Question:
I recently saw my gastroenterologist and when I told him that I just got
diagnosed with asthma in November he told me that most adult onset asthma is
the result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially in women. He
gave me a pamphlet and told me to take antacids. Although I don't have any
perceived symptoms of GERD (I went to him for hemorrhoids), I'm wondering if
there is indeed a correlation. Would anyone know if this is true?
Answer:
Indeed there is a very strong correlation. I am 60 and have had
asthma for 2 years. I too thought I had no symtoms of GERD until I
looked into it further. Symptoms can mimic allergies (which drs.
thought was the cause) and seem unrelated such as lots of mucous, a
full feeling in the throat (globus), ear aches, etc. Also, the more
classic feeling of stomach bloating. I rarely have the usual symptoms
of stomach or esophegeal pain or heart burn. I watch my diet, no
tea, coffee, tomato, chocolate, peppermint, fat, most fruits, coke,
the list goes on. I sleep with the head of my bed elevated about 6
inches. Try to eat often, and not just before going to bed.
I find that if I avoid bending over, I avoid many asthma attacks.
There is a nerve in the esophagus I think, that when touched by the
acid starts an attack.
I also take a mild tranquilizer which helps in dealing with one of the
causes of GERD, anxiety , and use Pepcid when ever I feel it is
needed.
I tried prevacid, one of the 2 medicines designed to help with this
condition and had awful side effects so quit.
There are a number of good articles on-line about this relationship,
worth having a look around.
Don't minimize the seriousness of this kind of asthma. I did and
almost died before I could get to the hospital.
