05.12.2023
Essential Guide to Sleep Improvement for Asthma Sufferers
Introduction
Quality rest is essential for everyone, but when asthma symptoms escalate at night, it becomes even more critical to find effective sleep solutions. This guide provides key insights into achieving sleep improvement for those managing asthma, ensuring nights are both restful and restorative.
Understanding the Link Between Asthma and Sleep
Asthma that gets worse at night is called nocturnal asthma. Exploring the connection between asthma and sleep is vital in finding ways to alleviate nocturnal symptoms and promote better sleep health.
Environmental allergens, stress, hormonal factors, obesity, sinusitis, and more contribute to the worsening of asthma at night. People with nocturnal asthma develop symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, and coughing.
Asthma induced sleep deprivation can contribute to:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sleep-disordered breathing like sleep apnea
- Sleep-maintenance insomnia
Moreover, the cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.[1]
So, what are some holistic strategies for asthma management and sleep improvement?
Holistic Strategies for Asthma Management and Sleep Improvement
Keep Your Bedroom Clean
Pet dander, dust mites, and other indoor allergens can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. Clean your bedroom regularly to improve the indoor air quality and keep these factors out.
Wash Your Bed Covers and Blankets
Wash your bedding in hot water every week. The water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit so that it can kill dust mites and other allergens in your bedding.
Use Dust-Proof Pillow Covers and Mattress
Zippered pillow covers are tightly woven to keep allergens and dust mites out of your bed covers. Dust and allergens are more common during summertime you keep your windows open that allows the dust to enter your room.
Use an Humidifier
Cold air can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms at night. During winter, you can use a humidifier to increase your bedroom’s air quality. Dust mites usually develop in low humidity. By increasing humidity, you can keep the dust mites out of your room.
Avoid Sleeping with Pets
Pet dander can trigger asthma symptoms, so don’t sleep with pets. Make sure to close your bedroom door to keep your pet and their dander out.
Consider Your Sleeping Position
If you have acid reflux, cold or sinus infection, lying flat can trigger an asthma attack. You can sleep keeping your head propped slightly up with a pillow to avoid a night-time asthma attack.
Undergo Sleep Apnea Test
People with asthma may experience sleep apnea, which are frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can worsen asthma symptoms. Undergo a test to diagnose sleep apnea and take treatments if required.
Try salt therapy
Recently, growing numbers of people in the Netherlands are using salt therapy as a holistic way to reduce asthma symptoms and improve sleep. With salt therapy, microscopic salt crystals are inhaled into the lungs, where they clear and soothe your airways, reduce inflammation and improve sleep. Experience salt therapy via a commercial salt room, or use a bedside device, such as the Halo Plus Salt Therapy Device.
Professional Healthcare Advice
Personalized strategies are key in managing asthma and improving sleep. Regular consultations with healthcare providers can optimize your approach to asthma management during the night. Implementing these strategies can have a profound effect on sleep improvement for asthma sufferers.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized health recommendations.
