Did you know that your asthma could be linked to your Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

Truth is everything is connected when it comes to your health and environment, only some things are more obvious than others.

So let?s take a closer look!

As you may already know asthma has been plaguing children ever since the industrial age started spewing pollutants high into out atmosphere and now more than a hundred and fifty years later, asthma has approached epidemic proportions.

Yet it may surprise you to learn these days our children are coming down with acid reflux, and what?s even more shocking is now they?re developing Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) too.

Now imagine suffering from both conditions . . . whether you?re a child or an adult you?re in some deep trouble.

In fact, the percentage of GERD in people with asthma is estimated to range between 34% and 80%.

The Good News Is . . .

Leading medical experts are finding that by treating the children?s GERD, they are also helping their asthma too.

So what is the hidden connection between asthma and GERD?

There are 2 ideas medical researchers suspect may explain the link:

1) Stimulation of the vagus nerve from bronchospasm

2) Inhaling micro-particles of gastric acid

The verdict is the most likely cause of asthma and GERD is because of the vagus nerve triggering a bronchospasm. The reason being after prolonged acid reflux attacks in the throat, gastric acid erodes the protective mucus layer, exposing the vagus nerve endings.

Let me explain further . . .

The vagus nerve runs from the brain, along the jugular veins, onto the carotid arteries deep inside your neck, then into your chest and deeper into your abdomen. Besides connecting all your organs together, the vagus nerve transmits sensory information of the health of these organs back to the Central Nervous System (CNS).

80-90% of the nerve cells in the vagus nerve system are sensory nerves that keep the brain informed.

It?s interesting to note that this deep running, all important vagus nerve is the main conduit for information from the gut to the brain. In fact, seeing how Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder gone out-of-control, it?s clear to see how GERD and asthma are co-related.

Seriously, considering up to 80% of the time people suffer from both conditions there had to be a simple explanation.

The Brain of the Gut

The word is the gut has an elaborate brain of its own called the ?enteric nervous system? made of 100 million neurons.

Apparently the brain in your gut has vital nerve cells bathed and nurtured by the same neurotransmitters and proteins as the brain in your head.

So know that we all know the vagus nerve is reacting to the acid reflux burning through the flesh in the throat, it all makes a lot more sense, doesn?t it? Especially since learning the gut?s brain sends and receives electrical impulses, records experiences and even responds to emotions.

This whole discovery of the hidden connection between how children?s asthma attacks get better when the gastroesophageal and acid reflux disease are addressed is leading us into a new field of medicine called ?neurogastroenterology.?

Clearly when there is a gastrointestinal problem like acid reflux, or heartburn, it has an impact on the rest of your body and when stomach acid eats through the inside of your neck, the nerves are going to jump, triggering a constriction of the airways.

Now add to that the 2^nd theory above as a factor as well. If a child, or a person of any age has gastric acid splashing into their throat, mouth and sinus cavities, there?s no doubt the caustic gas and its micro-particles are going to get into the lungs.

Imagine how bad it feels to have something go down your wind pipe, but that wouldn?t hardly compare to having acid reflux droplets shower down your bronchial tubes now would it?

If you or someone you know if suffering from GERD and asthma, help them by educating yourself about Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM), because that?s the new frontier, that?s where all the hidden connections are being made.

Live well,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

Acid reflux disease can be referred to as either acid reflux, or the more severe diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or ?GERD.? Both denote a breakdown of the esophageal sphincter’s ability to properly close, allowing acid to come up from your stomach into your esophagus, throat and mouth. This is a wholly unnatural condition, since your stomach is the only body part properly equipped to withstand this corrosive stomach acid. The breakdown of the tissues in your upper gastrointestinal tract and throat causes heartburn pain, frequent swallowing, possible regurgitation of acid, the breakdown of tooth enamel, hoarseness, bad breath, frequent burping, and stomach pain. Occasionally, even chest tightness and GERD will go hand in hand.

Several factors contribute to this chest tightening feeling. Peripheral nerves in the esophagus and surrounding tissue can be aggravated by this condition, causing a feeling of tightness. The nerves surrounding the lungs can be agitated, causing a constriction of the airway, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest cavity. While this symptom is not necessarily life-threatening, it can be alarming, and is one of many anxiety-causing symptoms of GERD and acid reflux.

When you go to a doctor to have either GERD or acid reflux diagnosed, you may be recommended a prescription medication that fits your particular symptoms, or you may request your doctor to direct a more natural approach to healing. Know that many of the popular over-the-counter remedies including Prevacid, Prilosec, and Zantac are meant to be taken only for two weeks, and then a lengthy break is recommended before starting again. You might try Rolaids or Tums, but as with other over-the-counter remedies, long-term use is ill-advised.

There are many common sense solutions that you can use on your own to combat the symptoms of chest tightness and GERD. First you must focus on treating the actual cause, which is the esophageal sphincter-failure due to too much acid in the stomach. Cutting back on the causes of excess acid is one path, including cessation of alcohol, caffeine and smoking. Also included in your ?don’t? list is salt, which has been shown to act as an acid producer. Other ways to combat the symptoms include limiting your food intake to smaller meals per sitting, since heavy meals seem to lead to increased production of stomach acid. Red apples have proven to be an effective natural remedy, along with many old fashioned ?cures? including drinking plenty of milk (which may coat your stomach for short-term relief but in the long run cause additional acid production). Instead, try plain crackers with water, or Milk of Magnesia for infrequent flare-ups.

Keep your doctor informed to changes in your diet, and let him or her know if your symptoms lessen or increase. They need to know details before recommending a different course of action, which may include either changing your medication or ceasing it altogether. Of course, your best tool against this disease and its attendant symptoms is knowledge. Learn as much as you can about what to do and what not to do for chest tightness and GERD, and diligently follow a plan to ensure relief from your suffering.

If you suffer from acid reflux or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), then you are already aware of its painful effects. Even more disruptive than pain, it can cause a variety of unwanted physical and emotional responses. If you are a sufferer, you are familiar with the burning in your chest, upset stomach, nausea, and acid in your throat. Often, taking drugs such as Nexium, Tagamet, Omeprazole, Prevacid, Prilosec and Zantac provide only temporary relief. Indeed, these drugs are only intended to be taken for two weeks at a time, with a substantial break in between. Perhaps you’ve even been that person who constantly chews Tums or Rolaids, hoping for some relief from the burning. There is a psychological component to acid reflux that has been researched and documented. Researchers have determined that acid reflux and anxiety attacks may be related, simply because of the stress and terrible feelings it can cause.

This stress manifests itself in acid reflux sufferers as anxiety, which may even cause greater agitation of the esophagus, stomach and throat. Relaxation techniques have been shown to relieve acid levels in patients, which may be of benefit to anyone who is suffering not only from the acid reflux symptoms, but additional the anxiety and in some circumstances even panic attacks. The unwanted symptoms from acid reflux and anxiety attacks can be increased through lack of sleep. Acid back-flow, which occurs in the prone position one assumes when sleeping, can lead to emotional and psychological as well.

Anxiety can be felt as anxiousness, nervousness, sweating, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, anxious thoughts or actions, inability to sleep, or the feeling that the world is about to end. When you add a physical component such as acid reflux to this mix, you can aggravate both conditions, each feeding off the other, causing heightened symptoms. It can be severe, as the insomnia is caused by the acid that is flowing up into your throat and mouth. Severe burning may occur when stomach acid hits parts of the body it was never intended to meet. Stomach acid is corrosive and causes many problems when it is introduced into the body. This vicious cycle, however, can be abated.

Patients can be taught muscle relaxation techniques to combat the anxiety that aggravates acid reflux and GERD symptoms. Such relaxation eases the anxiety to the point where acid triggers are eased, thereby offering relief from further stomach and esophagus troubles. You can learn to relax your muscles and your emotional state to achieve peace of mind. A holistic approach to acid reflux treatment is possible with simple relaxation and stretching techniques. Acid reflux and anxiety attacks do not have to go hand in hand, but when they do, know that relief is available from a natural, easy-to-access source: your own body.

Today, there are many different remedies for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ? also called acid reflux. In this article, I will use the terms GERD and acid reflux interchangeably.

Some of these remedies simply provide temporary relief from the pain while others can provide a permanent GERD cure and prevent it from ever returning. Once you know how to look after your health and use natural acid reflux remedies as a part of your daily routine, you will never have to struggle with acid reflux pain again.

Natural Ways to Control and Cure GERD

You may not believe this, but laughter is actually a great way to treat and prevent GERD. Laughing acts as a natural remedy because the very act of laughing massages the inside of the esophagus and stomach, relaxing the muscles that cause reflux. So maybe its true ? laughter is the best medicine!

Another effective GERD treatment is to make a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Doing things like eating nutritious foods, avoiding items that cause acid reflux attacks, and eating smaller portions that are easier to digest will all help to greatly control the gastrointestinal processes.

There are many home remedies to help cure GERD, easing the pain and allowing your body the time it needs to heal itself. One of the more popular of these acid reflux remedies is apple cider vinegar. Mixed with water, this will provide your body with many essential nutrients to ensure health while increasing the amount of acid in your stomach. Ironically, more acid in your stomach means it will not have to churn as hard to digest food.

You can also elevate the head of your bed when you sleep. By placing wedges under the legs of the bed or using extra pillows, you keep your head elevated above your stomach. This forces the stomach acid to stay in the stomach, preventing it from seeping into the esophagus.

Other Tips and Tricks for Natural Acid Reflux Remedies

There are many more ways in which you can cure GERD. To learn the safest and most effective ways of controlling this painful ailment, please download our Acid Reflux Remedies Report. Our GERD remedy report is full of research-based remedies that are guaranteed to provide the results you want in a matter of hours.