Wheezing and finding it hard to breathe at night

Wheezing is a musical or whistling sound caused by air moving through narrowed airways. Night symptoms can occur with asthma, a chest infection such as acute bronchitis, allergic rhinitis with drainage, or COPD. Anaphylaxis can also cause sudden wheezing, especially with swelling, hives, vomiting, or throat tightness. In a young child, bronchiolitis is another possibility. The symptom alone cannot identify the cause.

Notice whether the sound is mainly when breathing out, whether it wakes you, and whether you also have cough, fever, chest tightness, blocked nose, or exposure to smoke, dust, pets, or a new medicine.

Sit upright and loosen tight clothing. Move away from smoke, strong scents, dust, or a suspected allergen, and take calm, steady breaths. If a clinician has prescribed a reliever inhaler or another breathing plan, follow those instructions exactly; do not use someone else’s medicine. Keep track of when symptoms began and what preceded them. A clinician may listen to your chest and decide whether inhaled treatment, such as nebuliser treatment, is appropriate.

Seek emergency help immediately if breathing is severe or rapidly worsening, you cannot speak in full sentences, your lips or face look blue or grey, you feel faint or confused, or your throat or tongue is swelling. Sudden wheezing after food, a sting, or medicine is also urgent. Arrange prompt medical assessment if nighttime episodes recur, disturb sleep, follow a respiratory infection, or are not settling with your prescribed plan.

Ask what is narrowing your airways, whether you need breathing tests, which warning signs matter for you, and how to use your prescribed inhaler correctly. Mention smoking or vaping, allergies, recent infections, and every medicine or supplement you take.