WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA ATTACKS AND PANIC ATTACKS

Asthma attacks and panic attacks can have some very similar symptoms: shortness of breath and trouble breathing, and both can be triggered by stress. Some asthma patients wonder if they’re actually having a panic attack during an asthma attack and want to know how to tell the difference. Further, they may be concerned that the stress of an asthma attack could trigger a panic attack, or vice versa. Some key differences: the coughing and wheezing associated with asthma attacks does not occur with panic attacks, while panic attacks may cause symptoms like hyperventilation, lightheadedness, and sweating or chills, which are not associated with asthma attacks. Stress aside, common asthma triggers like allergens, environmental temperature, and exercise do not trigger panic attacks.

P.S. Asthma causes the chest to constrict, reducing oxygen flow and making it harder to breath. Panic attacks cause short, shallow breathing to increase oxygen in a fight-or-flight response.

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