Insomnia Prevalent in Patients With Asthma, Finds Study

Insomnia or inability to sleep is highly prevalent in asthmatic patients, finds new research.

Highlights

Asthma a chronic respiratory condition results in inflamed or swollen airways.
Asthmatic patients report difficulty with sleep
Adults with asthma who have insomnia disorder may be at a higher risk for adverse outcomes

Insomnia is highly prevalent in asthmatic patients and is linked to worse asthma control.

Patients with asthma report difficulty with sleep; however the prevalence of insomnia and its relationship with asthma burden and quality of life is unknown.

Insomnia Symptom Evaluation
Insomnia may be due to physiological, psychological, physical or environmental factors. Insomnia should be treated promptly in order to improve the quality of life and prevent other health problems.

‘Adults with insomnia have worse asthma control and asthma-specific quality of life and higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.’

Recent research work examined the impact of insomnia on asthma control and asthma-related healthcare utilization.

The research findings report the following

Insomnia was present in 37% of the study participants with asthma
People with insomnia had a higher body mass index, worse lung function and lower annual household income when compared with people without insomnia
Insomnia reported frequent asthma-related healthcare use in the past 1 year when compared with those without insomnia.

"Our results show that poor sleep may not be solely due to nighttime awakenings due to asthma symptoms but may represent comorbid insomnia," said lead author Faith Luyster, PhD, "and that comorbid insomnia can significantly impact asthma outcomes including quality of life and healthcare utilization."

“Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between insomnia and asthma control. Prospective and interventional studies, such as implementing cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia, are recommended moving forward”, said researchers.

Asthma - Facts and Statistics

Asthma a chronic lung disease inflames and narrows the airways leading to difficulty in breathing
Asthma is a non-communicable disease
Asthma affects 300 million people globally
Every year about 250,000 people die of asthma prematurely around the world.
80% of asthma deaths occur in low-income countries
All asthma deaths are preventable
14% of children have asthma

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Stick to a sleep schedule
Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual
Regular physical activity
Limit intake of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol at night

References

Faith S. Luyster et al. Association Between Insomnia and Asthma Burden in the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) III; CHEST; (2016) DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.09.020
Healthy Sleep Tips - (https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-tools-tips/healthy-sleep-tips)
How to Sleep Better - (http://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/how-to-sleep-better.htm)

Source-Medindia