As unrelated as asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may seem from afar, the two conditions overlap quite often. In fact, more than 75 percent of people with asthma, an inflammatory condition that causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, also have GERD, a disorder in which the acids in your stomach back up into the esophagus, causing the discomfort called heartburn.Are you doing everything you can to manage your asthma? Find out with our interactive checkup.
If you have asthma, your risk of developing GERD is twice that of people who don’t. That risk is even higher for people with severe asthma that’s difficult to control. Beyond having to deal with two health conditions, GERD is thought to worsen asthma symptoms, and vice versa.
Why Is There a Link Between GERD and Asthma?
Though the statistics show a clear connection, exactly why GERD and asthma occur together so frequently hasn’t been established. Among the theories, says Norman H. Edelman, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, is that acid from GERD could actually enter the lungs and cause asthma symptoms. It could be that acid in the esophagus from GERD not only irritates, but actually damages the esophagus, throat, and lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing and a frequent cough. Another possibility is that there are certain reflexes in the esophagus that could trigger asthma symptoms. GERD certainly seems to worsen asthma symptoms and even trigger asthma attacks. But could GERD actually be the cause of asthma? Maybe, if your asthma suddenly developed in your adult years or if traditional medication doesn’t work, but treating GERD does.
Do You Have GERD Symptoms?
When GERD and asthma occur together, you will experience two sets of symptoms, asthma symptoms and these common symptoms of GERD:
- Heartburn — a burning sensation in the chest
- A bad or sour taste in the back of the throat
- The taste of swallowed food rising up in the back of your throat
- Excess saliva
- Painful swallowing
- A persistent sore throat or sense of losing the voice
When you have both GERD and asthma, you may experience these warning signs:
- Asthma symptoms that get worse after exercising or eating a big meal
- Asthma symptoms that get worse at night or when you lie down
- Persistent coughing or hoarse voice
- Persistent bouts of pneumonia
Managing Both Conditions
To control your asthma symptoms, be sure to carefully follow all of your doctor’s advice, such as taking your medication as directed and adopting healthy lifestyle habits like a regular exercise plan and taking all steps to avoid any asthma triggers that you’ve identified.
At the same time, make the needed adjustments to keep GERD symptoms under control. Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid foods thought to trigger GERD, like high-fat foods, alcohol, soda, peppermint, and chocolate. Eating small meals and having your last meal or snack of the day at least three hours before going to sleep will help your digestive system. If you smoke, quitting will help to lessen symptoms of both GERD and asthma.
Managing two distinct illnesses can be challenging, and it’s important to avoid treatments for one that could unintentionally aggravate the other. Talk to your doctor about better ways to control both conditions to get the most effective relief from asthma and GERD.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Asthma Center.