Asthma and Acid Reflux
Medical research shows that three fourths of the people suffering from asthma also have acid reflux. The rationale of the connection is the coughing from the asthma irritates the LES muscles leading to weaker muscles and acid reflux. The research also noted that acid reflux could trigger the asthmatic attacks. While some medical professionals state the two are not related continued research is investigating the connection.
Asthma is a disease of the respiratory tract that is extremely serious that is caused by inflamed or swollen regions resulting in increased mucus, breathlessness, coughing, and sometimes death. The exact cause of asthma is unknown yet studies show it is possibly an inherited medical condition. Acid reflux is the stomach acids entering the esophagus due to weakened or relaxed LES muscles. Acid reflux then results in heartburn, hoarseness, and sore throats. The fact many people only discover they have the disease after being diagnosed with asthma and being placed on asthma medication has lead to the studies of the combination of the two medical conditions.
Acid reflux is due to the stomach acids rising up into the esophagus. The acids eat and erode the sensitive tissues and nerves in the esophagus. As the acid enters the regions, it stimulates the nerves and muscles in the neck and chest. The stimulation of the nerves then creates constriction in the bronchial areas resulting in difficulty breathing and wheezing or coughing. The results also lead to asthmatic seizures or attacks as well as causing more serious complications with people who originally had asthma as their only medical condition.
As the lungs are affected with the asthmatic problems, the symptoms begin to develop and pressure in the chest regions increase. As the chest pressure increases, the stomach acids are forced into the esophagus leading the problems and symptoms of acid reflux. The stomach acid rising into the upper esophagus creates additional respiratory complications. Studies show the process of acid reflux intensifies the asthma symptoms as the acids rise into the throat. These studies prove acid reflux results in asthma. The medications used to treat asthma will enlarge the airways to allow for breathing yet also increase the symptoms of acid reflux as the acids are forced into the esophagus with the enlarged lungs making the cycle of symptoms feed off each other. The medications also cause the LES to relax allowing acid reflux to intensify. Always discuss both medical conditions with the physician for medical treatment to allow for less discomfort.