Psychological stress, immunity, and asthma: developing a paradigm for effective therapy and prevention

Publication date: August 2019Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 28Author(s): Gailen D MarshallAsthma is increasing in incidence and prevalence worldwide in an alarming fashion. Accompanying this increase in asthma incidence and disease activity is living in an increasingly stressful, sedentary, polluted environment, all of which may be contributing to the immune imbalances associated with asthma. All individuals experience stress in their lives which, in measured amounts, is actually necessary and healthy. However, in excess amounts, intensity, duration or even character, stress can alter multiple physiological systems including emotional perceptions, neuroendocrine pathways and immune networks to produce either exhaustion, dysregulation or both. The altered immune networks may result in an under expression of immune function manifest as increased susceptibility to infections. If the immune target is primarily regulatory then the result may be an over expression of immune function manifest as increased incidence of new and/or worsening of existing inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Managing stress as a therapeutic goal for asthma patients is being increasingly explored in our current society. Approaches include reducing stress exposure where possible or mitigating the adverse impact of excessive stress when reducing is not possible or practical. Approaches to stress management can be physical (i.e. exercise-based), pharmacological or psychological. Effo...

Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences - February 25, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research