An asthma comorbidity is any condition that affects someone while they have asthma. Some common asthma comorbidities include allergic conditions, anxiety, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. In some cases, asthma comorbidities can worsen a person’s asthma.
Asthma is a common respiratory condition, affecting up to
Although asthma is a chronic condition, its comorbidities range from chronic to acute conditions. This article lists the most common asthma comorbidities.
According to a
Table of Contents
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, or hayfever, is the most common asthma comorbidity, occurring in around
Allergic rhinitis is when allergens cause immune responses that affect the nose. This leads to symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose.
Allergic sinusitis
Allergic sinusitis occurred in around
This can cause congestion and pain, and swelling, especially around the forehead, nose, cheeks, and between the eyes.
Atopic dermatitis
The study also reported that atopic dermatitis, or eczema, occurred in around
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes chronic dry skin and rashes. People who have atopic dermatitis may also have very itchy skin.
Although its underlying mechanism remains unknown, scientists believe that atopic dermatitis may be the result of an overactive immune system.
Learn about the links between asthma, eczema, and allergies.
Food allergies
Food allergies occur when someone is prone to immune responses to specific foods. They can cause itchy skin, swelling, and breathing difficulties, among other symptoms.
Food allergies occurred in around
Learn about shortness of breath after eating.
Asthma is a serious condition. It can cause decreased quality of life and can sometimes be life threatening.
Children with asthma can also experience problems with mental health.
According to a 2019 study on comorbidities in children with asthma, mental health problems occurred in
Anxiety, in particular, may commonly occur in children with asthma.
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is when the vocal cords do not work correctly.
According to a 2020 study, roughly
With VCD, an individual’s vocal cords close when they inhale instead of opening up. This causes breathing problems that can manifest as shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, or a feeling of choking.
Osteoporosis is when a person has low bone density. This means bones break easily, making people with osteoporosis prone to injuries such as bone fractures.
According to a review in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, osteoporosis occurs at a rate of
There is
Some asthma comorbidities resemble asthma in their symptoms. For example, as a
Diagnosing and treating asthma comorbidities could ease a person’s asthma symptoms. Given the vast number of different asthma comorbidities, treatment will vary greatly.
A person with asthma comorbidities should discuss treatment options with their doctor.
This section answers some frequently asked questions about asthma comorbidities.
Is asthma a comorbidity of COVID-19?
Not as such. However, people with asthma are
The
Is asthma a comorbidity of obesity?
Yes, obesity is a
A
The researchers also note that adults with obesity and asthma may experience improved asthma outcomes following weight loss.
Sometimes, an individual with asthma will develop other conditions. In children, common asthma comorbidities include allergies, anxiety, and GERD. In adults, they include obesity, vocal cord dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease.
In some cases, asthma comorbidities can worsen asthma symptoms or make the condition less manageable. Some combinations of conditions require a specialized treatment approach.
