GERD and Asthma

If you think sleeping on anti allergy bedding will completely stop your asthma episodes then think again. Symptoms of asthma can flare up due to several reasons; allergens are just one of them. Several studies have shown a link between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Asthma; in fact studies have revealed that almost 75% of people with asthma also experience GERD or more commonly known as acid reflux. It is usually seen that people who suffer from a severe, chronic form of asthma, resistant to asthma, they are more likely to suffer from GERD.

What is GERD?

Normally when we eat or drink the muscle at the bottom of our esophagus seals in food and liquids so that they remain in the stomach. In case of GERD the acid from the stomach backflows into the esophagus. The acid touches the lining of the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. If left untreated for a prolonged time then GERD can cause damage to the lungs, esophageal ulcers, and even Barrett’s esophagus in certain cases which ultimately leads to esophageal cancer.

 

Does GERD cause asthma?

Studies have shown that GERD a relationship between asthma and GERD although the exact relationship is still unclear. At least it can be said that acid reflux can worsen the symptoms of asthma and it has been seen that treating the symptoms of GERD helps relieve asthma symptoms. Doctors usually consider GERD as the cause of asthma when:

• Asthma begins in adulthood
• Symptoms of asthma become worse after a meal, after exercise, at night or after lying down
• Asthma doesn’t respond to the standard asthma treatments.

 

How GERD affects Asthma?

Although the relation between GERD and asthma is not very clear but there are possibilities that they both coincide. One possibility is that the refluxed acid can aspirate into the airways and lungs thus making it difficult to breathe and causes coughing.

Another possibility is that the when acid enters the esophagus it triggers a nerve reflex. This nerve reflex causes the airways to constrict to prevent the acid from entering. Although it stops the acid from entering but as the airways become narrow it leads to shortness of breath, a symptom of asthma.

Other than these possible relations between acid reflux and asthma one study revealed that asthma patients who were treated with known asthma medication like as beta-adrenergic bronchodilators showed an increase in acid reflux. But before arriving at any conclusion further studies are required to establish a relation between GERD and asthma.

 

In case if you have both then here are a few tips that will help you avoid acid reflux:

• Sleep in an inclined position with your head and shoulder
• Take your meals at least 2-3 hrs before going to bed
• Sleep on your left side
• Avoid foods that can cause acidity
• Avoid late night snacks
• Avoid alcohol and
• Stop smoking.