The relationship between asthma and mind has long been debated; in fact, it is very easy to observe this association in everyday life; the most obvious thing is the link between a nervous state and an asthma attack; however, what science has discovered so far is not yet clear.
The question is: Is there a real relationship between asthma and the mind, or is it an unfounded myth?
- Just a few decades ago it was thought that the influence of emotions on asthma was speculation.
- However.
- With the advancement of science.
- This bond is now undeniable.
Science defines asthma as a complex syndrome, characterized primarily by inflammation and airway obstruction.
In addition, it is the most common chronic disease in children and it is estimated that at least 60% of people with asthma are children.
Triggers currently include psychological factors. The relationship between asthma and the mind is undeniable.
“Breathing is a fragile vessel that takes us from birth to death. “F. Leboyer-
Dr. Zofel Marx and his colleagues conducted an asthma patient study to determine whether emotions had an influence on the disease. His research aimed to compare the emotions of healthy patients and with asthma to determine if there was a difference.
In the end, it was concluded that asthma patients had more hostile attitudes, more feelings of helplessness, and more expressions of sadness than healthy patients.
To verify this information, both groups were exposed to various stimuli and their reaction was observed, however, the observed emotional difficulties could be an effect of asthma and not its cause.
These results have been corroborated by other studies, up to 50% of people with asthma have depressive symptoms, as well as those who have these symptoms, or manifestations of anxiety, have more frequent seizures and go to the doctor more often.
On the other hand, the use of antidepressants leads to a decrease in asthma symptoms.
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison established that there is a clear link between asthma and mind. The research developed has allowed us to conclude that asthmatic processes are associated with two areas of the brain closely related to emotions: the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula.
Professor Richard Davidson, Director of Research, used MRI images to highlight this fact, starting from a group of six volunteers, all with asthma. Several substances were administered that aggravated the disease.
During the analysis of the volunteers’ brains, it was observed that the stimuli activated the anterior cingulate cortex and the insulator, the two regions are strongly related to emotions.
The research was published, but was not considered conclusive because the number of participants studied was small.
Science has been able to link asthma to the mind, what is not yet known is the scope of this link or the exact mechanisms that regulate it.
What is known is that psychological factors are decisive in the course of this disease, a state of depression or anxiety aggravates the onset of asthma.
Dr. Antonio Cano Vindel, from the Complutense University of Madrid, says anxiety affects asthma in two ways:
Therefore, there is a relationship between asthma and mind. In this case, as in other diseases, we cannot separate the organism from what happens in the brain. Once again we return to the maxim that to have a healthy body, the mind must also be healthy, and vice versa.