The sleep-related worsening of lower airways obstruction: understanding and intervention

The area of circadian rhythms and sleep altering lung function is relatively new to medicine. It is important to understand these changes to prevent complications from disease processes and to deliver the appropriate therapy over the entire day. This article focuses on the alterations during sleep in patients with lower airways obstruction. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are used as examples. Clinical and physiologic changes are discussed as well as treatment modalities.