Common asthma symptoms, including shortness of breath and waking up in the middle of the night, may increase levels of stress and anxiety in teens, according to a recent study.
Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital found that anxiety levels were generally higher, overall, in young patients with asthma.
"Because these patients may be particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety, this information can be helpful to physicians as they counsel their patients about the importance of managing their asthma," said Dr. Cathryn Luria, a Henry Ford fellow and the study's lead author. "While we found a link between asthma symptoms and stress and anxiety, it's not clear which came first - the symptoms or the stress and anxiety. More study is needed to determine that."
During the study, researchers examined 38 asthma patients between the ages of 14-17 who found that their average scores for both anxiety and stress were higher than those in the general population.
Researchers specifically sought to evaluate associations in a more defined patient population that included adolescents. They collected data from well-child visits and a questionnaire completed by teens.
Findings revealed that waking up with symptoms, waking up in the middle of the night, shortness of breath and activity limitations were linked to increased stress levels in asthma patients. On the other hand, waking up with symptoms and waking up in the middle of the night were linked to increased anxiety levels.
Asthma is estimated to affect about 25.7 million people, including 7 million children ages 18 and under, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though the cause of asthma remains unknown, the majority of patients are able to control their symptoms with medication.
Asthma is a chronic condition that involves the lung's airways. The airways, also known as the bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs. However, in asthma patients, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, airways become inflamed and the muscles around the airways tighten when something triggers symptoms; this makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
The study is being presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's annual meeting, March 4-7.
