Asthma is often triggered by environmental factors such as dust, air pollution, pollen, and mold. It is a respiratory condition that may develop early in life due to genetics, or later in life due to an illness.
Asthma itself is characterized by an inflammation of the lungs. At the same time, the airways, or bronchial tubes constrict. Other external factors may lead to airway inflammation, including stress.
How Stress Triggers Asthma
A person's stress level may contribute to airway inflammation. Stress can trigger a flare-up of preexisting asthma. Stress can cause you to become short of breath, thus leading to other asthmatic symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Various forms of stress can contribute to stress-related asthma, as it depends on a person's own tolerance and personality. Asthma symptoms may be caused from stress at work, home, or in a relationship.
Who is at Risk?
Asthma is likely to occur in individuals who are under regular stress and who are predisposed to asthma. If a person does not already have asthma, they are unlikely to experience stress-induced asthma symptoms. This can sometimes be confused with wheezing related to anxiety from stress.
A regularly anxious individual with asthma may, however, suffer from stress-related asthma symptoms more often than other asthmatics. This is due to the fact that such an individual is more sensitive to everyday stress.
Time.com reports that children are also more likely to develop asthma when their parents are under constant stress. This stressful environment, accompanied with other asthma triggers such as genes and allergies, can lead to asthma. However, stress does not necessarily mean that it will lead to the development of asthma in children. Still, stress can have other repercussions on children. Therefore it is vital that parents attempt to keep their children away from stressful situations.
Symptoms
Symptoms of stress-related asthma include anxiety, breathing difficulties, and wheezing. This can also cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. However, symptoms of anxiety do not indicate that a person has asthma.
It is vital that all asthmatics keep a rescue inhaler on hand at all times, especially if triggers like stress are the cause of the onset of sudden symptoms. An asthmatic can keep their inhaler in their briefcase, purse, or even a desk drawer at work.
Stress management is the key to help keep stress-induced asthma at bay, explains the Cleveland Clinic. Asthmatics who are regularly exposed to stressful situations must be especially mindful. Anyone can help relieve daily stress by getting adequate sleep, eating right, exercising, and findings ways to relax on a regular basis.
Kristeen Mandak - Kristeen is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where she studied Communication and Marketing. She also has field experience in ...
