07.20.07
Asthma and Acid Reflux
Asthma can be a life-threatening disease.Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. The result is difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks are not all the same—some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. Approximately one adult in 13 is currently being treated for asthma in the UK. This condition is a medical emergency. There are things in the environment that bring on your asthma symptoms and lead to asthma attacks. Some of the more common things include exercise, allergens, irritants, and viral infections. People can die from severe asthma attacks. Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing, rapid breathing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. Respiratory infections, including the common cold. Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason for missed school days. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your esophagus. GERD may trigger an asthma attack or make an attack worse.
Asthma is more common in boys than in girls. Some people have asthma only when they exercise or have a viral infection. Sometimes certain triggers can bring on symptoms. Approximately 14 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma. Common triggers include house dust mite, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air, viral and bacterial chest infections. During very severe attacks, an asthma sufferer can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness. But after puberty asthma is more common in females. Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acid reflux can cause asthma symptoms in two ways. First, acid reflux may cause people to breathe little droplets of acid into their lungs unknowingly. Second, recurring episodes of acid reflux may cause digestive acid to dissolve the esophageal lining and expose some parts of significant nerves that are connected to the lungs.
Acid Reflux Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD) is a condition that occurs when stomach acids flow backward into the esophagus. Acid reflux may be caused by a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. There is a ring of muscles between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter. The Asthma-Reflux Connection Researchers say acid reflux affects 20 to 30 percent of Americans. But the condition occurs in as many as 70 percent of patients with asthma. The reason for the high incidence in asthmatics is not certain. However, there are several theories about the association. Pressure changes in the chest during an asthma attack may allow the LES to relax and stomach acids to back up into the esophagus. The acid may irritate the lungs and further aggravate asthma. Acid reflux is also suspected if asthma symptoms become more noticeable after eating, at nighttime, and after some time lying down.