Asthma and Laughter
I know that there are a few posts on laughter as a trigger for asthma attacks, but wondering if any of you have had an attack so bad that you could not breathe? I have mild to moderate asthma, mostly allergic and exerberated by exercise. The couple of times I have been rushed to the doctor and put on oxygen, I was still able to breathe even with a tight chest etc. A couple of time now recently when I have been laughing hard at a friend being funny or just today watching a funny movie, my chest closed up momentarily and I could not breathe at all. The only other time I felt this way was when falling off a horse and getting winded. It is terrifying!! As soon as I am able to take a little breath I cough and cough, almost to the point that I nearly throw up. Only when I can get a little air in can I use my inhaler. Anyone else react like this, and what do you do immediately?
Yea, I’ve had the laughter into an asthma attack before. Most of the time if I calm down, the asthma calms down with it but usually have to use my inhaler when that happens.
Hi! Great question. Sorry you're going through this -- it really stinks to have a joyful moment brought to a halt with wheezing and choking. Been there.
We actually have several articles on laughter you'll likely relate to. Here's a link to our archives on the topic. Hope they're helpful for you.
https://asthma.net/search?s=laughter
Take care of yourself! -Melissa, asthma.net team
