What symptom is considered a sign of worsening asthma control?

Nighttime symptoms are a significant indicator of worsening asthma control. Patients with well-controlled asthma typically do not experience symptoms during the night and can maintain normal sleep patterns without respiratory interruptions. The presence of nighttime symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing, can suggest that asthma is not well managed, possibly due to inadequate medication, exposure to triggers, or worsening underlying inflammation.

In the context of asthma management, symptoms during the day, like wheezing or shortness of breath, can indicate control issues but may not reflect the overall severity of the condition as well as nocturnal symptoms do. These nighttime manifestations can directly affect a patient's quality of life and indicate a need for reassessment of asthma management strategies. Monitoring for nighttime symptoms can thus guide clinicians in optimizing treatment plans to achieve better long-term control of the disease.