Many patients with asthma experience nocturnal symptoms at some time in their lives and most experience them on a regular basis. In a large survey of 7729 patients with asthma,<sup>58 Turner-Warwick M. Epidemiology of nocturnal asthma Am J Med 1988 ;  85 : 6-8  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> 74% reported experiencing nocturnal cough and wheeze at least once a week. In recent years, much has been written on nocturnal asthma.<sup>3 Ballard R.D., Saathoff M.C., Patel D.K. , e al. Effect of sleep on nocturnal bronchoconstriction and ventilatory patterns in asthmatics J Appl Physiol 1989 ;  67 : 243-249

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 22 Douglas N.J. Nocturnal asthma QJM 1989 ;  71 : 279-289

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 34 Martin R.J. Nocturnal asthma Clin Chest Med 1992 ;  13 : 533-550

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 35 Martin R.J. Nocturnal asthma Ann Allergy 1994 ;  72 : 5-10

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The most studied causes and contributing factors to exacerbations of asthma at night include circadian changes in ventilation, airway responsiveness and inflammation, mucociliary clearance, ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia, and hormone levels. This article reviews the normal physiologic changes that affect the lung during sleep and how those changes may contribute to nocturnal asthma.