Final answer:
Anxiety disorders and stress-related factors are often comorbid with asthma, with stressful experiences and early-life infections increasing the risk of developing the condition. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways with genetic and environmental triggers.
Step-by-step explanation:
One often-reported comorbidity with asthma is anxiety disorders. Stressful experiences, such as parental or interpersonal conflicts, have been linked to the onset of asthma. Evidence shows that early-life respiratory infections caused by viruses like human rhinovirus C (HRVC) or bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae may contribute to the development of asthma. Additionally, mental disorders have been found to co-occur with asthma, potentially as a comorbidity or as a result of the chronic nature of the disease.
Asthma itself is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Triggers for asthma attacks can be environmental, like allergens and air pollution, or related to other health issues such as obesity or sleep apnea. Having a family history of asthma can also increase one's likelihood to develop the condition due to genetic predispositions.