--- title: "Asthma and Stress Correlation | Sutter Health" description: "I have had asthma since childhood. As an adult, I find that when I'm really stressed or anxious, my asthma gets worse. Is there a correlation? Also how can I tell the difference between an asthma attack and an anxiety attack?" url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/asthma-stress-correlation-1051061452" --- 1. Home / 2. Asthma and Stress Correlation # Asthma and Stress Correlation * * * Medically reviewed by - Ronald L. Brown, M.D. ## Question I have had asthma since childhood. As an adult, I find that when I'm really stressed or anxious, my asthma gets worse. Is there a correlation? Also how can I tell the difference between an asthma attack and an anxiety attack? ## Answer Stress and anxiety can either trigger asthma or mimic it. With asthma, there would tend to be some wheezing, cough or chest tightness. Also, asthma would respond to Albuterol but anxiety would not. If it is asthma, there are a lot of controller medications that can help keep it under control. There are also several medical and behavioral options for treating anxiety/stress that your primary provider could help you with. ## Explore related topics Breathing and allergiesAnxiety ## Related questions View all questions - Health Q&A ### Allergies Plus Shortness of Breath? I struggle with seasonal allergies and take Claritin, plus use a neti pot. This season, I have also had shortness of breath and light coughing, but no wheezing. It's hard to do my usual workouts. Is there some kind of inhaler I can use? - Health Q&A ### Are Allergies and Asthma Inherited? Are some allergies and asthma inherited? My sister and I seem to be allergic to the same foods and pollens. Also do children ever outgrow these conditions? - Health Q&A ### Allergy Treatment I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. 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With asthma, there would tend to be some wheezing, cough or chest tightness. Also, asthma would respond to Albuterol but anxiety would not. If it is asthma, there are a lot of controller medications that can help keep it under control. There are also several medical and behavioral options for treating anxiety/stress that your primary provider could help you with.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/asthma-stress-correlation-1051061452","author":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/asthma-stress-correlation-1051061452#expert"}}},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/asthma-stress-correlation-1051061452#expert"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/asthma-stress-correlation-1051061452#expert","name":"Ronald L. Brown","honorificSuffix":"M.D."} ```