Can a car crash trigger a severe asthma attack?

Car accidents continue to be a leading cause of injury in the U.S. In fact, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, millions of American drivers, passengers and pedestrians sustain injuries in motor vehicle crashes during any given year. Traumatic injuries, of course, are the most common.

Even if you manage to walk away from a car accident without having any physical injuries, you might not be out of the danger zone. This is especially true if you are an asthma sufferer, as car crashes can trigger asthma attacks.

The correlation between asthma and stress

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, there is a reliable correlation between stress and asthma. Indeed, strong emotions can cause asthma symptoms to flare. As you probably know, car accidents can be both stress-inducing and aggravating. If you do not control these emotions, you may need a trip to the hospital.

The risk of ignoring a flareup

If you have had asthma for a while, you might control it with daily medication and a rescue inhaler. You should know, though, that asthma symptoms can worsen for up to two days after their onset. Simply put, even if you think your attack is under control, it is advisable to seek emergency medical care.

After a car accident, a stress-induced asthma attack can put you in danger of additional injuries or even death. Ultimately, even though taking a trip to the hospital is likely to be expensive, it is impossible to put a price tag on your ability to breathe freely.