HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Wheezing At Night?

Posted on Fri, 9 May 2014

Question: I suddenly started having shortness of breath every night when I go to sleep. I can hear a little wheezing. Sometimes it happens during the day. I don't know if it is asthma or hyperventilation. I get this about twice a year, for a few weeks at a time. Benadryl helps but makes me very tired the next day. Melatonin helped before, but not tonight. Can I take the melatonin with benadryl, and how can I get this to stop? Also, what do you think this is? I am otherwise healthy, on synthroid, and I take daily aspirin. I am wondering if I have a hormone imbalance as I have recently gone through menopause. I walk for exercise.

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer: you may try inhalers Detailed Answer: Hi, Seasonal development of symptoms of wheezing twice or thrice a year is a symptom of allergic airways disease. Breathlessness usually accompany this along with some cough. If you do not respond to those drugs you are using, you will respond to bronchodilator inhalers. These can be used as and when required , easy to use and carry and can be stopped once you are free from symptoms. Leaving them unattended may invite future complications. You may consult a physician and ask for inhalers which should be of great help. Also it is important to keep away from all possible allergens like house dust, smoke, cockroaches , pets etc. Also, asprin is known to cause broncospasm and may be responsible for episodes of cough when other allergen triggers it. So you may try alternatives to asprin ,but that will be done only by your doctor at his own discretion after weighing risks and benefits. Benadryl will only treat the allergy but will not give instantaneous relief which will be given by inhalers. Hope I am clear enough. All the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (11 hours later)

I am allergic to sulfites, so there are very few inhalers I can use, as they contain sulfites. Currently, I have been prescribed Atrovent, (Ipratropium Bromide), which apparently does not contain sulfites. Would you recommend this one, or is there something better? I am afraid of dependency on inhalers. I especially do not want one containing cortisone, as this weakens the immune system in the long run. I am not sure if Atrovent contains cortisone. I hope not!

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: go for Atrovent inhaler Detailed Answer: Hi, Here are some clarifications. Not all inhalers contain sulfites. Ipratropium is anti cholenergic drug which may help you, but it will not address the allergic component-You are just treating the symptom, not the cause. "Dependency" is a wrong concept when it comes to inhalers. you call it dependency, i call it 'Treatment'. As i already told you, compromise in tackling the disease in early stages can lead to worsening of the disease, at which time, even these inhalers may turn ineffective. Steroid inhalers are wonderful drugs, little absorbed into blood and has minimal complications even on long term use. Unfortunately, there are many wrong concepts regarding their use (as you seem to have!!) and the benefits of using them clearly outweighs their risks in many cases. The cause of allergy is un required immune mediated action by LOCAL (respiratory) immune cells and hence they must be partially suppressed to gain clinical benefits. At those doses and less than 20% absorption, they do not cause much systemic immune drop. So i recommend you to at least go for Atrovent inhaler (not a steroid), try for some time and see the response. Hope i am clear enough.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (48 hours later)

Every morning I have an acute allergic reaction right as I rise from bed. My family doctor said it is likely a vagal reaction to a colder room temperature than under the blankets, and change of position that triggers it. I sneeze, then my nose runs, and I cough with chest mucus. It is over in 15 mins. and completely resolves. What can I do when still in bed to stop this reaction from occuring? I don't want to take an antihistamine for something that resolves in 15 minutes. Day time antihistamines give me heart palpitations, and I can't take benadryl during the day, as it makes me too tired. Would a saline nasal spray help? I know this is not good for my bronchials.

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: seems to be an allergic reaction Detailed Answer: Hi, It clearly seems to be an allergic reaction to something that associates you while in bed, like bed rolls, blankets, pillows or even the warmer or humidifier or AC (whatever you are using). The options are 1. changing the suspects (mentioned above) one by one and observing the difference. 2. A bed time anti histaminic drug (taken at 7 pm) would definitely help. 3. A bed time steroid nasal spray.(certainly helps) 4. tio inhalation at bed time may be tried (may help, not sure). saline nasal sprays are not going to be of any help. Hope i am clear.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar