The Connection Between Asthma And Acid Reflux
Some reports point to that there is a relationship
between asthma and acid reflux. People who have a medical condition of
asthma may have a higher chance of acid reflux as compared to people
without asthma. Before deciding whether there is an asthma-reflux
connection, it is important to explore the nature of the two diseases.
Asthma
Asthma is a continual health condition where the respiratory tract
becomes inflamed and sensitive, and reacts to certain stimuli (agents or
triggers). These stimuli include pollen, cigarette smoke, animal dander,
certain smells, cold air, and even strong emotions. The lining of the
respiratory tract swells and generates excessive amount of mucus.
Coughing, out of breath, chest tension or hasty breathing are the
symptoms experienced by people with asthma. In some serious cases,
patients can’t breathe and may die if timely treatment is not given.
Acid Reflux
In the case of acid reflux, stomach acids back up into the esophagus
because of the relaxation or slackness of the lower esophageal sphincter
(LES). One of the most common symptoms of acid reflux is heartburn i.e.
a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Other symptoms include
difficulty in sore throat, hoarseness, swallowing, cramping and so on.
Taking over-the-counter or prescribed medicines can relieve the symptoms
in most cases of acid reflux but surgery might be required in severe
cases.
Asthma And Acid Reflux Relation
It is thought evoking that as many as 70 % of patients with asthma also
suffer from acid reflux. The exact reason of such co-occurrence is
unclear but several theories have been formulated to give an explanation
to this connection between asthma and acid reflux.
The most possible explanation on the relation is that considerable
pressure changes happen in the chest during breathing in people with
asthma. These high pressures may cause the stomach acids to move up the
esophagus, thus resulting in reflux symptoms. The impact of reflux on
asthma is that the reflux of acid may irritate the lungs and further
worsen asthma condition.
Studies have shown that there are cases in which acid was injected in
the esophagus of people with asthma. The result was a considerable shock
on their asthma and a raise in their asthma symptoms. This appears to
suggest that acid reflux is an important cause of asthma worsening.
However, no research evidence supports such inference. Another
observation is that given this causal connection between asthma and acid
reflux, treatments that work for acid reflux should relief asthma
condition. However, this is generally not the case.
Sometime, it is better to look for a physician who uses natural remedies
to cure acid reflux. This is because taking drugs for both asthma and
acid reflux simultaneously may result in additional health issues in
future.
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