The Connection Between Indigestion and Breathing Problems

When someone is diagnosed with GERD or acid reflux disease, they are already well aware of many of the symptoms. They probably experience upset stomach, acid pain in the esophagus and throat, and they may already know that they need to adjust their diet, eat smaller meals and take some form of medication. What might surprise them is that there are other impacts that GERD can have, and one of those factors is the lungs. There are many people that have indigestion and breathing has become a problem for them. When a person isn't aware of the connection between GERD and breathing things can become very scary.

Most patients are aware that acid from the stomach can back up into the throat, mouth and even make it as far as the sinuses. What many don't realize however, is that it can seep into the lungs as well (called aspiration), causing damage and bringing on a host of problems.

People suffering with uncontrolled reflux often experience wheezing and other breathing difficulties, and they may go through a myriad of tests that are inconclusive until the reflux and lung connection is found. Most people with GERD know they have it, but there is a small percentage that have no idea it is a problem for them, and that makes the connection harder to find.

The stomach is equipped to deal with its own acid, but the other parts of the body are not. Even so, there can be damage in the stomach from the acid. This usually is found in the form of an ulcer. Though acid causes damage to the esophagus it can handle it in small doses, with damage occurring only over time.

The lungs, however, are very vulnerable when acid reaches the tissues, and damage will follow quickly. The larynx (or voice box) will be the first place with noticeable damage. The larynx performs the role of opening and closing to allow air into the lungs.

People with acid moving through the voice box might experience coughing, a rough voice, and some pain in the area. When the acid leaks into the lungs (usually while lying down at night) the lungs react to protect themselves from the caustic substance.

Normally, in healthy lungs there are small hair-like cilia lining the lungs that helps move toxins and mucus out of the lungs keeping them clean. However, when acid is present the cilia will be replaced with a growth much like the lining of the esophagus to protect the lungs. When this happens, the lungs struggle to perform their self-cleaning role like they normally do, and breathing problems are a result.

Left untreated, lung problems can become very serious. Infections can develop and turn into pneumonia and it can also trigger asthma. If left untreated, this can lead to serious and permanent damage to the lungs.

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When it comes to indigestion and breathing problems, there should be immediate treatment to get the acid reflux under control. Though heartburn might seem like an inconvenience at first, it is best to get it treated as soon as possible before the acid causes irreversible damage to other systems and organs of the body. Medications can clear things up in early cases, but other intervention might be necessary for severe cases and to get to the root cause of why the reflux occurred in the first instance.

When It's More Than Just Heartburn - Acid Reflux Info

It is imperative that you learn the right acid reflux info to keep yourself from thinking that those more than occasional sessions of heartburn are just that.

In actuality, frequent heartburn may in fact be warning signs that you suffer from acid reflux. Without understanding what this is, or how it is caused, you might end up doing damage to your throat.

Acid reflux is not an illness that simply goes away, but it is something that you will need to be able to recognize so you can better treat the symptoms and get to the root cause. Using acid reflux information is the first step of many you will have to take.

To begin, you must realize what causes acid reflux. How else are you to learn how to deal with it?

To put it simply: your throat has a group of muscles located at the bottom called the lower esophageal sphincter (it is usually just called LES). This is what prevents acid reflux from occurring. When this ring of muscle is closed, no stomach acid can get through. It is far too tight, only opening to allow food to pass through. It should close again after that happens.

Acid reflux occurs when the LES muscles cannot close. Stomach acid is no longer blocked and makes its way past the LES and into your throat. This can do severe damage.

The skin of your throat is not as thick or well-protected as the lining of your stomach. Acid can easily irritate, scar, cause bleeding, etc. Thus, because acid reflux can be extremely harmful to you body, it is important for you to gather as much acid reflux knowledge as you can, to keep acid reflux from happening. The effects of acid reflux are harmful to your throat and can be more than just the annoyance of heartburn.

As was previously mentioned, the LES muscles are what block acid from coming into your throat. When they relax (refuse to close) is when you will have complications.

There are two things that will cause the problems.

One: the throat is relaxed due to food. Your body may reject certain items or may simply react to the ingredients. There are properties found in foods that can force your LES muscles to relax. Caffeine, coffee, tea and other items naturally work against the muscles, causing them to remain open when they should close.

Two: the throat is relaxed due to contractual difficulties. Your LES muscles may themselves be the problem, rather than food. They may not be able to operate as they need to. This could be due to a narrow throat, inflammation, etc. Acid reflux can be the result of a larger problem with this option, as further investigation into acid reflux info will determine.

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It is important to note, however, that the first cause is the most common. Abnormalities with the LES muscles are rare. Usually, the cause of acid reflux is your body's reactions to the food and drinks you consume. It will be up to you, then, to study yourself and see what happens when you have certain items.

You now know how acid reflux happens; you know why it happens. Using this acid reflux info is just a practical way to begin figuring out what you need to keep the effects from reoccurring.