July 4, 2005 – Laughter may contribute to the onset of asthma attacks. At least 56% of the 235 asthma patients surveyed by a team of researchers at the New York University School of Medicine medical center (56%) think this.NYU Medical Center) who delivered these results at an American Thoracic Society conference held last May. Australian researchers reported similar results last year1, while 41.9% of patients surveyed said the same.
Although we know that laughter can cause a seizure, just like pollen, smoke, dust or smog, we do not know what causes it. Researchers generally think it has to do with laughter-induced hyperventilation.
However, in patients with well-controlled asthma, laughter has little impact on the onset of attacks. On the contrary, it could even be beneficial. Indeed, the results of a clinical trial conducted in Japan last year indicate that showing humorous films may have a positive impact on patients with bronchial asthma.2. According to the researchers, humor would help counter stress, which is increasingly considered to be a worsening factor in diseases of the immune system, including asthma.
Experts believe that when laughter provokes an attack, it can be taken as an indicator that the patient’s asthma is poorly controlled and that the medication needs to be adjusted or breathing exercises prescribed. But there is no question of recommending asthmatics to avoid laughing …
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Healthandage.com.
1. Liangas G, Yates DH, et al. Laughter-associated asthma.J Asthma. 2004 Apr; 41 (2): 217-21.
2. Kimata H. Effect of viewing a humorous vs. nonhumorous film on bronchial responsiveness in patients with bronchial asthma.Physiol Behav. 2004 Jun; 81 (4): 681-4.
