I am a 53 year old caucasian male who was diagnosed with asthma about
two years ago. I never had any respiratory problems or allergies as a
child or in early adult hood.

My asthma is fairly well controlled with steroid inhaler four puffs a
day. I use my rescue inhaler about once a week. If I reduce the
steroid inhaler to two puffs a day I get more frequent attacks.

My asthma always seems to flare up at night when I am about to go to
bed. I find that I have difficulty getting air into my lungs as if I
am sucking air through a straw. Once I fall asleep I have no problems
waking up short of breath. It is always just before I go to sleep at
round 10 PM.

I am very active and don't find that the asthma is a problem when I am
engaged in physical activity. In fact I first became aware of my
asthma problem when I was reclining in a hammock at night during a
backpacking trip when I could not catch my breath. It was quite
frightening at the time.

My question is why do I get the attacks only at night and is there
someway I can figure out what triggers them?

Thanx in advance.

Richie