Frank talk from a nurse about asthma and asthma treatment
I was recently invited to participate in a teleseminar between 2 asthma/allergy experts and well-known bloggers on those topics because I write for http://Asthma.About.com. Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate, but it was a great hour of progressive info. Here is the link to it:
If your asthma is bad and no one knows why, some doctors would check whether you have or had acid reflux by conducting tests to measure the acidity in your gullet. In some studies, researchers have injected acid into the gullets of people with asthma, and it had a significant impact on their asthma and caused worse asthma symptoms.
Some people have a painful form of heartburn that can be relieved with antacid medicines. That is, special medicines which neutralise the acid. This is called acid reflux, and it happens mostly in people who are older and overweight. But it can happen in children and in all types of people.
Some research indicates that the symptoms of asthma may get worse when stomach acid rises up your gullet, which is what is happening when you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, or more commonly, acid reflux.
There is also evidence to suggest that people who have asthma get acid reflux more often than people without asthma. This is probably because of the big pressure changes in the chest during breathing in people with asthma. These high pressures could force liquid to travel the wrong way up the esophagus (your feeding tube). Asthma affects your breathing passages, which are separate from your feeding tube (esophagus), but the pressure changes in your chest affect both.
In these cases, asthma sufferers seem to lose out twice: they suffer from asthma and they may suffer from acid reflux more often than non asthma sufferers.
However, this is not the whole story. If acid reflux really was an important cause of asthma worsening, then treatments against acid reflux should make the asthma better, however, this is generally not the case.
In the meantime, if you have asthma and you also have acid reflux, it could just be that careful treatment of your reflux will make your breathing better. Your doctor will probably try to improve your lungs by also treating your digestive ailments.
Now that you’ve read this article, don’t stop learning all you can about acid reflux and asthma. Look up a few more resources on the topic. Soon you’ll discover you have all you ever need to know!
1. Is asthma contagious?
No, asthma is not a contagious disease–no one can “catch” it from you.
2. What are the most common causes of asthma attacks?
Allergies to things like dust mites or pet dander, infections like colds and flu, and irritants like smoke or breathing cold air may cause asthma symptoms. Many people have asthma after exercise like running or playing hard. Things that bother one person’s airways may not bother another person.
3. Are asthma medicines addictive?
No, the medicines used for asthma are not addictive. Be sure to take your medicines as directed and let your doctor know if you are having trouble taking your medicines.
4. Do asthma medicines lose their effect if they are taken for a long time?
No, your asthma medicine will not become less effective over time. Your doctor may adjust or change your medicines if your asthma symptoms change over time.
5. Are inhaled steroids dangerous?
The inhaled steroid medicines used to treat asthma are safe and effective. It is important to take your steroid medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The steroids used for asthma are NOT the same drug as the unsafe steroids some athletes take to build muscle.
6. What can I do if exercise causes my asthma symptoms?
Talk to your doctor about how to prevent asthma caused by exercise. Many people take medication before exercising to avoid asthma symptoms. You can also learn how to pace yourself if you seem to be having symptoms. If your asthma is under control, you should be able to take part in any activity you choose. Many Olympic athletes have asthma.
7. Will allergy shots help my asthma?
You will need to have allergy tests first. Allergy shots can help with certain allergies like pollen and grasses. You should also find out what you can do to avoid the things that you are allergic to.
8. My child has a lot of chest colds with coughing. Could he have asthma?
Talk to your child’s doctor about the colds and coughing. Some children who have a lot of colds with coughing, especially at night, do have asthma and should be treated for it.
9. What is a peak flow meter?
A peak flow meter is a device you can easily use at home to check how open your airways are. It can help you keep track of how well your asthma is controlled. You use it by taking a deep breath and blowing hard into a plastic piece that goes in your mouth. Then, write down the resulting number that appears on the meter. Peak flow meters are most helpful for people with moderate or severe asthma. Your doctor may ask you to use a peak flow meter regularly and keep track of the numbers.
10. Do babies who have wheezing when they have a cold ever “outgrow” their asthma?
Many children who have wheezing as a baby do not go on to have asthma as they get older. But other children continue to have asthma throughout their childhood. Children with allergies or a family history of asthma are more likely to continue having asthma as they get older.
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