Daily stress and anxiety and their relation to daily fluctuations of symptoms in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients

Implications of Psychosocial Factors as Precipitant of Asthma Attack Among a Sample of Asthmatics

“…Although the other factors did not show a significant association, the presence of a combination of these factors as precipitants of asthma attacks resulted in a higher occurrence of psychopathology. Overall, the findings in this study agree with that of Goreczny et al (37), who reported that asthmatic symptoms were related to the number and perceived impact of daily stressful events.…”

Stress‐induced asthma: a review of research and potential mechanisms

“…The overall findings from the 1970s were inconclusive. As Goreczny and coworkers [ 35] concluded: ‘To date, no study has satisfactorily measured the changes in asthma severity as they relate to acute changes in stress and anxiety. Thus, a temporal relation between stress/anxiety and asthma symptoms has never been demonstrated’ (p. 262).…”

“…The respiratory pattern changes during emotional arousal. It is possible that deep or fast breathing of relatively cold or dry air triggers airways obstruction in patients with asthma, as documented from physical exercise, hyperventilation, or forced breathing for lung‐function testing [ 34–60]. Increases in respiratory rate and depth of breath are common during anxiety and fear, whereas anxious anticipation is associated with increased respiratory rate and shallow breathing without pauses [ 61].…”

Aerobic fitness and leisure physical activity as moderators of the stress-illness relation

“…The researchers concluded that hassles may be more salient due to their proximal nature. Additionally, daily stress has been found to be associated with symptom severity in asthmatic and COPD patients (Goreczny, Brantley, Buss, & Waters, 1988). Significant differences in symptoms such as amount of coughing, amount of wheezing, activity restriction, and interference with daily routine were found between high and low stress days.…”