Is my asthma purely caused by my increase in weight?

Hi again, - nice to see you re-engaging with the community after a bit of an absence. I do recall we have had several conversations with you over the months since you joined back in November of last year. It's good to be speaking with you again!
In my experience treating patients with asthma, obesity is not typically the primary cause of asthma symptoms. From my own perspective, the doctor may have done you a disservice by treating you the way he did. Would you consider seeking out a physician who is more compassionate and astute when it comes to managing this disease? I will also say that folks with an asthma diagnosis, may have symptoms that manifest themselves because of their weight status. It is somewhat of a slippery slope when discussing this.
How do you feel about your present weight? Since you've shared that previously you were quite active and physically fit, how do you feel about striving to return to that level of health?
I am hopeful others in the community will see your post and respond by sharing their own personal anecdotal experience when it comes to asthma, weight, and physical fitness.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

Hi there. Good to see you again. 😀 I hear how disappointed you are by this lackluster appointment, and frankly, I share your frustration! You are not the first to share a story like this in our Asthma community, and in fact it's an issue that comes up with many different communities within our Health Union family. One stands out to me: that of a man with migraine who was having serious health problems, but his care team simply pointed to his weight. He went home and lost a great deal of weight, but you guessed it, his symptoms had not changed. It wasn't until then that he was taken seriously. That's simply not fair.


I have two articles to share with you. One is about the connection between weight and asthma. While being overweight is indeed one *part* of a patient's difficulties, it doesn't mean that's the only factor or even the greatest factor. That said, here's how weight can play a role:


https://asthma.net/living/weight-loss-studies



And this second article is about what you are experiencing, a weight bias from your medical team:


https://asthma.net/clinical/weight-bias-healthcare


I hope these are interesting resources ... I encourage you to have a conversation with your doctor, expressing that while you acknowledge the need to lose weight, you also need help for your asthma right now. Your doctor works for you, not the other way around, and if you are not on the same page with your health concerns and how you want to be treated, it's certainly your right to move on to someone who is willing to take you seriously regardless of your weight.

You have our full support! Wishing you all the best. -Melissa, asthma.net team

Hi - I am sorry that your specialist appt was not up to par in regard to your expectations. I think, as Leon does above, that this doctor has done you a disservice. And, a second opinion may be in order. While being overweight can potentially contribute to asthma symptoms and exacerbate asthma flares, it is essential to understand that asthma is a complex condition with multiple factors involved. The relationship between weight and asthma is not straightforward and can vary from person to person. The question you bring up is difficult to answer. Weight gain could be the reason your asthma is flaring. And, it seems that was your doctor's opinion. My question is - has he come up with a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes exercise and eating right, for your worsening symptoms? I have an article that I think will interest you about the link between asthma and weight from the American Lung Association. I hope it sheds some light on the subject at hand. https://www.lung.org/blog/the-link-between-asthma-weight Sending you light and love ~ Warmly Rebecca (community moderator)

Hi Han-El
I definitely share your concern about your specialist diminishing you asthma symptoms because of weight. Several years ago when l was experiencing severe symptoms of asthma, I was overweight as well. I am a Health professional, so I decided that I would do everything I could to optimize my body to decrease the symptoms. I am, ok let’s say it, over 50. I mention this because loosing weight as we age for both men and woman isn’t an easy task without asthma and even harder with asthma symptoms. Currently, I have lost 50 lbs. yea! I am so happy about the weight loss,