Shortness of breath and wheezing at night

Wheezing is a musical or whistling sound caused by narrowed airways. Asthma symptoms may be triggered by dust, pets, cold air, reflux or an infection, and lying down can make mucus or reflux more noticeable. Acute bronchitis can cause temporary wheeze. COPD and bronchiectasis may produce recurring cough, phlegm and breathlessness. The timing, position, triggers and presence of cough help a clinician distinguish these patterns.

Sit upright when symptoms start and move away from smoke, perfume or other known triggers. Use your prescribed reliever inhaler according to your written plan, if you have one. Keep a note of bedtime, waking episodes, wheeze, cough, phlegm and possible exposures. Book a review if episodes recur, disturb sleep or require more medicine than usual; treatment may need checking rather than simply adding doses yourself.

Get emergency help if you are struggling to breathe, cannot speak normally, become drowsy or confused, faint, or develop blue or grey lips. Seek urgent assessment when wheezing is rapidly worsening, follows a new food or medicine, or comes with facial swelling or severe chest pain. Do not drive yourself if breathing is severely impaired.

Ask whether you need lung-function testing, an inhaler technique check, treatment for reflux or allergy, and a written plan for nighttime attacks.