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Anxiety aggravates asthma attacks

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Page 1: Anxiety aggravates asthma attacks

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.

Page 2: Anxiety aggravates asthma attacks

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