CPAP Clinic Sleep Blog

Understanding your sleep health, sleep apnea and CPAP therapy

Sleep Apnea and Asthma

People who suffer from asthma may be more susceptible to obstructive sleep apnea.

If you have asthma, it’s important to consider your sleep patterns and to exclude (or confirm) the presence of this dangerous sleep disorder.

Sleep apnea tends to make asthma worse – that’s why getting a formal diagnosis is so important. This sleep disorder aggravates asthma by causing neuromechanical reflex bronchoconstriction, gastroesophageal reflux, and inflammation.

Sleep apnea also stresses the heart, and it may trigger weight gain. Chronic upper airway health issues are believed to be the reason why asthma sufferers are more prone to develop sleep apnea.

If you’ve been waking up with a headache and dealing with a lot of fatigue during the day, sleep apnea may be the cause, and it may actually be contributing to the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.

Symptoms to Watch for…

Many asthma sufferers snore and exhibit other common symptoms of sleep apnea (such as gasping during sleep, waking up frequently in the night to urinate, and distinctive “stop/start” patterns of breathing).

If you sleep alone, it may be hard for you to know if you’re snoring or gasping during the night; however, most people with sleep apnea will usually snore quite loudly, and friends and family will tend to be aware of this snoring, even if they haven’t actually mentioned it.

If no one’s remarked that you are a snorer, just ask someone who’s in a position to know. Tell him or her that you need to know in order to protect your health. Another option is to record yourself (video or audio) to see exactly how you act while sleeping, and which sounds you make during the night.

If you’ve determined that you do display the symptoms of sleep apnea, you must take the necessary steps to treat this serious sleep disorder. Luckily, there are some great ways to minimize or eliminate any symptoms that may be triggering exhaustion (while also contributing to your asthma problems).

How to Get Help

A qualified sleep specialist is the best person to help you treat your sleep apnea; this sort of expert knows exactly which CPAP machines and nasal pillows are most appropriate for asthma sufferers.

While the idea of wearing a mask during sleep may take some getting used to, today’s CPAP nasal masks are amazingly soft, supple, and comfortable to wear.

These masks (or nasal pillows) are designed to be attached to high-tech CPAP machines that regulate airflow while you sleep. Without CPAP machines and masks, your body can’t get the oxygen it needs during the night.

If you’re tired of dealing with daytime fatigue, morning headaches, mental fog, and other sleep apnea side effects that exacerbate your asthma, it’s time to take action.

Contact a trained sleep specialist to find out how you can enjoy deep and satisfying rest with the help of today’s best sleep apnea treatments.

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2 thoughts on “Sleep Apnea and Asthma”

  1. Pingback: Sleep Apnea and Asthma - www.cpapclinic.ca... #SleepApnea #Asthma - Asthma Treatment

  2. A big thank you for your expert advice. Yes, it is true that sometimes sleep apnea can become dangerous if left untreated. CPAP machines are highly recommended !!!

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