Asthma affects not only the lungs but also the brain badly, health experts warned

Asthma: According to health experts, asthma can directly or indirectly disrupt the functioning of the brain. Know what is the opinion of experts on this.Asthma has become a serious disease in today's time. If the figures are to be believed, every year about 2,50,000 people lose their lives due to this disease. According to health experts, asthma is a condition of bad breathing, which mainly affects the lungs. Due to this, the walls of the lungs of the patients become thick and it gets filled with mucus. But, do you know that this disease can affect the functions of the brain to a great extent?

Let us tell you that dust particles or viral infection narrows the breathing passage even more during asthma. Recently, experts have warned that asthma can also directly or indirectly disrupt the functioning of the brain (Impact Of Asthma on The Brain).

Asthma affects brain functioning

Speaking to IANS, praveen Gupta, Chief and Principal director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, said, "Lack of oxygen due to an asthma attack can damage brain cells and frequent asthma attacks as well as poor management of the condition can lead to sleep disturbances, which can impair brain functioning."

What does the study say

A recent research has revealed that both adults and children suffering from asthma experience memory loss. Such memory loss in asthma patients is due to changes in the brain structure. In this condition, asthma patients experience a decrease in the volume of the hippocampus, which is believed to be associated with memory loss.

Apart from this, the level of chemical NAA is also low in asthma patients, due to which their memory starts decreasing. At the same time, lack of oxygen during an asthma attack can damage the hippocampus, making it difficult for the affected person to learn tasks.

Speaking to IANS, Aratrika Das, Consultant Pulmonology at Narayana Hospital-RN Tagore Hospital, said, "Asthma in children can particularly impact neurological function. In addition, factors such as hypoxia, inflammation and chronic stress of the disease can potentially affect neurocognitive function. There is a link between asthma and different neurological outcomes in children, including memory loss, increased risk of behavioral problems, disturbances in sleep patterns and potential drug side effects."

Neetu Jain, Senior Consultant Critical Care Sleep Medicine at PSRI Hospital, said, "Asthma causes an overloaded state in the brain. This condition is seen in patients of both young and old groups suffering from severe asthma. It can also cause cerebral hypoxia (not getting enough oxygen to the brain). Memory problems associated with asthma are global and have an impact on academic and executive functioning. ''

''In addition, asthma patients can be affected by stress and emotion, and any factor causing emotional distress can trigger an asthma attack. ''Let us tell you that health experts have tried to understand the complex interrelationship between asthma and neurological function. They have recommended focusing on both asthma care and neurological aspects to optimize treatment strategies and promote overall well-being.