Asthma is among a number of diseases that cause great discomfort and even disabilities to millions of sufferers across the globe.

Now the healthcare community have been noticing a fairly consistent link between asthma and another troublesome condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or more popularly known as acid reflux.

The presence of these two ailments forms a menacing blend of symptoms that are certain to increase the irritation caused by either disease alone.

Many things can set off an asthma attack in 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 set off asthma episodes, especially in adult patients.

What is Acid Reflux?

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 swollen because acid from the stomach backs up. This backing up of acid is known as acid reflux. Acid reflux can reach high up the throat, causing even more irritation and discomfort or triggering other illnesses such as asthma.

Acid Reflux: What Causes It?

Acid reflux may be caused by a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES acts as the gatekeeper of the stomach. When people swallow, the LES opens to permit food particles and liquid into the stomach. Once food has passed through, the LES closes back up to prevent the stomach’s contents from returning to the esophagus.

Those that have acid reflux may have a defective 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 feeling of burning due to irritation. This results in a condition that most people refer to as heartburn.

The Relationship between Acid Reflux and Asthma

It has been observed by many asthma specialist that asthmatics are also more likely to have a defective 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 can cause asthma symptoms in two ways. First, acid reflux may cause people to breathe little droplets of acid into their lungs without them knowing it. This acid can aggravate the fragile pulmonary lining and cause spasms in the bronchi or airways, which in turn can result in an asthma attack.

Second, recurring episodes of acid reflux may cause digestive acid to melt away the esophageal lining and expose some parts of significant nerves that are connected to the lungs. The irritation of the nerve endings have been observed to also set off the constriction of airways, which could then result in an asthma attack.

How to Recognize if Acid Reflux Is Causing Asthma

Asthmatics may know that their asthma attacks are connected with acid reflux if their asthma began after reaching adulthood. Acid reflux is also suspected if asthma symptoms become more evident after eating, at night, or after lying down for a while. It can also be evident if the typical asthma treatments don’t work.

With the link between asthma and acid reflux being recognized, it is therefore prudent to test for GERD. The combination of these two diseases can seriously hamper the quality of one’s lifestyle and therefore early detection is warranted.