How Treating The Mind Can Heal The Body
The anticipation of episodes of difficulty breathing may increase anxiety that triggers exacerbations of this chronic condition, in which spasm of small breathing passages limit the ability to breathe normally.
New research now demonstrates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) administered by respiratory nurses is not only cost effective, but also reduces symptoms of anxiety in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.
The research was published earlier this week in ERJ Open Research.
COPD is a chronic condition and is chiefly the result of irritants in cigarette smoke, but also exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution. It leads to inflammation in the lungs, spasm of breathing passages known as bronchioles, and ultimately leads to destruction of lung tissue, making it difficult to breathe. Inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) are often used as a mainstay of therapy…(Readmore)