Can asthma make you dizzy?

Asthma is no laughing matter. But what if we told you that it could somehow manage to mess with your sense of balance? You read that right. Asthma and dizziness have a relationship, and we’re here to break down the details for you. Strap in for an informative yet amusing ride.

Getting Dizzy With It

It’s possible to feel like the room is spinning when experiencing asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. This feeling warrants the term ‘dizziness,’ a state where one may feel unsteady and off-balance.

DID YOU KNOW: The scientific term for dizziness is vertigo derived from Latin word vertere which means ‘to turn’. So, vertigo quite literally translates into “a turning around”.

While environmental allergens can cause these symptoms on their own, sometimes they also affect blood pressure levels leading to dizziness due to compromised airflow[i].

This disturbance can lead to syncope (fainting) too!, especially among those suffering from severe asthmatic conditions. Respiratory distress causes decreased oxygen supply in different organs including brain tissue which activates oxygen starvation mode causing fainting[ii].

So yes, unfortunately asthma can indeed occasionally induce episodes of dizziness— not exactly music-to-the-ears news! However there are some tips and tricks we’d suggest putting into practice so that this situation stays under control.

Why Does It Happen?

You might be wondering: what really happens between respiratory distress caused by asthma and possibly resulting disruptions in equilibrium? Medical research suggests multiple mechanisms that contribute towards “Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction” where heart rate variability & Blood Pressure regulation gets affected[iii][iv].Here’s a peek at some indoor reasons why:

1.Dehydration
2.Changes In Vagus Nerve Function
3.Hypercapnea (Increased levels of Co2)
4.Hypoxemia (Shortage of Oxygen due to obstruction in Airways)

So yes, there are a number of physiological reasons why asthma might cause unexpected vertigo-like symptoms.

How Do I Avoid It?

Now that we’ve established that mild dizzying is within the realm of possibility with asthma, let’s go over what can be done to reduce its likelihood. Here are some handy tips and tricks:

  1. Stay Well-Hydrated
    When you’re dehydrated your body starts underperforming leading towards the creation of a bottleneck for optimal functioning — and this extends even up to dizziness via decreased blood flow rates! Drinking plenty water keeps temperature regulated: cooler keeps Asthma aggravated[v] along with preventing any dehydration induced germs lurking around so get chugging!

  2. Get That Immunization
    Any respiratory infections which lead towards Bronchitis or Pneumonia work as catalysts aiding Asthma attacks. To cut down on these factors, we recommend getting vaccinated against them[vi].

3.Slow Down
Breathing hard results in unintentionally exhaling extra carbon dioxide than regular breathing rhythm ultimately putting one’s level lower than desired limits driving toward hypoxic conditions[vii]. Engaging in less strenuous activities can help avoid episodes to an extent.

4.Inhalers For The Rescue!
Undoubtedly the most frustrating part about having condition like asthama is how limited you may feel during an attack at doing any physical activity whatsoever but inhalers allow control too.[viii],[ix]

In Conclusion…

As much as it may seem unpleasant—it’s important that those experiencing Asthmatic symptoms keep their balance and prevent further complications such as fainting from happening by keeping hydrated, vaccinated while being conscious about correct breathing rhythm.That way when the urge strikes to twirl around upon regaining breath—It won’t disturb your stability!

[i] Kaminsky DA, Irvin CG (2000) “What and where is the chest?” Pp. 1–19 in Pulmonary Function Testing: A Practical Approach, edited by JD Crapo, GD Jensen ,AMZeballos; Iowa City
[ii] Kelly JG (1993) Respiratory considerations in anaesthesia — Part II: Management of pre-existing disease. Irish Journal of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care,23(1),16–21
[iii]Noseworthy PA et al.“Can cardiac autonomic function be assessed by quantifying repolarization variability?”Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology
[iv]Shan X et al.“Changes in heart rate variability in patients with bronchial asthma during asthmatic attack and remission phase”J Zhejiang Univ Sci B.
[v]5 Foods That Can Trigger Asthma Symptoms
[vi]CDC’s guide to pneumococcal vaccination for adults between the ages of 65 and over or those at high risk due to medical conditions like asthma
[vii]“Hypoxemia During Exercise”
[viii]“Regular preventer treatment halve hospital admission rates among adult asthmatics”
[ix]”Optimal use of inhalers”inhalers functioning”](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7118570/)

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