How Can Asthmatics Control An Anxiety Attack During These Times

Asthma is one of the major non-communicable diseases and can affect people of all ages. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, an estimated 358 million people around the globe suffer from asthma. India itself has around 37.9 million asthmatics.

Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs. During an attack, the muscles outside the airways tighten, thus narrowing the passage of air in and out of the lungs. In addition, the linings of the airways passage become inflamed and swollen, which further restricts breathing. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. The muscle contraction causing chest tightening as the airways reacts to certain substances, known as irritants or allergens and become inflamed making breathing difficult. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightening, difficulty in breathing, difficulty in performing daily activities, etc.

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Both adults and children suffering from asthma are at risk of suffering from anxiety. Anxiety is 1.5 to 2.4 times more common in people with asthma than in people without asthma. Anxiety in asthmatics might be due to the following reasons:

• Anxiety-related to the long term medical treatment
• Anxiety-related to the chronic nature of the disease

Strong emotions like, depression, anger, fear and anxiety may be associated with poor asthma control. Anxiety, related to asthma triggers can reduce the asthmatic’s quality of life, and concerns related to long term medical treatment might affect compliance to treatment.

Asthmatics also need to prevent other viral respiratory infections and thus take preventive measures against it. It is possible for an asthmatic to experience anxiety if he or she comes across any threat of other viral respiratory infections. Here are some ways to control anxiety:

If an Asthmatic is anxious he/she must follow these steps:

• Write down all the symptoms of anxiety that are being experienced.
• Inform and discuss how he/she feels about asthma, its symptoms and its triggers so that the doctor knows the condition well.
• Talk to the doctor and clear the doubts, the asthmatic must not be afraid to confess about his or anxiety.
• Routinely follow the medication prescribed by the doctor.
• Make sure the asthma management plan is up to date, because if one feels that asthma is well managed he or she may not feel anxious and shall worry less.
• It is necessary to make the immediate family and relatives aware of what to do during an asthma attack. Being prepared will decrease the level of anxiety.
• Check the inhaler technique and consult about the same to the doctor.
•  Avoid food that is high in sugar and caffeine because it can increase feelings of anxiety.
• Be active and do simple exercises that will ease that anxiety.
• Yoga and meditation might help to ease anxiety.
• Try breathing exercises for asthma that can help to control panic/anxiety.
• Consider making lifestyle modifications like exercises, healthy diet, and weight loss.
•  Alcohol, smoking, and other drug cessation/management needs to be done

Anxiety is one of the most common health conditions affecting the well being of an asthmatic. One can follow the given steps to control anxiety, but if a person isn’t sure if the symptoms experienced are of an anxiety attack or symptoms of asthma are getting worse he/she must immediately consult the doctor. Neglecting this doubt may prove to be life-threatening if not addressed sooner because if symptoms of asthma are getting worse it can also be an indicator of an impending attack.