The Relation Between Asthma and GERD
Asthmatic people are two times more exposed to gastro-esophageal reflux disorder than healthy people, gathering a percentage of 75% of coexistence of the two diseases. Treatment resisting chronic forms of asthma make more likely the presence of GERS.
This disorder consistent the chronic reflux of the stomach acids back to the esophagus sphincter, a vulvae that in suck people fails. Over the acid reaches the esophagus, a burning sensation (heartburn) in generated. GERD may damage the lungs, produce ulcers and even esophageal cancer risk is increased (“Barrett`s esophagus”)
May asthma be caused by GERD?
The relationship between the two conditions is not very clear. It is a fait that the symptoms of asthma may be brought to surface by GERD., as it is also that medicines for asthma are likely to worsen GERD The treatment of GERD also helps to prevent the symptoms of asthma.
GERD is considered a cause for asthma in the following situations:
- - The symptoms of asthma worsen after eating, after exercises or at nighttime
- - Asthma episodes begin during adult head
- - The disease doesn't back up in front of asthma medication
What influence may GERD have an asthma?
The relationship between the two conditions, as it is mentioned above is not very clear, but they are cases of coincidence. The flow of the acid may damage the lining of the throat, the airways and lungs, which generates aggressive coughing.
Some other times, a nerve reflex is provoked to narrow the air ways, in order to prevent the acid to exit the esophagus, which produces breath problems.
The beta-adrenergic bronchodilatators used to treat asthma may produce GERD. This relationship is still being studied.
How to handle both asthma and GERD
The first thing a person has to do in case he/she is affected by both asthma and GERD is to continue the treatment for asthma and avoid, at the same time, the factors that may cause problems.
The following steps are effective to control GERD:
- - The meals must be eaten at least four hours before the sleep harder
- - The quantity of food should be reduced
- - The head of the bed must be normal, because, other wise, more pressure is exerted over the abdomen by the extra pounds
- - The quantity of fats, spices, sweets, acidulate juices or alcohol must be severely reduced
- - The belts and clothes should be loose
- - Give up cigarettes
In addition medicines like Rolaids,Tums ,Maalox, Tagamet, Zantac, Peptcid and Axid control GERD In case they don't have the expected effect the doctor proscribes others, or, rarely, recommends surgery.