More than 75 percent of people who suffer from asthma also deal with acid reflux, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up through the esophagus. If it moves far enough up, it can enter the lungs and inflame the airways, producing mucus in them. Although the exact connection between the two conditions isn't yet clear, the Cleveland Clinic says mucus produced by acid reflux can worsen asthma symptoms.
Persistent Cough
A cough that persists despite attempts to control it may indicate that acid from the stomach is injuring the throat and lungs, states the Cleveland Clinic, making it difficult to inhale air. The National Institutes of Health cautions that when a persistent cough is accompanied by heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth, those symptoms together can indicate that acid reflux is causing the cough. Fox News reports that people whose coughing is caused by acid reflux may cough the most at night while lying down in bed or after eating a large meal. Both lying down flat and eating a big meal often cause stomach acid to back up in people who suffer from acid reflux, so the Cleveland Clinic recommends that people with acid reflux raise the heads of their beds by 6 inches for sleeping, avoid eating for at least three hours before bedtime, and eat small meals rather than large ones.
Chest Tightness
Acid that refluxes into the esophagus can cause a sensation of tightness in the chest, reports Fox News. Chest tightness is a symptom that people with asthma frequently experience because of their reduced ability to breathe during flare-ups. People who suspect that acid reflux is causing their asthma may find it useful to try proton pump inhibitor drugs that either block or limit the amount of acid their stomachs produce, Fox News says. Asthma patients who use proton pump inhibitor medications such as the prescription drug Protonix or the over-the-counter drug Prilosec often report experiencing relief from their asthma symptoms when the level of stomach in their bodies decreases, reports Fox News.
Shortness of Breath
When stomach acid enters the esophagus, as it does for people who have acid reflux, the acid can trigger a nerve reflex that causes the lungs' airways to narrow to prevent the acid from entering them, the Cleveland Clinic says. Narrowed airways then can cause the shortness of breath that is a common symptom of asthma, and reducing stomach acid levels by taking either antacid medications or proton pump inhibitor drugs can help relieve the problem, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
