{"id":626514,"date":"2024-01-31T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626514"},"modified":"2025-01-22T18:19:21","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T23:19:21","slug":"asthma-cough-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/asthma-cough-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is asthma worse at night?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting a good night\u2019s sleep is vital to staying healthy, both physically and mentally. But, that can be hard if you\u2019re up all night coughing and wheezing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNocturnal asthma\u201d is when you experience <\/span>a flare-up of asthma symptoms<\/span><\/a> overnight. It can lead to a loss of crucial shuteye and exacerbate daytime asthma. Much like daytime asthma, common symptoms of nocturnal asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. However, after a night of triggered symptoms (and lack of sleep), you may experience adverse effects, such as trouble focusing, excessive daytime sleepiness, and additional asthma issues and symptoms.
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It\u2019s not fully understood why asthma symptoms worsen at night, but there are ways to prevent nighttime asthma and stop that pesky cough in its tracks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is my asthma worse at night?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although asthma can occur at any time of the day, many experience issues with asthma flare-ups at night. Despite the lack of understanding around the condition, experts have identified several potential <\/span>nocturnal asthma causes<\/span><\/a>. Here, we discuss six things that could be keeping you up coughing all night.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Sleeping position<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you fall asleep, your muscles relax, making your airways narrow and increasing resistance in your lungs. On top of that, \u201clying down can cause more mucus to pool in your airways,\u201d which can trigger coughing for people with asthma, explains <\/span>Paul Daidone, MD,<\/span><\/a> internist and medical director at True Self Recovery in Rogers, Arkansas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Allergen exposure<\/span><\/h3>\n

Throughout the day, your <\/span>exposure to allergens<\/span><\/a> builds up\u2014one potential reason people with asthma start to feel worse as the evening stretches on. Depending on your asthma triggers, you may be having a <\/span>late-phase allergic reaction<\/span><\/a>, or one that peaks six to nine hours after your initial exposure. Alternatively, your bedroom or sleeping environment may contain allergens that cause asthma attacks at night, such as dust mites, pet dander, or other irritants.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Room temperature<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cold air irritates the airways<\/span><\/a>, so sleeping with the air conditioning on or a window open can lead to difficulty breathing. Cold air also tends to be dryer, which can make bronchial tubes constrict even more\u2014a common trigger for people with <\/span>exercise-induced asthma<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Hormonal changes\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hormone secretion changes throughout the day with your <\/span>circadian rhythm<\/span><\/a>. Epinephrine, the hormone that relaxes the muscles in the bronchial tubes, decreases at around 4 a.m. This may lead to the closing of your airways, or bronchospasms, and mucus secretion. \u201cHormones that are secreted in a circadian pattern that can contribute to nocturnal airway inflammation and asthma include cortisol and melatonin,\u201d says <\/span>Raj Dasgupta, MD<\/span><\/a>, a pulmonologist and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Acid reflux<\/span><\/h3>\n

Gastroesophageal reflux disease<\/span><\/a> is a condition where stomach acid enters the esophagus and causes symptoms like a burning feeling in your throat, gas, and chest discomfort. This condition <\/span>often overlaps with asthma<\/span><\/a> and worsens at night when your body\u2019s horizontal position makes it easier for stomach acid to flow upward. Excess acid can trigger bronchial spasms in people with asthma.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Poorly controlled daytime asthma<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your asthma symptoms are not well-managed by medications or lifestyle changes during the day, you\u2019ll likely experience the same or worsening symptoms at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk factors for nighttime asthma<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to these potential causes, several risk factors make someone more likely to experience nocturnal asthma symptoms. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n