Triggers
Stress is a major factor in the triggering of an asthma attack, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Stress often causes an elevated heart rate and increased breath rate, trembling, sweating and shortness of breath. Asthma attacks occur when the airways narrow due to tightening of the musculature around the lungs, and the cells lining the airway become swollen and produce excess mucus, which reduces the flow of oxygen and ability to breathe.
Learn to identify triggers that may initiate anxiety that leads to an asthma attack. For example, if you know that watching the nightly news triggers a major flood of stress or anxiety, determine to find ways to diffuse that stress. Don't watch the news, or limit your exposure to it. Seek help in conquering your fears. For many individuals, proactive action helps reduce the body's reaction to worry or stress.
Exposure is one method many psychologists use to deal with an individual's trigger points. For example, if you find riding in an elevator triggers anxiety, which in turn initiates an asthma attack, slowly and gradually expose yourself to that elevator. Stand inside the elevator while a friend or relative holds open the door. Then step out and walk away. Do this until you feel comfortable. Then allow yourself to get into the elevator with the door closed, but keep it on the ground floor. As you progress in your comfort level, ride the elevator up one floor at a time, and then get off and take the stairs down to the lobby. This approach can be used to deal with a large number of triggers that may lead to asthma attacks, including many phobias.
Muscle Spasms
Stress places a person's body under emotional and physical pressure. Muscles tighten and constrict, increasing pressure and tension on muscles surrounding the airways in the lungs. Vijai Sharma, Ph.D., of the Behavioral Medicine Center explains that the brain of a tense or worried individual sends nerve impulses throughout the body, in a precursor of the "fight or flight" response. These nerve impulses also serve to constrict the bronchial tubes that enable air to flow into the lungs.
Anxiety
Anxiety causes the release of peptides, higher levels of which are found in individuals diagnosed with asthma. The increase of peptides triggers a response in the airways, increasing mucus production, swelling and inflammation that causes narrowed airways. Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., offers several tips for reducing anxiety, some of which include staying busy: read, garden, exercise, do housework or run errands. He also suggests taking some form of action to deal with the anxiety. Talking to a friend in person or on the phone or the Internet often helps get your fears and anxieties or worries out in the open, where friends or family can help you deal with them. Engaging in exercise like yoga or walking also helps relieve stress. Exercise prompts the release of endorphines in the body, promoting a sensation of well-being and calm.
