Overcoming and preventing asthma due to stress

Asthma is a chronic disease that can be triggered by various things. One of the causes of asthma that may be underestimated by many people, but has a significant impact is stress. Not a few people with asthma find it difficult to control their thoughts and feelings of anxiety, so asthma symptoms appear. Actually, how can asthma relapse due to stress?

Why can asthma recur due to stress?

People with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, often experience certain anxiety. However, it is also important to distinguish whether the anxiety you feel is beneficial or actually interferes with your daily life.

Useful anxiety can motivate necessary action, such as taking steps to control chronic conditions. This kind of anxiety can make you anticipate all the bad things. However, excess anxiety can make the condition worse.

Continuous stress and you have trouble coping, can lead to various adverse effects on asthma sufferers, and some of them are:

• trouble sleeping
• body less fit due to lack of exercise
• difficulty concentrating
• easy to get angry
• stay away from friends and activities
• changes in appetite for depression

In addition, according to the Asthma UK website, people with asthma are more likely to react to allergens or asthma triggers such as dust or pets when stressed.

Asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing will also increase as stress levels increase. As asthma symptoms worsen, anxiety also increases. As a result, your health condition worsens.

In severe stress, anxiety can turn into a panic attack, with symptoms such as:

• hard to breathe
• feeling like being suffocated
• heart palpitations
• Shaky
• dizzy
• sweating
• heatstroke or cold sweat
• the feeling of wandering or like coming out of a collapse
• fear of death, go crazy or lose control

What are the ways to deal with asthma that occurs due to stress?

Here are tips to help manage and control asthma relapse due to stress:

1. Eat a healthy diet

The first way you can try to control asthma that occurs due to stress is to eat healthy and nutritious foods. It would be even better if you regularly eat foods recommended for asthma sufferers.

By adopting a special healthy asthma diet, asthma recurrence is easier to avoid and stress can be overcome. Make sure you cut back on sugar, caffeine, and excess alcohol, as these can actually increase stress levels.

2. Doing deep breathing techniques

Deep breathing techniques are another method you can try when experiencing stress-induced asthma symptoms. Try to take as many deep breaths as possible and watch your breath. When asthma symptoms start to develop as a result of panic or anxiety, breathe slowly and deeply through your nose.

By doing the breathing technique, your body will feel more relaxed and slowly released from physical and psychological stress, so you can prevent asthma from recurring.

3. Exercise regularly

Asthma attacks that arise due to stress can also be treated with physical activity, such as exercise. Asthma sufferers may indeed have physical limitations to exercise. However, this doesn't mean you can't exercise at all.

According to the American Lung Association, exercising several times a week or every day is needed for asthmatics to increase lung capacity and increase blood flow so that oxygen can spread throughout the body.

However, make sure you choose the type of exercise that is suitable for asthma. In addition, start with light intensity exercise. Warming up before exercising can also help improve your mood by relaxing tense muscles.

4. Get enough sleep

Asthma that recurs due to stress can also be affected by lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate the burden on your mind, and of course, affect your asthma symptoms.

For better sleep, you can do several things, such as:

• don't sleep until you feel tired
• set the same bedtime every day
• try to use the room only for sleeping
• do not exercise before bed
• avoid caffeine
• don't sleep during the day
• go to bed and wake up at the same time every day

5. Using drugs

It is no less important in managing asthma due to stress is to keep using the medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor. Recurrent asthma can not only be overcome by living a healthy lifestyle, but of course also with the appropriate medication.

There are various types of asthma medications that you can use, from inhaled drugs, oral medications, to injections. For the use of drugs that suit your condition, consult your doctor further.

6. Manage stress appropriately

Indeed, stress is a part of life and it is not easy to avoid it. However, recognizing the causes and knowing how to properly manage stress can help you to prevent stress from occurring next time.

Triggers or causes of stress can be many things, from financial problems, relationships, being chased by deadlines, to being too busy.

By identifying stress triggers individually and finding solutions, slowly but surely you will succeed in reducing the risk of recurrence of asthma due to excessive anxiety.

You can also try using positive sentences and thoughts, such as, "Relax, I'll be able to handle it."

7. Get help

If you have trouble dealing with your stressors, you may consider seeking help from a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Family and friends are willing to help you. Maintain relationships with the most important people who can help relieve stress and anxiety. Also try joining the asthma community to meet other people in similar situations and learn about their experiences.