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What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
I am an asthma sufferer but it was very miled and hardly i have to take medicine once or twice in a year. but recently a disease named as GERD has develop in me and since then the condition of asthma worsen and i have to take ashthalin inhaler regularly. I s any advive for me?
Fri, 4 Jul 2014
Hello.
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I would like to know your age. At present I assume that you are a young adult or a middle-aged adult.
GERD is Gastroesophageal reflux disease, in simple language, contents from your stomach enter esophagus in an abnormal way that causes any of the symptoms like regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, burning in chest or epigastrium, etc.
Normally a valve (sphincter) is present at lower end of esophagus which prevents this. Due to various factors, this preventing mechanism is disturbed and causes GERD.
As you are having asthma, it is important for you to know that: 1. GERD can worsen asthma. 2. Some asthma medications like asthalin, theophylline may contribute to worsening of GERD.
So at this stage, I would not suggest to take frequent asthalin inhaler by yourself. Of course, you will have to take when there is an acute exacerbation.
From my view, managing GERD is your first priority and it's quite simple. I would suggest you daily proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole or pantoprazole or rabeprazole or like) before meals for 6-8 weeks. Also I would suggest you to avoid spicy & hot foods, all caffeinated drinks, tea & alcohol. Please do not eat till full stomach. Also, I would suggest you to have light meals in evening, it will be best for you if you could manage a short relaxing evening-walk after evening meals. Please stop smoking if you smoke. Also, weight reduction will help you if you are obese.
Regarding asthma, as your asthma has worsen, I would suggest starting a regular preventer medication (such as inhaled corticosteroids or montelukast) which will decrease your need for asthalin inhalers. Hopefully, if you can control GERD, you will see an improvement in asthma control also. I would suggest you to consult a physician/pulmonologist for managing asthma who will suggest appropriate preventer medicine after detailed history & examinationand explain how to use it.
Both GERD and asthma take some time to improve, so please take your medications regularly.
Wish you a fast recovery and best of the health.
Regards.
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I would like to know your age. At present I assume that you are a young adult or a middle-aged adult.
GERD is Gastroesophageal reflux disease, in simple language, contents from your stomach enter esophagus in an abnormal way that causes any of the symptoms like regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, burning in chest or epigastrium, etc.
Normally a valve (sphincter) is present at lower end of esophagus which prevents this. Due to various factors, this preventing mechanism is disturbed and causes GERD.
As you are having asthma, it is important for you to know that: 1. GERD can worsen asthma. 2. Some asthma medications like asthalin, theophylline may contribute to worsening of GERD.
So at this stage, I would not suggest to take frequent asthalin inhaler by yourself. Of course, you will have to take when there is an acute exacerbation.
From my view, managing GERD is your first priority and it's quite simple. I would suggest you daily proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole or pantoprazole or rabeprazole or like) before meals for 6-8 weeks. Also I would suggest you to avoid spicy & hot foods, all caffeinated drinks, tea & alcohol. Please do not eat till full stomach. Also, I would suggest you to have light meals in evening, it will be best for you if you could manage a short relaxing evening-walk after evening meals. Please stop smoking if you smoke. Also, weight reduction will help you if you are obese.
Regarding asthma, as your asthma has worsen, I would suggest starting a regular preventer medication (such as inhaled corticosteroids or montelukast) which will decrease your need for asthalin inhalers. Hopefully, if you can control GERD, you will see an improvement in asthma control also. I would suggest you to consult a physician/pulmonologist for managing asthma who will suggest appropriate preventer medicine after detailed history & examinationand explain how to use it.
Both GERD and asthma take some time to improve, so please take your medications regularly.
Wish you a fast recovery and best of the health.
Regards.
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