title: [Nocturnal asthma].
abstract: Nocturnal asthma is one of the difficult form of asthma. It is associated with significant decline in pulmonary function and increase of airway inflammation at night. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the nocturnal aggravation of asthma are intricate. The most important seem to be: nocturnal environmental allergens, exacerbation of airflows and circadian variations of bronchial hyperreactivity, beta adrenergic receptors polymorphism, increased vagal tone. Home PEF monitoring will allow an objective assessment of nocturnal asthma. The physician-patient partnership is important in educating the patient to manage nocturnal episodes. The chrono-therapeutic approach will usually include inhaled or oral corticosteroids with the addition of theophylline, long-acting beta agonists with timing of therapy to give adequate effect during the night.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatoriul Spitalului Clinic de Pneumologie Iaşi, Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi Facultatea de Medicină.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grigoraş
authors.forename: Tr
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mihăescu
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002909:Chronobiology Phenomena; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D013806:Theophylline