About 75 percent of asthmatics also experience a severe form of acid reflux called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. In addition, asthmatics are twice as likely to have GERD as are people without asthma. Researchers are studying the association between acid reflux/GERD and asthma.
Association
Researchers believe there's an association between GERD and asthma, but as the Cleveland Clinic notes, they haven't yet identified the details. Asthma symptoms tend to worsen with GERD, and medications used to treat asthma may make GERD symptoms worse. Medications used to treat acid reflux, however, help improve asthma symptoms.
Causes
Although the cause for the association is uncertain, one possibility involves the constriction of the airways from a nerve reflex. The nerve reflex is thought to be caused by acid fluids entering the esophagus. Another possibility involves damage to the airway lining due to acid flow. The damaged airway makes breathing difficult.
Timing
Timing may indicate a GERD cause for asthma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, doctors suspect GERD as a factor in asthma if a patient first experiences asthma in adulthood or if asthma symptoms worsen after a meal or exercise. Physicians may also consider GERD if asthma symptoms persist at night.
Considerations
Acid reflux and GERD are not identical. Dr. Michael Picco, a gastroenterologist with the Mayo Clinic, explains that acid reflux is the flow of stomach acid through the esophagus and can occur without being diagnosed as GERD. When conditions worsen, acid reflux progresses into GERD. Medical literature links asthma with GERD but not with the less-serious acid reflux. Therefore, information on the association between acid reflux and asthma is not yet available.
Treatment and Prevention
Although treating asthma may worsen GERD, treating GERD may improve asthma. Among the treatments for acid reflux and GERD are over-the-counter medicines that relieve symptoms and prescription medications that decrease stomach acid production. Although rarely used, surgery also can treat GERD. Nonmedical strategies include sleeping in a slightly upright position, which allows gravity to force acidic fluid back into the stomach. Since smoking may increase acid reflux, giving up tobacco could improve GERD symptoms. And asthmatics should not smoke for an additional reason: smoking makes breathing difficult. Waiting a few hours after a meal before lying down can also help, as can eating smaller portions. Some foods aggravate acid reflux, such as peppermint, coffee, high-fat foods, chocolate, tea, alcohol, tomatoes and acidic fruit juices.
