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Respiratory Infections, Sinusitis, and Nocturnal Asthma

Asthma can sometimes result from other medical conditions. While respiratory infections in adults have been linked to the onset of asthma, the same conditions in children can sometimes protect them against the development of the disease. Unfortunately, patients with asthma who develop respiratory infections often suffer more sever symptoms during the complicating infection.

Respiratory infections result from underlying viruses and bacteria that cause a large range of symptoms. Scientists are especially interested in the organisms Mycoplasma pneumoniae adenovirus and Chlamydia pneumoniae. According to a study of asthma in relation to these infections, individuals who became asthmatic as a result of respiratory infections suffered with the condition for an average of 5.6 years. Other patients, whose symptoms were not as severe, but had asthma prior to the respiratory infection, suffered with asthma for an average of 13.3 years.

Rhinovirus, another virus associated with respiratory infections, has been found to be the most common cause of infection associated with asthma attacks. Although this virus is the culprit of the common cold in otherwise healthy individuals, it can promote allergic inflammations and increase asthmatic responses in patients suffering from asthma.

Regardless of the cause, researchers have found that any respiratory infection exacerbates asthmatic symptoms and can result in the onset of asthma in previously healthy individuals.

Sinusitis and Asthma

Although almost half of individuals suffering from allergy-induced asthma have abnormalities in their sinuses, only 17% to 30% have sinusitis. The presence of sinusitis, however, does not seem to have an effect on the severity of asthma.

Nocturnal Asthma

About 75% of asthma patients suffer from asthma symptoms between the hours of 2 and 4 am. Some scientists place this kind of asthma in it’s own category, believing it to be a unique form of the medical condition. This type of asthma, called nocturnal asthma, is often triggered by a series of environmental factors. Some of these triggers include:

  • Delayed allergic reactions resulting from exposure to specific allergens earlier in the day
  • Variations in temperature in the environment or body that can result in inflammation
  • Postnasal drip or excess mucus
  • Heartburn or acid reflux that can cause an inflammatory response in the air passages
  • A decrease in the amount of medication in the body as the night progresses
  • Sleep disorders or conditions that can result in decreased air flow such as sleep apnea.