Emotional stress and polluted air are a dangerous combination for people with respiratory pathologies

To the health risks faced by flood-affected populations, such as infections and respiratory pathologies, which can be caused by both poor air quality and contact with dirt and contaminated water, we must add emotional reaction typical of such tragedies, it plays against your well-being.

The pain of loss (especially human, but also material), the state of shock, suffering, despair activates physiological responses to stress that can trigger or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD.

This is explained by Francisco J. Roig, a pulmonologist at His Majesty’s Hospital Monteprincipe in Madrid: “During a stressful situation, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system in response to a perceived threat, which triggers the fight or flight response. This reaction triggers the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These neurotransmitters. increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate,

and although these responses are adaptive in the short term, they may be problematic in patients with respiratory disease.”

The specialist emphasizes that people with respiratory diseases Stress can cause bronchoconstriction, narrowing the airways and making it difficult for air to flow through. “This reaction increases the risk of an asthma attack or worsening respiratory symptoms, especially if the person is in an environment with additional triggers such as dust, mold or dirt.

Additionally, there is strong scientific evidence that high cortisol levels can lead to deregulate the immune system, increased risk of respiratory infections. “Under stress, the immune system can be weakened, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections. People with chronic respiratory diseases are particularly susceptible to these infections,” emphasizes Roig.

Lack of access to chronic medications

To this critical context we must add problems with access to medical services and medicines which these people regularly use, e.g. inhalers”,which causes anxiety and makes it difficult to manage your condition. In addition, “lack of adherence to treatment, even temporary, can lead to exacerbation of respiratory symptoms,” explains the specialist.

In addition, people under severe stress often feel unable to manage your health, what is known as low self-efficacy. “This phenomenon is common in natural disasters where control over the environment is severely limited.”

On the other hand, Roig recalls that “physical exertion under stress can cause symptoms chest pain and difficulty breathing, which can be confused with respiratory exacerbations. This creates an additional psychological impact and increases risk of hyperventilation or psychogenic symptoms.

Recommendations for chronic patients

For this reason, the specialist provides some recommendations to prevent the situation of vulnerable people from getting worse, for example by offering them psychosocial support

cope with stress or the fact that there is collaboration of pulmonologists, psychologists and social workers offer them the best possible social and medical care. “Pulmonologists can identify risk factors and offer specific medical recommendations, while psychologists can work on coping techniques to reduce anxiety. Social workers, for their part, can help ensure access to medications and coordinate attention to these vulnerable people,” he explains.