Anxiety and asthma

[treyjeff]

Can severe anxiety + physical symptoms flare up my asthma/breathing problems? I find myself short of breath while walking and even sitting most of the time. Also have a very dry cough.

[Alun001]

Hi Treyjeff,

I would say yes. The anxiety state leads to shallow breathing, where we should breathe deeply. When we shallow breathe our blood gases get out of balance, affecting our mood, more negativey follows affecting breathing even more and the spiral continues to deepen.

Mind and body are inseparably linked. Breathe deeply. Read up on hyperventilation syndrome.

Caution. If your asthmatic never breathe into a paper bag for your anxiety. Asthmatics need oxygen in their lungs not carbon dioxide.

Peace!

[treyjeff in reply to Alun001]

I was also thinking that muscle tension due to all the 24/7 anxiety was to blame now that I think about it more