Acid Reflux Asthma – What Few People Know
Acid Reflux Asthma – What Few People Know
Most people have heard of acid reflux and most people have heard of asthma, but not many are aware of acid reflux asthma. In this article we’re going to take a look at the relationship between these two conditions.
Research has indicated that people who suffer from asthma experience acid reflux more often. So let’s take a look at each of these conditions so we can understand what they are and how they might interact with each other.
Acid reflux (often referred to as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux) is a persistent and often painful condition that occurs when acid and other materials in the stomach back up into your esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that leads from your throat to your stomach. Normally, the lower esophagus sphincter closes off the stomach acids, but when the sphincter becomes weakened or unable to do its job properly, stomach contents can rise back up through the system, sometimes burning the back of your throat and seeping back into your mouth.
Asthma is a chronic health condition in which the airways become inflamed and sensitive, and overreact to certain triggers. These triggers can include animal dander, pollen, cigarette smoke, cold air, certain smells, and even strong emotions. The lining of the airways swells and produces excessive mucus. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or rapid breathing are the symptoms of asthma.
Acid Reflux Asthma
Acid reflux is experienced by as many as 70% of all asthmatics. The exact cause of this relationship is still unclear, however, there are several theories.
The most common theory turns to the significant pressure changes that occur in the chest during breathing in asthmatics. It’s thought that this high pressure forces the stomach acid up the esophagus, resulting in reflux symptoms. On the flip side, the effect acid reflux can have on asthma is to irritate the lungs and further aggravate the condition, something that has been observed in many asthma patients.
There have been studies in which acid was injected into the esophagus of asthma patients. The result was a significant increase in asthma symptoms. This appears to imply that one condition can significantly impact the other. However, acid reflux treatments generally do not improve an asthma condition, so the relationship between the two continues to be difficult to fully define.
If your asthma appears to be worsening and no one seems to know why, ask your doctor to check whether acid reflux asthma might be playing a role. He can conduct tests to determine if it’s a problem for you and work with you to minimize its impact.
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