STRESS, PANIC ATTACKS, AND ASTHMA

Asthma attacks have many triggers, including stress and anxiety. Panic attacks are severe episodes of anxiety that come on quickly. Stress can trigger a panic attack which can then trigger asthma. Likewise, the stress of an uncontrollable asthma attack can lead to a panic attack, and an asthma attack can also trigger a panic attack when you have been under severe stress. Like asthma attacks, panic attacks cause shortness of breath and wheezing, but they also cause some symptoms that are not associated with asthma, including hyperventilation, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating or chills, and increased heart rate. Since asthma attack symptoms can mirror panic attack symptoms, it’s important to get a diagnosis to help  distinguish between the two.

P.S. Anxiety about future asthma attacks can trigger an asthma attack and cause a panic attack at the same time.

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