- By Parina Taneja
- Tue, 07 May 2024 10:16 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Asthma is a lung disease that affects people of every age group. It is ideally caused when the area around the airways is inflamed, and the muscle is tightened. Every year on the first Tuesday of May, World Asthma day is celebrated to promote awareness about this disease and the complications it brings. This year, the theme of World Asthma Day is 'Asthma Education Empowers'. It focuses on empowering people by providing education and knowledge to manage asthma and its symptoms.
The symptoms of asthma can include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightening. Although asthma can be a serious condition, it can be treated with early intervention and diagnosis. On the other hand, Dr. Piyush Goel (Senior Consultant- Pulmonology and Intensive Care, Manipal Hospital Gurugram) explains that headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, can be more common in people with asthma.
Your asthma can be behind those severe headaches. Know how to treat them from a doctor (Image:Freepik)
He elaborates that uncontrolled asthma can cause stress and anxiety, which can trigger tension headaches and lead to poor sleep, which is another factor contributing to headaches. Along with it, a decrease in the level of oxygen during asthma attacks can also contribute to headaches.
Here are a few types of headaches that can occur if you have asthma, as explained by Dr Piyush Goel:
1. Sinus headaches: Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses are inflamed, which can cause sinus headaches. Since asthma and sinusitis mostly occur together, people with asthma might experience sinus symptoms simultaneously.
2. Tension headaches: Asthma attacks can cause pain and anxiety, which can lead to tension in the head and neck. This leads to tension-type headaches.
By managing your asthma, you can reduce the chances of asthma attacks and headaches (Image:Freepik)
3. Migraines: There may be a link between asthma and migraines; it is seen that people who have asthma usually have high chances of getting migraines too.
4. Headaches due to medication side effects: Some of the asthma medications, like oral corticosteroids, that are used during severe asthma attacks can lead to side effects like headaches.
5. Allergic reactions causing headaches: Allergens and allergic reactions often trigger asthma, which can lead to headaches as secondary symptoms.
It is important to address both asthma and headaches simultaneously. By managing your asthma with medication and avoiding triggers, you can reduce the chances of asthma attacks that might bring on headaches. Additionally, taking doctor-prescribed headache medication can provide relief. Most importantly, if you're facing frequent headaches alongside your asthma, consult your doctor. They can identify the cause and create a treatment plan that addresses both issues.