Night Time Asthma Suffering is Very Common
According to National Asthma Council Australia over 2 million Australians have asthma, which is about 1 in 10 people. Of these, around 80% also have allergies like hay fever. Difficulty breathing is a common symptom for asthma sufferers and unfortunately, for many sufferers, they experience asthma worse at night. A recent sleep survey found that 45% of people said they have difficulty sleeping due to their asthma, at least once a week. A further 47% said they’d suffered an asthma attack at night, either when they were asleep or while trying to get to sleep. This is referred to as nocturnal asthma, which is the worsening of symptoms at night.
The correlation between asthma and sleep issues are quite high, people with asthma are 70% more likely to suffer from sleep apnea or other related sleeping issues, as they are more likely to experience sleep disruptions due to frequent night-time coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
But what a lot of people are unaware of is asthma triggers have a lot to do with the sleep environment, with the most common triggers being house dust mites, air and even your sleeping position. If you find yourself asking “why is my asthma worse at night”, read on for some easy to implement techniques that will improve your night time asthma.
Night Time Asthma Relief Tips
Adjust Room Temperature and Air Humidity
The temperature of the room, particularly the air you breathe, can worsen your asthma when too hot or too cold. The air should be cool, rather than cold, as cold air can be a trigger. But be careful when using air conditioning as it tends to dry out the air, which again is a trigger. A possible solution to this can be using a humidifier, as it prevents the air from becoming too dry and keeps moisture levels consistent, which helps soothe airways and allow for easier breathing.
Reduce Allergens Through Cleaning
According to National Asthma Council Australia, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergies and asthma in Australia due to the humid climate. One way to battle dust mites is to invest in bedding that uses materials which are anti-microbial and can be regularly washed at 55-60° Celsius. This will keep dust mites at bay, allow you to keep your bedding hygienic, and reduce your chances of experiencing asthma worse at night.
Find the Perfect Sleeping Position
When sleeping, everyone’s airways tighten due to histamine production and decreased lung functioning. This doesn’t necessarily become an issue for everyone, but people with asthma may then have trouble breathing, resulting in them experiencing the symptoms of their asthma worse at night. When sleeping on our backs, the added pressure on the chest and lungs can also make it harder to breathe. The longer you are in that position, the more postnasal drip and mucus tend to accumulate in your airways. A solution to this can be propping your head up slightly or sleeping on your side, as changing your sleep position can allow mucus to flow without causing coughing. The Wenaflex Electric Base allows you to slightly raise your head, which aids in opening upper airway passages and may help you to experience night time asthma relief.
Don’t Expect a Good Sleep on a Bad Mattress
A lot of research goes into making the Wenatex products that bring together the best available technology to keep your sleep environment hygienic. The wenaCel sensitive mattress is the only one of its kind that uses the highly effective Swiss Sanitized® technology along with Tencel powder and fibre. That has shown to be extremely effective in reducing allergens. We have heard firsthand from one of our customers Michael who has suffered from severe asthma since childhood just how much the Wenatex mattress has helped him. He’s falling asleep much quicker and is no longer waking every two hours through the night.” I haven’t been waking with any breathing difficulties since sleeping in my Wenatex bed and have been falling asleep within minutes. That’s made a big difference to my overall sleep”. Hear more about Michael’s story here.
Quick Night Time Asthma Relief Tips
Apart from taking prescribed asthma medications, here are some tips to decrease your asthma symptoms during the night:
- Having a clean bedroom
- Wash your bedding frequently
- Invest in mattress and pillows that are resistant to dust mites
- Don’t sleep with pets
- Invest in a humidifier
- Showering before going to bed to remove outdoor allergens, such as pollen.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated
By taking small steps to create a sleep environment free of asthma triggers, your asthma symptoms can become easier to manage.
Reduce Asthma Triggers and Sleep Better With Wenatex
If you’re fed up with laying awake in bed wondering “why is my asthma worse at night”, then a scientifically designed Wenatex sleep system could be the perfect solution. We stock a full sleeping solution that is specially tailored to assist asthma sufferers, including orthopaedic adjustable beds, our antimicrobial and antibacterial restful sleep mattress, as well as hypoallergenic quilts and premium pillows. If you want to learn more about maximising your sleep, get in touch with our team on 1300 858 139 or through our online contact form.
References
National Asthma Council, 2019, Asthma & Allergy, https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/brochures/asthma-allergy#hcy
