Nocturnal asthma and sudden death

Asthmatics may develop a considerable increase in airways obstruction during the night or early hours of the morning. In most patients, this causes only mild symptoms. In others, the effects may be severe, resulting in sudden death. Greater awareness of the potential severity of nocturnal asthma, together with actual measurement of airways obstruction at the time of symptoms, might prevent some of these catastrophes. If patients are not getting relief with their regular therapy, they should be admitted to the hospital for organized management.