Asthma vs. Panic Attack – What’s the Difference?
It can be challenging to differentiate between an asthma attack and a panic attack because both often present similar symptoms. Both can cause shortness of breath and chest tightness, but in addition to these, panic attacks have a whole slew of other symptoms you may not be aware of.
Knowing the difference is important if this happens to you or to someone around you.
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Asthma Attack |
Panic Attack |
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Onset |
- Sudden onset - Can last from minutes to days (also depends on the response to appropriate asthma medication) |
- Sudden onset - Reaches its peak level of intensity within 10 minutes & then begins to subside
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Symtoms |
- Chest tightness - Shortness of breath - Wheezing - Cough
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- Chest tightness or pain - Shortness of breath - Flushing/sweating - Trembling - Racing Heart - Stomach Pain/Nausea - Lightheaded-ness - Numbness/tingling of hands & feet - Could also bring on feelings that suggest a sense of impending doom or fears of dying
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Triggers
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- Environmental / allergen triggers (such as smoke, pollution, dust, or mold) - Exercise - Stress
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- Stress or anxiety
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How do I manage an asthma attack?
An asthma attack can be treated by quick-relief medication such as a fast-acting or rescue inhaler. It is important to see your doctor if you find yourself constantly wheezing or needing to use a rescue inhaler more than a few times per week.
How do I manage a panic attack?
Often, controlled breathing and/ or deep belly breaths can help. Medications are also available to help control anxiety attacks – speak to your doctor if you think this might be right for you.
Prevention is possible through exercise, proper sleep, and by taking time for relaxation activities and techniques. It is also helpful to seek out the appropriate mental health support, which could include speaking with a trusted therapist or counsellor.
With stress and anxiety on the rise, it is possible to be asthmatic and experience anxiety attacks at the same time. Tracking your symptoms and noting them down can help your doctor support you in identifying what is going on and direct you to appropriate treatment(s).
References:
1. NHLBI. (2020, December 3). Asthma. National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma
2. NIHM. (2021, April 5). Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml
3. American Lung Association. (2020, March 16). Manage Stress to Keep Asthma in Control. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/manage-stress
4. Boudreau, M., Lavoie, K. L., Cartier, A., Trutshnigg, B., Morizio, A., Lemière, C., & Bacon, S. L. (2015). Do asthma patients with panic disorder really have worse asthma? A comparison of physiological and psychological responses to a methacholine challenge. Respiratory medicine, 109(10), 1250–1256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2015.09.002