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Anxiety Aggravates Asthma Attacks Losing a job suddenly is possibly the biggest setback a youth might face. Having just gone through a
layoff, and facing job interviews one after another would probably be the most difficult phase of the
person’s life. To stabilize himself or herself financially the person takes up too much of stress, which
might trigger attacks of shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing in the person.
So, is there a link between asthma and anxiety? Fighting through the odds, anxiety and asthma do
have a complicated relationship that can cause serious issues in one’s life. Asthma is a distressing –
and probably dangerous too – condition caused by obstruction of the airway due to inflammation. On
the other hand, anxiety is a mental health condition that causes worries and stress along with physical
symptoms that can cause further anxiety. It’s a situation in which two equally distressing conditions
coexist in the body and the mind.
Anxiety can worsen asthma
Although the
relation between
the two disorders
is unknown, there
is evidence that
show anxiety can
worsen the
symptoms of
asthma. There are
reports based on
studies that cite
the following
reasons to make it
understand if
anxiety induces
asthma or vice
versa:
Hyperventilation: With changes in breathing habits due to anxiety, studies have shown
hyperventilation associated with fast short breaths. This may unintentionally provoke an
asthma attack.
Inflammation: Asthma is nothing but inflammation of airways. Stress is involved in causing
inflammation. There may not be a direct link, but it's possible that stress makes it harder to
control inflammation when asthma symptoms are acting up.
General physiological changes: Anxiety releases an excess of histamine hormone that may lead
to asthma attack. Stress also weakens the immune system that makes your body more
vulnerable to viruses and external asthma triggers.
Muscle constriction: Muscle constriction can lead to tighter chest and other issues that may
trigger asthma.
Senior medical officer at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Peter Gergen says:
“Although stress won’t prompt a new case of asthma, it may worsen the disease in people who already
have it... During periods of stress and anxiety, asthma attacks occur more frequently, and asthma
control is more difficult.”
Coping with anxiety during an asthma attack
Asthma is stressful, as patients or people around them do not know when or where they will have
another attack. We can just take some steps to reduce stress that may lessen the number of asthma
attacks.
You may have to struggle through the situation when asthma leads to an anxiety attack that can then
escalate to panic. Having an action plan in place at all the times is a must. Although a typical asthma
attack may subside in 5-10 minutes, you need to wait and see if the condition worsens or improves.
Here is how to know when to seek experts’ help:
Identify the biggest causes of stress in your life.
Delegate responsibilities at home and work; do not stress yourself to the extent that it holds
on to your health.
You can put yourself in a routine exercise that beats the effects of stress.
Sleeping solves a lot of problems eventually calming your senses and beating the stress.
Learn yoga and ward off the negative feelings that may stress you.
If you want to live your life without limits or fear, start controlling the trigger points. Strong emotions
associated with a small situation can be a trigger point for asthma, such as an action-packed movie or
an argument with a close friend. Life can be a roller coaster of emotions, so the best thing to do is –
always be prepared with a plan or call for help.
The Anxiety Treatment Centers of California is available at your service 24/7. Anxiety treatment centers
in California cater to patients of all ages, prioritizing the welfare of each and every one. Our
representatives will help connect you with the best anxiety clinics in California that offer cutting edge
treatment plans, designed to specifically serve individualized needs. If you or a loved one is struggling,
call us right away at 855-972-9459.
www.anxietytreatmentcentersofcalifornia.com