Many health experts have now started believing that asthma and acid reflux, or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, are interlinked. Experts believe that acid Reflux may aggravate the symptoms of asthma and vice-versa.

Acid reflux and Its Symptoms

Acid reflux is a health condition in which the stomach acid regurgitates into the esophagus.

Common symptoms attached with this condition are:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Vomiting
• Dysphagia (problem in swallowing food)

Asthma and Its Symptoms

Asthma is a health condition that affects the airways that carry air to and from lungs. In asthma the airways become inflamed or swollen, which in turn, makes them sensitive to certain triggers.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing
• Recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound as the person breaths)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Restless sleep

How Acid Reflux and Asthma Could Be Related

A plausible reason for link between the two is that in asthmatic patients there is a considerable pressure change in the chest, which in turn, may cause the gastric acids to regurgitate into esophagus, triggering acid reflux.

On the other hand, when in acid reflux the stomach acids move upwards they may irritate the lungs and worsen the condition of the individual who is asthmatic.

In studies done to better understand the relation between these two, stomach acids were injected in the esophagus of asthma patients and it was found that the entry of stomach acids into the esophagus of asthma patients worsen their condition.

Also, it is often found that treating acid reflux helps in alleviating some of the symptoms of asthma.

More research is needed to establish a concrete association between these two diseases, but as of now, experts does believe a link between the two diseases exists. It is understood that asthma may worsen the symptoms of acid reflux, which is basically a lifestyle condition, and vice-versa.

To learn more natural methods for acid reflux, check out our  acid reflux guide.

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