In diagnosing nocturnal asthma, a physician will conduct a physical examination and obtain a full medical history. Particular attention is likely to be focused on when and how frequently symptoms occur. These details can give a physician important insight into how best to treat an individual case of asthma.

If the patient has not previously been diagnosed with asthma, a series of other tests are likely to be performed to confirm the asthma diagnosis.

Once a physician has a clear understanding of the symptoms and when they most often strike, time–release or long–lasting medications (e.g., long acting beta agonists) can be prescribed. Such medications can ensure that a drug’s treatment power is peaking just when the patient is likely to need it most.

Some individuals may successfully treat nocturnal asthma by treating related conditions that are exacerbating the asthma condition. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis can cause nocturnal asthma symptoms to worsen. Independently treating these conditions often improves nocturnal asthma symptoms.