An estimated 75% of patients with asthma also suffer from chronic heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). People with asthma are twice as likely to suffer GERD as compared to those who do not have asthma and of those who have a more severe, chronic form of asthma resistant to treatment are most likely to have GERD.
GERD is the chronic backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus due to the faulty functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve at the bottom of the esophagus whose function is to prevent the stomach contents from backing up. The reflux of acid into the esophagus causes heartburn and if left untreated it can eventually lead to lung damage, inflammation of the esophagus and a esophageal cancer.
Even though studies have shown a connection between asthma and GERD, the precise relationship is not very certain. While GERD may aggravate asthma symptoms, asthma and some asthma medications may exacerbate asthma symptoms. Also, treating GERD usually helps relieve asthma symptoms, which seems to suggest a correlation between the two conditions.
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Doctors most often consider GERD to be the cause of asthma when asthma begins in adulthood, if asthma symptoms get worse after a meal, after exercise, at night or after lying down and if asthma doesn$%:t respond to the standard asthma treatments.
The exact link between GERD and asthma is uncertain but some of the possibilities are that the acid reflux results in injury to the throat, airways and lungs, making breathing difficult and resulting in chronic cough. Another probable link is that when acid enters the esophagus, a nerve reflex is activated, causing the airways to narrow to prevent acid from entering and causing shortness of breath.
Apart from these potential links between asthma and GERD, one study illustrated an increase in the rate of GERD in asthmatic patients treated with asthma medications such as beta-adrenergic bronchodilators. Further studies need to be conducted before the relationship between these drugs and GERD can be completely understood.
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If you suffer from both asthma and GERD, it is vital to continue with any asthma medications prescribed by your doctor, at the same time limiting exposure to any asthma triggers. Luckily, most symptoms of GERD can be treated or prevented by adopting dietary and simple lifestyle changes.
Aside from these steps, over-the-counter antacids can be used to relieve GERD symptoms. If after two weeks these medications do not help, then medications to block the amount of stomach acid produced by the body may be prescribed. If all else fails, then GERD may be treated through surgery.
The best solution is to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible and get it treated before it progresses to the surgery stage.