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Relationship Between Acid Reflux & Asthma

The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 32 percent and 84 percent of people with asthma also have gastroesophageal reflux (GER), also called acid reflux. The exact link is not well understood.

  1. Acid Reflux & Asthma

    • Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acids back up into the esophageal tract, which is directly connected to the lungs. In asthma sufferers, irritants cause an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory tract. This reaction results in asthma symptoms that may include wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath.

    Drug Side Effects

    • In a normal situation, there is positive pressure in the abdomen and negative pressure in the chest. Drugs commonly used to treat asthma, such as long-acting bronchodilators, further reduce the pressure in the chest. The exaggerated pressure imbalance creates a tendency for acids to back up from the stomach into the esophageal tract.

    Esophageal Valve

    • Physiologically, breathing issues make it harder for people with asthma to keep the esophageal valve closed.

    Bronchial Nerve Stimulation

    • When acid backs up into the bottom of the esophagus, it can stimulate the bronchial nerve. This causes the airways to narrow, triggering asthma symptoms.

    Non-Acid Reflux

    • Non-acid reflux is a reflux condition not directly caused by acid. It occurs higher in the esophagus and spills directly into the upper airways, irritating the respiratory tract and triggering asthma symptoms such as wheezing.

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