Asthma is among many diseases that cause great distress and even disabilities to millions of sufferers worldwide. Now health professionals have been noticing a fairly consistent correlation between asthma and another troublesome condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or more generally known as acid reflux. The existence of these two ailments forms an alarming blend of symptoms that are sure to increase the irritation caused by either disease alone.
Various things can start an asthma attack in those people who are prone to this lung disease. For some it takes as little as a small puff of cold breeze, a little whiff of dust, or a tense situation, among many other factors. Now it has been discovered that acid reflux can also start asthma episodes, especially in adult patients.
Acid Reflux: What is it?
When people eat, the food goes through the mouth to the stomach through the throat and the esophagus. The esophagus is a fine tube that connects the throat to the stomach. In some people, the esophagus can get irritated and inflamed because of acid from the stomach backing up into the throat. This backing up of acid is known as acid reflux. Acid reflux can reach high up the throat, causing even more swelling and discomfort or triggering other illnesses such as asthma.
Acid Reflux: What Causes It?
Acid reflux may be caused by a malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES acts as the gatekeeper of the stomach. When people swallow, the LES opens to allow food particles and liquid into the stomach. Once food has passed through, the LES closes up to keep the stomach's contents from returning to the esophagus.
Those that have acid reflux may have a faulty LES, which does not close correctly or opens at the wrong times. This allows acid and some digested food particles to return to the esophagus, causing a sensation of burning due to irritation. This results in a condition that most people refer to as heartburn.
The Connection between Acid Reflux and Asthma
It has been observed by many doctors specializing in asthma that asthmatics are also more likely to have a faulty LES. Moreover, many reports have revealed that asthmatics who were treated for acid reflux also experienced some reprieve from the symptoms of asthma.
Acid reflux triggers asthma symptoms in two ways. First, acid reflux may cause people to breathe minute droplets of acid into their lungs without them knowing it. This acid can aggravate the very fragile pulmonary lining and cause spasms in the bronchi or airways, which in turn can result in an asthma attack.
Second, frequent episodes of acid reflux may cause digestive acid to melt away the esophageal lining and expose some parts of important nerves that are connected to the lungs. The irritation of the nerve endings have been observed to also start the constriction of airways, which could then result in an asthma attack.
How to Recognize if Acid Reflux Is Causing Asthma
Asthmatic people may recognize that their asthma attacks are connected to acid reflux if their asthma started in their adult years. Acid reflux is also suspected if asthma symptoms become more apparent after eating a meal, at night, and after lying down for a while. It can also be apparent if the typical asthma treatments don't work.
With the correlation between asthma and acid reflux being recognized, it is therefore sensible to check for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The blending of these two diseases can seriously hinder the quality of one's lifestyle and thus early detection is warranted.
Related Articles
By: | 31/12/1969 |
What is Acid Reflux?
By: Amanda Baker | 27/01/2006 | Health
When the valve found at the lower end of the esophagus is dysfunctional, it allows the acidic content of the stomach to be regurgitated.
What is G.e.r.d.?
By: William Lagadyn | 10/03/2007 | Alternative Medicine
GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease affects millions of people each year. This catch-all term encompasses a wide array of complaints ranging from “acidic stomach”, belching, nausea, bloating, distention, heartburn, hoarseness, esophagitis, gastritis, acid reflux, and asthma-like symptoms.
Treat Heartburn
By: Dtm | 11/09/2006 | Health
ou know what heartburn is or you know someone who has experienced heartburn. Heartburn is where your body causes the contents of the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus.
Heartburn Ulcer
By: Dtm | 12/09/2006 | Health
At one point or other in our lives we have all experienced some form of heartburn. The effects of heartburn may be mild or frequent and painful, but they are symptoms that we can ease.
Stop Acid Reflux With Two Natural Supplements
By: Charles Stewart Richey | 25/10/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Acid reflux has become epidemic in the world today. Most people who have relied on drugs to treat this condition in the past are realizing that they are far too expensive and have myriad harmful side effects. More and more acid reflux sufferers are discovering natural ways to address this condition. With a few simple changes in life style and a couple of supplements one can jump start efforts to live a more healthy digestive life
Frequent Heartburn - The Awful Truth About Constant Heartburn
By: Dean Caporella | 13/12/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Modifying your diet is naturally a good start but not the complete answer.
Acid Reflux - What To Drink For It
By: Anna Hart | 28/03/2007 | Medicine
Some people think ahead, and plan a drink with meals that will help avoid acid reflux. Others Wait, and look for a drink that will relieve acid reflux. Whichever your style, here are a few tips on what to drink for acid reflux.
Acid Reflux - What Not to Drink
There are...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Brai cells
By: Nachumi | 20-11-2007
At what age the brain cells begin to dye?
How often does a heart attack kill in the USA?
By: Aby | 19-11-2007
How often does a heart attack kill in the USA?
What are some good methods to treat very bad allergies?
By: lindseyd | 19-11-2007
I have really bad allergies to dust and the outdoors. I have tried different alergy meds but find that they just make me feel drowsy and don't do enough for my nasal congestion. Are there any natural remedies that i should look into or other methods that might help?
Health precautions in Africa
By: Sanjeev | 19-11-2007
What health precautions should I take while traveling and visiting remote places and cultures in Africa?
Has anyone tried the new fruit drink called ...
By: thatscotsbloke | 19-11-2007
Has anyone tried the new fruit drink called Monavie?
Seeds that do not digest
By: JLParker | 18-11-2007
What are the seeds or nuts that do not break down in the human digestive system?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Health Articles
Stress - Bring An End To The Meal-Time Rush
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Even if you don't have children, meal time can be major stress time. Your mate might become irritable while awaiting dinner, and you might be grumpy as well. Hunger can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be the cause of major stress. Sometimes, you might find it difficult to concentrate as your stomach is growling.
Mind Over Matter At Vital Times
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at one mans survival with the power of the mind after a catastrophic personal injury.
Stress - Are Your Kids Stressing You Out
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
While you can guide your child, you cannot expect to control him or her, particularly when your child reaches the teenage years. Therefore, you have to learn to somehow manage the stress of parenthood before it gets the better of you.
At Home DNA Testing is Here
By: Jason Kay | 21/08/2008
You can't watch a crime drama on TV, or the news (think Anna Nicole Smith) for very long nowadays without hearing about DNA. DNA testing can tell who fathered a child. It can rescue an innocent inmate from prison, or prove the case against a criminal. DNA testing can give...
Fighting Cancer From Within
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at the research that is being carried out into the treatment of cancer and how new findings hope to secure a way of using the bodies own defence system to beat the killer disease.
The Health Benefits of Vitamin C
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
The C vitamin is also an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the C vitamin to maximise their usefulness. The more C vitamin that the body has, the better its defence against colds and other common ailments.
Massage Therapy - History and Development
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
During 500 BC-50 AD, the Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 AD, Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.
What Are The Qualities Of A Good Massage Therapy Clinic
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Important characteristic of a good massage therapy clinic is having professional masseurs. This means that the massage therapists should have at least a license in the kind of massage they are doing and several years of experience. That way, you can be sure that what they are doing is right and good for your body.
More from Elizabeth Radisson
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 24/11/2007 | Health
Many people are unaware that arthritis is a term used to cover over 200 different diseases that involve symptoms of pain and inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is among the most common and potentially disabling forms of arthritis.
This article addresses some of the basic facts about rheumatoid arthritis, to...
Alcoholism In The Workplace
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 18/11/2007 | Health
Alcohol misuse is a growing issue within the workplace. Alcoholism affects people in all social and economic situations, and its effects can be found in both white- and blue-collar jobs. Though the common stereotype is that alcoholics are homeless and unemployed, it has been estimated that around 75% of alcoholics...
Five Things You Can Do To Help Your Indigestion
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 18/11/2007 | Health
From time to time, everyone experiences symptoms of indigestion or heartburn. Often, these symptoms occur following a big meal. An estimate five million men in the United States alone are affected by indigestion at one time or another. However, some people experience more frequent digestive problems.
There are a number of...
Effective Weight Loss: The Weight Watchers Promise
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 23/01/2007 | Health
Losing weight can be a harrowing experience most especially if you start feeling that you are alone in your quest to lose the excess pounds. However, this is not so when you are with a group going through the same process and are ready to support you until you achieve...
The Prevalence Of Child Obesity
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 16/01/2007 | Health
Child obesity has quickly become a major problem in America, the degree to which may not even be fully realized at this point. To consider all the aspects of obesity, a systems approach is necessary in identifying all factors involved. From this perspective, a more encompassing view of the prevalence...
Does Ear Stapling Really Lead To Weight Loss?
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 15/01/2007 | Health
It is alarming to note that more and more people are getting obese these days. Studies have found that obesity is primarily caused by people's increasing and uncontrolled appetite for food.
However, most of the food sold in the market nowadays is processed; almost all the essential nutrients are replaced by...
The Deep Sleeper And Bedwetting Connection
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 12/01/2007 | Health
Children who are five or six years old and are persistent bed wetters have long been considered by the medical community to suffer from a sleep disorder. Recent studies seem to show that this is not the case and that typically the children are deep sleepers who fail to wake...
Selecting The Best Online Weight Loss Program
By: Elizabeth Radisson | 08/01/2007 | Health
The Internet has become a convenient venue where different products and services are sold and offered to different kinds of people.
Online businesses recognize the many needs of people and so they tend to offer products and services that would certainly arouse interest and generate rapid sales.
Obesity is one problem plaguing...
Health 
