unknown, there are many possible reasons why asthma gets worse at night!

Why Does Asthma Get Worse At Night?

Here are the most likely culprits for asthma symptoms at night:

• Increased exposure to allergens
• Cooling of airways
• Sleeping in a reclining position
• Hormone secretions
• And even sleep itself

Toddler Asthma Cough At Night

Just as with adults, toddlers and children may also experience heavier asthma symptoms during the night.

That is because lying down can trigger a cough, and especially so if your toddler also has blocked sinuses.

In addition, hay fever is also often a cause. That is because of the post-nasal drip which may occur.

Post nasal drip is the mucus that drips from the back of your nose down to your throat.

Causes For Asthma Cough At Night

Sleeping In A Reclining Position

Doing so can increase the volume of blood in the lungs.

In addition, sleeping in a reclining position can increase airway resistance, the buildup of secretions in the airways and decrease lung your volume.

Increased Sinusitis or Mucus

Your airways tend to narrow down during sleep and build up mucus in the swollen airways.

This may trigger wheezing and coughing at night, which in turn may lead to your airways tightening up even more.

Additional drainage from your sinuses can also trigger asthma for those who have highly sensitive airways.

Internal Triggers

Asthma symptoms may occur regardless whether you sleep during the night or you are getting your z’s during the day.

People who work night shifts for example, may also experience breathing problems while they are asleep during the day.

Most research indicates that breathing is most difficult for us about 4 to 6 hours after we fall asleep.

It also suggests that there may be some internal triggers for sleep-related asthma.

This can include heavy emotions, such as intense anger, sadness, or even happiness.

Air Conditioning

Sleeping with the air conditioning on or breathing colder air at night can cause nighttime asthma.

Your airways may lose heat and the colder the air, the dryer the air will also be.

This triggers asthma - especially exercise-induced asthma and nocturnal asthma.

Allergens

Increased exposure to pollution or other indoor allergens can trigger asthma.

The most common culprits are pets or dust mites in your living or bedroom.

Also, if you have a traditional wood burning stove or a kerosene heater – beware!

Both are known to cause asthma attacks at night.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

If you frequently experience heartburn, then the reflux of your stomach acid tends to rise through the esophagus to your larynx.

This may stimulate a bronchial spasm, and it’s even worse when you’re lying down.

Certain medications for asthma which relax the valve between the stomach and the esophagus may also worsen the situation.

In some cases, the acid from the stomach may even irritate the lower esophagus.

In turn, the vagus nerve that sends signals to the bronchial tubes may be activated, resulting in bronchoconstriction.

The good news is: taking care of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and asthma with the right medications can often cure wheezing and coughing at night.

Late Asthmatic Response

The chances are high that airway obstruction or allergic asthma will occur shortly after being exposed to an allergen.

Generally speaking, an acute asthma attack at night should usually last no more than an hour.

However, there are two pieces to this puzzle!

Approximately 50% of people who get an immediate reaction to an allergen will have a second response to it within 3 to 8 hours.

It is also known as the late asthmatic response, characterized by the development of bronchial inflammation, an increase in airway responsiveness and a prolonged period of airway obstruction.

Researchers have shown that exposure to an allergen in the evening increases the chances of having a more severe late phase response than one during the day.

Hormones

The hormone levels in your body change according to your circadian rhythm.

Epinephrine is a hormone that keeps the bronchi muscles relaxed, so that the airways remain fully open.

It also suppresses the release of other substances like histamine, which can cause bronchospasm and mucus secretion.

The epinephrine levels are the lowest around 4 A.M., while the histamine levels tend to peak at the same time.

This results in the narrowing and inflammation of the bronchi, which explains nocturnal asthma during sleep.

In addition, estrogen is also known to be a possible trigger for asthma.

Allergens

Increased exposure to pollution or other indoor allergens can trigger asthma.

The most common culprits are pets or dust mites in your living or bedroom.

Also, if you have a traditional wood burning stove or a kerosene heater – beware!

Both are known to cause asthma attacks at night.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

If you frequently experience heartburn, then the reflux of your stomach acid tends to rise through the esophagus to your larynx.

This may stimulate a bronchial spasm, and it’s even worse when you’re lying down.

Certain medications for asthma which relax the valve between the stomach and the esophagus may also worsen the situation.

In some cases, the acid from the stomach may even irritate the lower esophagus.

In turn, the vagus nerve that sends signals to the bronchial tubes may be activated, resulting in bronchoconstriction.

The good news is: taking care of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and asthma with the right medications can often cure wheezing and coughing at night.

Late Asthmatic Response

The chances are high that airway obstruction or allergic asthma will occur shortly after being exposed to an allergen.

Generally speaking, an acute asthma attack at night should usually last no more than an hour.

However, there are two pieces to this puzzle!

Approximately 50% of people who get an immediate reaction to an allergen will have a second response to it within 3 to 8 hours.

It is also known as the late asthmatic response, characterized by the development of bronchial inflammation, an increase in airway responsiveness and a prolonged period of airway obstruction.

Researchers have shown that exposure to an allergen in the evening increases the chances of having a more severe late phase response than one during the day.

Hormones

The hormone levels in your body change according to your circadian rhythm.

Epinephrine is a hormone that keeps the bronchi muscles relaxed, so that the airways remain fully open.

It also suppresses the release of other substances like histamine, which can cause bronchospasm and mucus secretion.

The epinephrine levels are the lowest around 4 A.M., while the histamine levels tend to peak at the same time.

This results in the narrowing and inflammation of the bronchi, which explains nocturnal asthma during sleep.

In addition, estrogen is also known to be a possible trigger for asthma.

How To Stop An Asthma Cough At Night

Right off the bat: if you are having problems with your breathing – during the night or day – we highly urge you to visit your local doctor.

While there is no cure yet for asthma at night, there are some medications that can help control the symptoms.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that the better you take care of your asthma during the day, the better it will also be during the night.

Also, make sure to minimize all possible allergens in your bedroom.

As much as we all love to sleep with Mr. Whiskers, we might need to ask him to sleep in the living room from now on!

Here are some medications that you may encounter when looking to treat your asthma:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antihistamines
• Bronchodilators
• Corticosteroids
• Inhaled glucocorticoids
• Inhaled/oral B2 adrenergic agonists
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Steroids
• Theophylline

Home Remedies For Asthma Cough At Night

After you have visited the doctor, these tips below are home remedies which will help take control of your asthma.

• Keep your pets away from bedroom
• Install an air humidifier in your bedroom, especially during winter!
• Take your medicines on time so they continue to work throughout the night
• Look into hypoallergenic mattresses, toppers and pillows such as those with Vita Talalay latex inside.