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What Causes Increased Heart Rate And Shortness Of Breath While Suffering From GERD?
Question: I have been diagnosed with ibs and Gerd and have been taking PPIs-nexium and prevacid, ranitidine for the last eight to nine months. I have been coughing sporadically for about a year now but since I got sick in 12/14 the cough has gotten worse. I had a horrible chest congestion and took K-pac for three days in December. Since the illness, I have coughed more. I have also noticed heart rate problems, and had to go to the ER about two weeks ago due to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, nervousness. Even though I have been diagnosed with GERD, I do not have stomach pain, but have always had gas, bloating, a feeling of fullness, shortness of breath and fatigue. Heart burn has been mild never extreme. Dizziness has been sporadic but has become more prevalent in the last three to four months. When I went to the ER about two weeks ago, ECG and Cat Scan for lungs was completed. Both were okay other than I had an increased heart rate which did concern the ER doctor. Today I went for a heart scan and the radiologist said that when I held my breath, my heart rated increased instead of decreasing during the X-ray. I did realize that I did take a deep breath before holding my breath. My energy level is so bad that I can walk up a short flight of stairs and am exhausted. Can you give me some guidance? I am getting very concerned. Is this heart issues or digestive issues?
Also, I continue to wheeze a lot and sometimes feel like a lump in my throat. I also have noticed that I smother from my nose a lot here lately. I do also have some stuffy sinuses but not to the point of any mucous running from my nose. Eyes also are red and burn quite often.
Also, I continue to wheeze a lot and sometimes feel like a lump in my throat. I also have noticed that I smother from my nose a lot here lately. I do also have some stuffy sinuses but not to the point of any mucous running from my nose. Eyes also are red and burn quite often.
Brief Answer:
GERD and IBS, Needs Management
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. As far as your symptoms are concerned let me reassure you its not heart problem. Its all because of GERD. Let me explain
1) Chronic coughing
Its commonest and likeliest manifestation. Reflux of acid causes airways irritation and leads to dry irritant cough. Prolonged persistent cough is followed by mucous and phlegm in it and involves the lower respiratory tract as well. Thus comes the (2) wheezes and all the lump like feeling in the throat. (3) Dizziness is also due to this as throat connects to the ear through eustachian tube and one affected leads to another affected.
As far as (4) increasing heart rate is concerned, that is due to normal phenomenon. Holding a deep breath induces valsalva maneuver and that is associated with increased heart rate. All normal physiology. Plus anxiety is also playing its role.
One more thing you forgot to mention is the weight problem which i bet you have. BMI above 25 is the commonest cause of resilient GERD. So start losing weight and our symptoms will fade. Avoiding chocolates and sweets, coffee, stimulants, cola, beverages, alcohol and binge eating are the must needed jobs. Eat small frequent meals instead of large ones. Stay upright for at least 2 hours after the last meal. Keep the head side of the bed elevated for at least 8 inches.
As far as IBS is concerned, that too is connected to GERD and causing it to worsen. Your constipation issue needs to be fixed. Plenty of fluids at least of 12 glasses a day. Constant use of some laxative like lactulose or senna or olive / castor oil etc.
Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can help control constipation. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits (raspberries, pears, apples), fresh vegetables (carrots, leafy greens), wheat XXXXXXX and whole-grain breads and cereals. Beans such as kidney, pinto, and garbanzo are also high-fiber foods. (So are vegetables such as peas, cabbage, and broccoli.) But they should probably be avoided if gas is one of your symptoms.
If you have trouble getting enough fiber in your diet, you can take a fiber supplement such as psyllium (for example, Metamucil) or wheat dextrin (for example, Benefiber). If you take a fiber supplement, start with a small dose. Then very slowly increase the dose over a month or more. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water.
You can take steps to make it less likely that certain foods will cause symptoms. For example, avoid or limit gas-producing foods (including beans and cabbage), sugarless chewing gum and candy, caffeine, and alcohol.
Getting more exercise can make your symptoms less severe. Exercise also can improve your quality of life (especially how well you sleep, your energy level, and your emotional and social life).
Getting more exercise doesn't have to be hard. In one study, people with IBS increased their activity level by adding 20 to 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, 3 to 5 days a week. They did activities such as swimming, jogging, cycling, and walking.
In the group that did not increase their activity level, more people had an increase in their IBS symptoms. These people weren't active, and their symptoms got worse.
If stress seems to trigger your symptoms, these tips may help you better manage stress and avoid or ease some IBS episodes:
Keep a diary or journal of your symptoms as well as life events that occur with them. This often helps clarify the connection between symptoms and stressful occasions. After you have identified certain events or situations that bring on symptoms, you can find ways to deal with these situations.
Get regular, vigorous exercise (such as swimming, jogging, or brisk walking) to help reduce tension.
A hobby or an outside activity can provide a break from stressful situations.
Find a support group. In a support group, you can share with other people who have IBS.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, hypnotists, counselors, social workers, and biofeedback specialists can provide methods for coping with stress.
I hope it helps. Consult your gastroenterologist and continue your medications. I hope it helps.
Take very good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
GERD and IBS, Needs Management
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. As far as your symptoms are concerned let me reassure you its not heart problem. Its all because of GERD. Let me explain
1) Chronic coughing
Its commonest and likeliest manifestation. Reflux of acid causes airways irritation and leads to dry irritant cough. Prolonged persistent cough is followed by mucous and phlegm in it and involves the lower respiratory tract as well. Thus comes the (2) wheezes and all the lump like feeling in the throat. (3) Dizziness is also due to this as throat connects to the ear through eustachian tube and one affected leads to another affected.
As far as (4) increasing heart rate is concerned, that is due to normal phenomenon. Holding a deep breath induces valsalva maneuver and that is associated with increased heart rate. All normal physiology. Plus anxiety is also playing its role.
One more thing you forgot to mention is the weight problem which i bet you have. BMI above 25 is the commonest cause of resilient GERD. So start losing weight and our symptoms will fade. Avoiding chocolates and sweets, coffee, stimulants, cola, beverages, alcohol and binge eating are the must needed jobs. Eat small frequent meals instead of large ones. Stay upright for at least 2 hours after the last meal. Keep the head side of the bed elevated for at least 8 inches.
As far as IBS is concerned, that too is connected to GERD and causing it to worsen. Your constipation issue needs to be fixed. Plenty of fluids at least of 12 glasses a day. Constant use of some laxative like lactulose or senna or olive / castor oil etc.
Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can help control constipation. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits (raspberries, pears, apples), fresh vegetables (carrots, leafy greens), wheat XXXXXXX and whole-grain breads and cereals. Beans such as kidney, pinto, and garbanzo are also high-fiber foods. (So are vegetables such as peas, cabbage, and broccoli.) But they should probably be avoided if gas is one of your symptoms.
If you have trouble getting enough fiber in your diet, you can take a fiber supplement such as psyllium (for example, Metamucil) or wheat dextrin (for example, Benefiber). If you take a fiber supplement, start with a small dose. Then very slowly increase the dose over a month or more. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water.
You can take steps to make it less likely that certain foods will cause symptoms. For example, avoid or limit gas-producing foods (including beans and cabbage), sugarless chewing gum and candy, caffeine, and alcohol.
Getting more exercise can make your symptoms less severe. Exercise also can improve your quality of life (especially how well you sleep, your energy level, and your emotional and social life).
Getting more exercise doesn't have to be hard. In one study, people with IBS increased their activity level by adding 20 to 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, 3 to 5 days a week. They did activities such as swimming, jogging, cycling, and walking.
In the group that did not increase their activity level, more people had an increase in their IBS symptoms. These people weren't active, and their symptoms got worse.
If stress seems to trigger your symptoms, these tips may help you better manage stress and avoid or ease some IBS episodes:
Keep a diary or journal of your symptoms as well as life events that occur with them. This often helps clarify the connection between symptoms and stressful occasions. After you have identified certain events or situations that bring on symptoms, you can find ways to deal with these situations.
Get regular, vigorous exercise (such as swimming, jogging, or brisk walking) to help reduce tension.
A hobby or an outside activity can provide a break from stressful situations.
Find a support group. In a support group, you can share with other people who have IBS.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, hypnotists, counselors, social workers, and biofeedback specialists can provide methods for coping with stress.
I hope it helps. Consult your gastroenterologist and continue your medications. I hope it helps.
Take very good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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