Is it anxiety or asthma?
This is a common question I have been asked over the years, "I'm having a hard time breathing, how do I know if it's asthma or anxiety?" Anxiety and stress are known asthma triggers. If you have ever had an asthma attack, you know how it can be scary and stressful it can be. You can't breathe, so you have anxiety - and the anxiety can make an asthma attack worse, and.....around and around we go. It can be like asking "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Symptoms of anxiety from Mayo Clinic: Breathing fast (hyperventilating) Increased heart rate Feeling tired or weak Feeling tense, restless, or nervous Trembling Trouble sleeping There are more symptoms listed on their website Some of these CAN sound like asthma.... Symptoms of an asthma attack from Mayo Clinic: Short of breath Wheezing when you exhale (remember: some of us don't wheeze!) Chest pain or chest tightness Coughing or wheezing that get worse when you are sick with