What should you know about GERD and asthma?

GERD happens when stomach contents move into the oesophagus and can irritate the throat or trigger coughing. In some people, reflux-related irritation may worsen asthma symptoms, particularly at night or after meals. Asthma itself involves sensitive, narrowed airways and may cause wheezing, cough, chest tightness or breathlessness. These symptoms can also arise from allergic rhinitis, house dust mite allergy, infection or other lung and heart conditions. Reflux symptoms alongside asthma do not prove that reflux is driving every flare.

Continue your asthma medicines and inhaler plan as prescribed, and keep a record of wheezing, night waking, meals and reflux symptoms. Avoid lying down soon after eating if that worsens symptoms, and ask whether the head of your bed should be raised. Do not replace a reliever inhaler with an acid-reducing medicine. A clinician can check inhaler technique, review triggers and decide whether reflux treatment or breathing tests are appropriate. Keeping allergy exposures under control may also reduce airway irritation.

Use your urgent asthma plan and seek emergency care if breathing becomes severely difficult, you cannot speak comfortably, your lips look blue or grey, or your reliever is not helping as instructed. Obtain urgent assessment for new chest pain, fainting or rapidly worsening chest tightness. Arrange a review when night-time cough, wheezing or reflux keeps returning, because treatment may need adjustment.

Ask whether your pattern suggests reflux, asthma, allergy or more than one issue. Check your inhaler technique and action plan, discuss whether a breathing test is needed, and ask how to judge improvement after any reflux treatment. Mention symptoms after meals, during sleep or with specific exposures.