A shaky 9-to-5 is no fun for your lungs. People who think they’re in danger of losing their jobs might be more likely to develop adult-onset asthma than those who feel secure , new research from Germany reveals.
Agonizing over getting axed creates chronic stress, which can make your body less sensitive to cortisol, a hormone in your body that has anti-inflammatory effects, the researchers believe. And that’s bad for breathing, because inflammation can make your airways swell.
But the study doesn’t show cause and effect. There are other factors that may be at play: For instance, chronic stress can also weaken your immunity and make you more vulnerable to common infections, says Gary Stadtmauer, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of clinical immunology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“Sinus infections or the common cold can aggravate underlying asthma,” he says. “So is it that it’s causing asthma, or is it unmasking asthma in people who are already predisposed to it genetically?”
More research is needed to tell for sure. But if you feel like your job is on the line, it can’t hurt to keep up healthy habits to try to prevent asthma: Avoid contact with any substances you’re allergic to, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking for good.
And if you find yourself coughing or wheezing, or feel chest tightness or a shortness of breath, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she can perform tests to evaluate your airways for asthma or other conditions that may mimic it, says Dr. Stadtmauer.
