The Relationship Between Acid Reflux and Asthma

The widespread opinion in the medical society today is that there is a relationship between acid reflux and asthma – people suffering from asthma tend to develop GERD more often, which in turn will cause a worsening of their asthma.

Asthma is a commonly encountered respiratory affection, characterized by symptoms such as airflow resistance, wheezines and breathlessness, as well as hyper responsiveness to stimuli. The patient may also suffer from allergies more frequently, and it is common for the affection to manifest through nocturnal episodes.

Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is an affection caused by the gastric acid entering the esophagus and attacking the tissue there; one of the most common symptoms of this affection is the heartburn – a burning sensation in the lower chest, behind the sternum.

There seems to be a relationship between acid reflux and asthma; however, at this time, the studies performed on the matter have not reached any conclusive results. The common line of thought among health care professionals today is that the presence of GERD causes a worsening of the patient’s asthma, especially when the treatment for acid reflux is delayed or not applied at all. This is because the condition continues to progress, leading to the gastric acid reaching the mouth – but before that, it will affect the patient’s lungs.

At the same time, asthma causes a number of changes inside the patient’s chest, due to the high pressure created through breathing. This pressure may cause the gastric fluids to exit from the stomach into the esophagus, thus facilitating the onset of GERD.

Patients suffering from asthma should seek their doctor’s advice at any sign that may indicate the onset of GERD, as their condition will only worsen if they become affected by both acid reflux and asthma. It is strongly recommended that the patients only follow the doctor’s advice regarding their medication treatment. Typically, asthma medication comes under the form of aerosol sprays, as they are easily assimilated into the organism and cause less side effects. The doctors may prescribe drugs based on hydrocortisone or adrenaline, as well as a number of other substances with preventive or curative properties. However, you should never take any medication for your condition without seeking the advice of a specialized health care professional beforehand.

Specialists are still studying the exact nature of the relationship between acid reflux and asthma. The results point towards the conclusion that it is easier to effectively treat asthma once the patient is no longer suffering from GERD and similarly, acid reflux is more easily cured once the respiratory affection has been relieved.