People with asthma often experience acid reflux or heartburn and are also twice as likely to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the main acid reflux producer. However, the connection is not as simple as it sounds.<\/p>\n
Is there a connection?<\/strong><\/p>\n The connection between asthma and GERD (the backward flow of acidic stomach content into the esophagus) was first noted in 1892 by Sir William Osler who observed the negative effects on asthmatics when eating certain foods and \u201coverloading” the stomach. Several studies have been undertaken since then to try and establish the connection between the two (see article GER or GERD).<\/p>\n What has been established is that asthma and acid reflux often occur together, that GERD may worsen asthma symptoms and vice versa and that treating GERD often helps relieve asthma symptoms. The conclusion reached was that although not all asthmatics experience acid reflux or GERD, an estimated 75% do and both conditions should be monitored and treated simultaneously to reach the best outcomes.<\/p>\n Identifying the culprit<\/strong><\/p>\n The involvement of GERD is suspected when asthma symptoms appear in adulthood (adult-onset asthma); are worse at night, after exercise, after meals or when lying down; when frequent acid reflux (heartburn) is present and asthma doesn’t get better after standard asthma treatment.<\/p>\n Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n Treatment consists of treating both conditions simultaneously. Standard asthma medication and therapies should be continued and maintained with one exception, namely the use of certain asthma medicines such as Theophylline that increase acid reflux and other GERD symptoms, and some bronchodilator inhaled medicines that may have the same effect. It is most important though to speak to your doctor and follow his\/her recommendations about these medications.<\/p>\n Treating and preventing GERD symptoms need a two-pronged response:<\/p>\n The first is taking recommended and approved medication. Three categories of medication are currently recommended, namely:<\/p>\n The second is making some lifestyle changes such as:<\/p>\n When all else fails<\/strong><\/p>\n Surgery or surgical anti-reflux therapy are last resort options that can only be recommended by your doctor. Several studies have suggested that surgical intervention did improve GERD and asthma symptom control.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" People with asthma often experience acid reflux or heartburn and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-focus-asthma","category-your-wellness-body"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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\nHeartburn and asthma.<\/em> 2012. Retrieved from: http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/asthma\/guide\/heartburn-asthma
\nJames, TCU. Is there a connection between asthma and acid reflux?<\/em> Retrieved from: http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.com\/health\/asthma-and-acid-reflux
\nKristi, MI. 2009. The relationship between GERD and asthma<\/em>. Retrieved from: http:\/\/www.medscape.com\/viewarticle<\/p>\n<\/div>\n