What is stress?

How does stress affect the lungs?

• Stress triggers the release of the hormone adrenaline during a stressful or life-threatening event. The release of adrenaline makes the heart beat faster and expands the air passages of the lungs to take up more oxygen.
• People with respiratory conditions find it challenging to cope with a stressful situation due to their existing breathing difficulties and the inability to breathe in more oxygen. This can increase the risk of flare-ups.
• Under stressful situations, it is common for people with healthy lungs to hyperventilate (breathing at an abnormally rapid rate) when panicking. But for people with COPD or other chronic lung conditions, hyperventilation can cause flare-ups.
• A stress response is found to trigger the release of molecules such as histamines and leukotrienes in the body. This causes narrowing of the airways causing breathing difficulty.
• Studies show that stress increases the risk of asthma attacks in children suffering from asthma. Though stress does not cause asthma, it is found to increase the body’s inflammatory response to asthma triggers. This in turn increases the duration, frequency, and severity of the symptoms.
• Stress stimulates the activity of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve plays an important role in respiration, and it connects to the airway smooth muscle. It affects respiration by contracting and narrowing the bronchi (large airways that lead from the windpipe to the lungs).
• People suffering from chronic lung diseases experience stress because of the disease itself. They are always worried and anxious about breathing difficulty or a trigger of another episode.

Tips to reduce stress

• Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can help relax muscles and relieve tension and emotional stress.
• Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress. Aerobic exercises and stretching are found to boost the production of chemicals in the brain that has positive effects on mood and help manage stress.
• Get enough sleep every night: Lack of sleep means less energy, and one may not be able to cope with stress. One should develop good sleeping habits to get enough sleep.
• Eat a well-balanced nutritious diet: One should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods that can increase stress. Include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains for stress relief.
• Reduce stressors: Identify the major causes of stress and try to resolve them. Also, avoid situations that can trigger stress. Spending time with family and friends and indulging in a favourite hobby can help combat stress.

Recommended Read: Health Tips to Manage Stress

Conclusion

Consult a Pulmonologist