Severe Asthma Triggers

Here are two little known asthma triggers which are important to note.

GERD and Asthma

If you have asthma, and also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), treating your GERD may cure your asthma. GERD occurs when stom­ach acids splash back into the esophagus , causing heartburn. About 80 percent of people with asthma also suffer from GERD, which may trigger an asthma attack by spilling stomach acid into your airways, or by making you more sen­sitive to other triggers.

If you find that your asthma is triggered by reflux, you can either have surgery to prevent the spilling of stomach acid, or take drugs that block the production of stomach acid. In one study of people with asthma and GERD, almost three-fourths of the people improved or eliminated their asthma by treating just their reflux.

People who are most likely to have reflux-related asthma are those who devel­oped asthma as an adult, have no family history of asthma, cough and wheeze a lot at night, and whose symptoms are worse after meals or exercise.

severe-asthma-triggers

Asthmatics and Tranquilizers

Tranquilizers may help you relax and sleep easier, but if you have asthma, tranquilizers may put you to sleep permanently. A recent study found that people who had used major tranquilizers had over a three times higher risk of death or near-death from asthma complications. If you have asthma, avoid using tranquilizers, if possible. A glass of warm milk and some soothing music might be safer.

Medical Sources:

Source:

Medical Tribune for the Internist and Cardiologist (36,22:6)

British Medical, Journal (312,7023:79)

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