Gastric asthma symptoms

Asthma is an airway condition in which symptoms can vary over time and may be triggered by exercise, allergens, infections, smoke, or fumes. Reflux can irritate the throat and may provoke cough or worsen airway symptoms, particularly after meals or when lying down. Wheezing and chest tightness can occur with asthma, but they can also have other causes. Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite allergy may contribute to airway symptoms, so the timing and setting matter.

Note whether symptoms follow meals, night-time lying down, exercise, dust, smoke, or cooking fumes. Take prescribed asthma treatment exactly as directed and check inhaler technique at review visits. Avoid smoke and improve ventilation around strong fumes. If reflux symptoms occur, smaller meals and staying upright after eating may help. Do not replace asthma treatment with reflux remedies; a clinician may need to assess both problems.

Follow your asthma action plan when wheezing, cough, or chest tightness starts. Seek urgent help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably, your reliever is not helping as advised, or you become drowsy, faint, or blue around the lips. Arrange a review for night symptoms, repeated flare-ups, or symptoms that are changing after meals.

Do my symptoms fit asthma, reflux, or both? Could allergies or household exposures be contributing? Is my inhaler technique correct, and what should I do during a flare-up?