Is there any link between asthma and snoring?
Snoring has been identified as a cause or symptom of numerous health conditions, including asthma. This very common medical condition impacts a lot of children and adults in New Zealand, so it’s important to understand the link between asthma and snoring.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the lungs and a chronic health condition that often begins in childhood. It can affect people of all ages. Some people experience symptoms only intermittently, while for others it is a daily struggle.
In a person with asthma, the muscles surrounding the airways in the lungs constrict in response to certain triggers; the airways tighten and partially close, causing irritation, inflammation, and swelling of the lining of the airways as well as increased mucous secretion. It becomes difficult to get air into the lungs and even more difficult to breathe it out, with shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and fatigue being common symptoms. Some people will also cough up phlegm.
According to the Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ and Asthma New Zealand:
- 10.3% of New Zealanders have been diagnosed with asthma; it’s more prevalent in children under age 5, with females more affected than males.
- More than 615,000 New Zealanders (1 in 8 people) take regular medication for asthma. 1 in 7 children in NZ is on prescribed asthma medication.
- Asthma is among the most common reasons for childhood hospital admission in NZ, and it causes 360,000 missed school days every year.
- Asthma costs the NZ economy $1.2 Billion every year.
- Asthma is fatal for almost 100 people in NZ every year.
Asthma Triggers
Scientists believe asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is more common in developed, English-speaking nations, which suggests an association with “modern Western living”.
Known associations include:
- Genetics (a parent or grandparent has/had asthma)
- Viral respiratory infections (e.g. common cold, bronchitis, sinusitis, influenza, COVID-19)
- Inhaled triggers can include allergens (e.g. pollen, pet dander, mould), air pollution, tobacco smoke or vape fumes, chemical irritants (e.g. insect spray), and strong odours (e.g. perfume)
- Smoke from open fires and bushfires
- Thunderstorms
- Certain medications which include aspirin, NSAIDs (ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, some cardiac issues, and chronic migraine headaches)
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy
- Stress
- Food sensitivities
- Cold air
- Exercise/exertion
- Obesity
Medical researchers have also identified a direct link between asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). GORD is often seen in people with asthma, and acid reflux can trigger asthma attacks. Acid reflux and GORD can also cause snoring.
Asthma Attack – What is It?
An asthma attack is a sudden, severe flare-up of asthma symptoms which can be a medical emergency. An “attack” occurs when muscles surrounding the airways drastically tighten up, become swollen and irritated, and excess mucous is produced in response. Extreme chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing occur and it can be extremely difficult to get enough air into (and out of) the lungs. This is an incredibly distressing experience that requires urgent treatment with prescription medicines kept on hand and/or emergency medical care.
Snoring & Asthma
For a lot of people, asthma symptoms are worse at night.
This is because:
Snoring inhibits sleep ->
Sleep deprivation causes increased inflammation in the body ->
Inflammation worsens asthma ->
Lung function is compromised by asthma ->
An asthma attack is more likely if you snore.
Snoring is the sound made by the vibration of soft tissues of the upper airways (nose, mouth, throat) when they become narrowed or blocked during sleep. Since asthma causes narrowing or obstruction of the lower airways, breathing when you both have asthma and snore as well becomes even more challenging. Left untreated, this can be very dangerous.
This is particularly serious in people who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People who have asthma are statistically much more likely to develop OSA, especially if it’s not managed well, they are overweight, or have GORD.
OSA is characterised by moderate to severe snoring, severely disrupted sleep, snorting or gasping for air during sleep, low oxygen saturation in the body, and daytime fatigue. OSA makes asthma symptoms worse and increases the likelihood of having an asthma attack.
Sleep Better and Live Healthier with Asthma
If you have asthma:
- Take all prescribed asthma medications as directed and keep them with you at all times – including in your home, car, pocket, handbag, school bag, workplace, etc.
- Try to maintain a healthy body weight and BMI within the “normal” range. If you are overweight or obese, see your doctor for advice to help you lose weight.
- Exercise regularly – even a short walk helps.
- Quit smoking and/or vaping and avoid drinking alcohol, especially in excess or close to bedtime. Try not to use sedatives.
- Maintain a healthy diet favouring whole grains, healthy fats and proteins, and drink plenty of water. (Drinking enough water helps to thin mucous in the body).
- Be careful with perfumed products as they can trigger allergies and asthma – this includes deodorants, personal fragrances, scented candles, essential oil diffusers, and air fresheners.
- Reduce allergens in your home, especially in your bedroom. This may mean keeping pets off your bed or using an air purifier.
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule and practice sleep hygiene.
- Try to sleep on your side, as sleeping on the back promotes snoring. Sleeping on the left side is ideal, as this position minimises acid reflux.
- If you have been diagnosed with GORD, speak with your doctor to make sure it is being treated properly.
- Discuss your snoring with your doctor so you can make sure you don’t have obstructive sleep apnea. This serious medical condition requires effective, targeted treatment which usually includes the use of CPAP or a sleep apnea mouthgard.
Improve Your Health & Well-being: Use ApneaRx Snoring Treatment in Australia
Preventing snoring as much as possible is crucial; even more so if you have asthma, as treating snoring effectively may help reduce inflammation. Treating asthma properly likely also helps improve snoring. One of the best snoring cures available is ApneaRx – it is budget-friendly, safe, and convenient for adults who snore to help minimise or even stop snoring for a better quality of sleep.
The NZ brand of a revolutionary snoring mouthpiece used worldwide, ApneaRx works by gently positioning the lower jaw forward by 1mm increments (up to 10mm), which opens the airways of the mouth and throat sufficiently to prevent the vibrations of the upper airways that cause snoring. This helps to optimise breathing, improving the body’s access to oxygen and enabling better sleep. Also an effective sleep apnea treatment in NZ, ApneaRx has been clinically tested to treat symptoms associated with mild to moderate sleep apnea. See how ApneaRx works and buy yours now.
