Sleep, Respiratory Physiology, and Nocturnal asthma

The nocturnal worsening of asthma is a common feature of this disease that recently has received extensive investigation. Most recent efforts have focused on the role of circadian biorhythms that could promote a nocturnal increase in airway inflammation, leading to a subsequent increase in airflow o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chronobiology international 1999-01, Vol.16 (5), p.565-580
Main Author: Ballard, Robert D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway Resistance
Asthma - etiology
Asthma - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Volume
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Circadian Rhythm
Humans
Lung volume
Lung Volume Measurements
Medical sciences
Nocturnal asthma
Pneumology
Pulmonary Circulation
Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
Sleep
Sleep - physiology
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology
Snoring - physiopathology
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Summary:The nocturnal worsening of asthma is a common feature of this disease that recently has received extensive investigation. Most recent efforts have focused on the role of circadian biorhythms that could promote a nocturnal increase in airway inflammation, leading to a subsequent increase in airflow obstruction and asthma symptoms. However, definitive studies remain lacking. As discussed in this review, there is also substantial evidence that sleep itself may play a direct role in the nocturnal worsening of asthma. Potential mechanisms for such a sleep-related effect could include the supine posture, alterations in sympathetic and parasympathetic "balance," sleep-associated reductions in lung volume, intrapulmonary pooling of blood, and sleep-associated upper airway narrowing, both with and without snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These potential contributors to this troublesome phenomenon deserve further consideration when investigating mechanisms of nocturnal asthma.
ISSN:0742-0528
1525-6073
DOI:10.3109/07420529908998729