Allergy & Asthma Center of SW Washington

Emotions

While research has not medically shown the link between chronic illness and emotions, asthmatics can tell you that powerful emotions can trigger symptoms. While anger, anxiety, hysteria, and stress are not the cause of asthma, they can contribute to fatigue and hyperventilation or rapid breathing. It may be that the tension placed on the respiratory system as a result of emotional reactions may trigger bronchospasm and inflammation.

What we are sure about is that asthma is a chronic disease. As with all chronic diseases, we must work to keep our minds and bodies healthy. While it is impossible to totally eliminate emotional stress from your life, you can learn to diminish their effect with some basic stress management techniques:

• Be aware of the things, events, and people that add stress to your life and work to reduce their impact.
• Find constructive ways to reduce anger, anxiety, and fear.
• If you can, remove yourself from stressful situations.
• Learn to prioritize and say "no" when necessary.
• Reduce noise and clutter from your work and home environments.
• Exercise is a great way to let off steam. If exercise-induced asthma is a problem, follow your Asthma Action Plan.
• Get help. You don't have to work through changes on your own. Friends, family, organizations, support groups, and therapy can make handling emotional issues much easier.
• Take time to enjoy the good things in your life -- every day.