Does Poor Quality Sleep Increase The Risk of Asthma?

Stating that new research has been published on the risk of developing chronic health problem asthma of poor-quality sleep, Asst. Prof. Dr. U. Seha Akduman: "In a study recently published in UK data at Shandong University, half a million people were monitored for ten years and reported an increased incidence of asthma in people with impaired sleep quality. In the light of this new information, it is recommended to diagnose and treat sleep disorders early in order to reduce the incidence of asthma."

A team from Shandong University in China used data from the UK Biobank to study half a million people with changing sleep patterns for 10 years. Experts have found that healthy sleep patterns are linked to a reduced risk of asthma, while poor sleep increases the likelihood of diagnosis.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman pointed out the importance and necessity of early diagnosis and early treatment of sleep diseases in order to reduce the incidence of asthma accompanied by this new information. Asthma, which is seen in one in every 10 adults in Turkey and has been increasing in recent years in both adults and children, is one of the most important chronic diseases. Yeditepe University Hospitals Chest Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman pointed out that many factors such as stress, obesity, increased exposure to chemical and environmental factors were effective in the emergence of this picture.

Sleep Apnea Can Cause Asthma Get Worse

Reminding that asthma, as in many chronic diseases, is known to be associated with different chronic diseases such as obesity and COPD, Dr. Seha Akduman: "Although the relationship of sleep apnea with many diseases and systems is known, recent studies have shown that it is a risk factor for asthma regardless of obesity, and it may trigger the incidence and exacerbations of asthma."

Untreated Asthma Causes Damage to Lung Functions

Describing that asthma is a chronic disease characterized by hypersensitivity in the respiratory tracks, Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman explained about the most important symptoms: "Hypersensitivity in the bronchus, that is, in the airways, causes narrowing of the airways as a result of the increase in inflammation, increased sputum production, and persistent cough. Coughs appear in the morning, in the form of stubborn attacks, sometimes with wheezing. The feeling that the breath taken is not enough, which is also described as shortness of breath, is also very common among patients. It causes serious loss of lung function in undiagnosed and untracked patients over the years. Asthma patients who smoke and remain untreated exhibit COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) characteristics."

Early Diagnosis is Important to Prevent the Vicious Cycle

Reminding that there are many risk factors such as genetic predisposition, obesity, having an allergic structure, exposure to occupational harmful particles in asthma, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman: "All systems in our body work by interacting with each other. In intertwined diseases such as obesity, asthma and sleep apnea, early diagnosis and treatment of patients with sleep problems is recommended to get out of
this vicious circle. "

However, it is important to reduce risk factors such as obesity, alcohol use, and polluted air inhalation, which are common risk factors for sleep disorders and asthma. Asst. Prof. Dr. Akduman continued as follows: "The prevalence of obesity is increasing all over the world and in our country. According to the World Health Organization, 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women in Turkey are obese. On average, 60 percent of obese people have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, which is also a serious public health problem, is known to cause health problems such as heart diseases and stroke. Obstructive sleep apnea is a risky disease that goes with respiratory stops during sleep and low oxygen levels. A healthy sleep pattern is 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night, no insomnia during the day, and no snoring or apnea. Patients who snore, who sleep with bounces while they are sleep deprived or who are said to stop breathing during sleep should be evaluated with sleep tests called polysomnography and treated if necessary."