Asthma affects your wellbeing with chest tightening, wheezing and coughing, so is it any wonder that many asthma sufferers have trouble sleeping at night? As an added wellness bonus, asthma and allergies often go hand-in-hand, and a new study published in Internal Medicine has found that 44% of people with allergies report waking up fatigued, despite getting a normal night’s sleep.
Dr Jonathan Horbal, DO, fellow of allergy immunology at University Hospitals in Cleveland says that if you’re losing sleep, you should blame your breathing. When your nose is congests, your body is getting less oxygen, which leads to a restless night’s sleep. However, Dr Horbal has provided three simple changes that you can make to send your allergies packing tonight, and get your full forty winks.
Firstly, at the risk of sounding like your mother, pick up those clothes off your floor! Dr Horbal explained that pollen is your number one seasonal allergy threat, and it just so happens that this seasonal irritant loves to cling to your clothes. Instead of dumping your clothes on the floor or on your bed, or even putting them away for another day’s wear, you should throw them in the laundry basket as soon as you strip off for bed.
Also, take a long hard look at your bookcase. Sure, everyone loves the smell of an old book, but if mould has you sneezing and sniffling, your much-loved classics could be to blame. Dr Horbal advised that ditching your old books for eBooks, or at least keeping your dusty bookcase out of your bedroom, can help you to have a more restful night. While we’re eliminating dust, try freezing your pillow! Your favourite pillow is loaded with dust mites, but Dr Horbal said that a 12-hour dip in the freezer every 1 to 2 weeks will kill the mites – and keep them from coming back.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) it is estimated that 75 to 85% of asthmatics have an allergy. If you believe you have either condition, you should consult a board-certified allergist, because they are the best-trained health professionals for performing testing and for treating both asthma and allergic diseases effectively. Contact your doctor or look online for more information.
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