If you begin to notice the symptoms of asthma during the day you reach for your inhaler to open your airways. But what happens at night when you sleep?
Many asthmatics continue to struggle to breathe and, without the use of their medication, it can lead to sleep-related problems.
Researchers from University of Michigan Health System now believe investigating your sleep patterns can help doctors prescribe the best possible treatment for your asthma.
A study into the link between sleep-related breathing disorders and asthma showed that out of 115 patients, many in the most severe stages of asthma, a large percentage were at risk of sleep apnea – a condition in which people stop breathing during sleep.
It also found that sleep apnea was related to the severity of a person’s asthma.
While 33 percent of men and 49 percent of women studied said they were aware they showed signs of sleep apnea, a further 31 percent said a family member had noticed pauses in their breathing while they slept. Other conditions were also noted including snoring, with 38 per cent saying they regularly snored.
In addition 55 percent of people also said they experienced excessive daytime sleepiness, previously thought to be as a result of the asthma. The research suggests it may be the symptoms of apnea which are causing the sleepiness.
The findings have led researchers to suggest doctors consider sleep apnea and other disorders as an aggravating condition for asthma sufferers. They believe that looking at sleep patterns will help doctors address asthma earlier and get the condition under control a lot quicker.
They also hope that looking at the link between sleep apnea and asthma could result in better night time sleep and alertness during the day for those suffering from asthma.
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