The Relation Between Asthma And Acid Reflux
Some Studies indicate that a connection exists between asthma and
acid reflux. People who suffer from asthma get acid reflux more often
than people without asthma. Before looking at the asthma-reflux
connection, it will be pertinent to take a look at the nature of the two
diseases.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic health condition in which the airways become
inflamed and sensitive, and react to certain stimuli (agents or
triggers). These triggers include animal dander, pollen, cigarette
smoke, cold air, certain smells, and even strong emotions. The lining of
the airways swells and produces extra quantity of mucus. Coughing,
wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or rapid breathing are
the symptoms experienced by the asthmatics. In severe cases, patients
can’t breathe and may die if prompt treatment is not provided.
Acid Reflux
In acid reflux, stomach acids flow backward into the esophagus due to
the relaxation or looseness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Acid reflux is characterized by the most common symptom of heartburn
i.e. a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Other symptoms include
difficulty in swallowing, cramping, sore throat, hoarseness and so on.
Drug treatment works in most cases of acid reflux but surgery might be
required in severe cases.
Asthma And Acid Reflux Connection
The findings that acid reflux is experienced in as many as 70 % of
patients with asthma is thought evoking. The exact cause of this
co-occurrence is not clear but several theories have been formulated to
explain this connection between asthma and acid reflux.
The most plausible view of explaining the connection is that significant
pressure changes occur in the chest during breathing in asthmatic
people. These high pressures could force the stomach liquid to travel up
the esophagus, resulting in reflux symptoms. The effect of reflux on
asthma is that the regurgitating acid may irritate the lungs and further
aggravate asthma, which indeed has been observed in patients of asthma.
There have been studies in which acid was injected in the esophagus of
people with asthma. The result was a significant impact on their asthma
and an increase in their asthma symptoms. This appears to imply that
acid reflux is an important cause of asthma worsening. But research
evidence does not support this inference. Given this causal connection
between asthma and acid reflux, treatments against acid reflux should
make the asthma better, which is generally not the case.
Careful treatment of reflux might make the breathing better but not
necessarily. It is best to seek a doctor who uses natural methods to
treat acid reflux. This is because taking drugs for both asthma and acid
reflux at the same time may cause additional health problems in future.
|
