Treating Reflux Controls Asthma Symptoms

(from Dr Sandra Cabot's newsletter)

Research shows that eliminating gastro-oesophageal reflux improves asthma symptoms and lung function in asthmatics.

Many asthmatics suffer with gastro-oesophageal reflux that they are not aware of, and this worsens their asthma symptoms. Typical symptoms of reflux include heartburn, reflux of acidic liquid or food into the mouth, a sour taste in the mouth and nausea. But sometimes the only symptom of reflux is a cough. Research has shown that many asthmatics who develop a cough think that their asthma is getting worse, when in reality they have a digestive problem.

In one study thirty patients who had difficult to control asthma symptoms were given the reflux drug Zoton (lansoprazole) in a dose of 30mg per day. Zoton reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. They were given this drug whether they had reflux or not and remained on it for eight weeks. At the end of the study all of the patients were given a thorough examination and 17 of them were diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux. All 17 of these people experienced a significant improvement in their asthma symptoms.

A previous larger study found that the reflux drug Nexium (esomeprazole) significantly improved PEF and asthma symptoms in asthmatics with reflux. PEF stands for Peak Expiratory Flow; it measures the rate at which you can force air out of your lungs. It is typically compromised in asthmatics.

Thankfully there are more natural methods for eliminating reflux and controlling asthma symptoms. Drugs such as Zoton and Nexium only provide symptom relief while you take them and they reduce your ability to digest protein. If you can’t make enough hydrochloric acid in your stomach you can feel bloated and uncomfortable after you eat. You will also be more prone to gastro-intestinal infections, since hydrochloric acid has a disinfectant action in the stomach.

Both asthma and reflux are usually associated with poor digestion, which leads to food intolerances and allergies. Modifying the diet and correcting digestion offers big improvements for both conditions.

Here are our tips:

�?/FONT> Remove dairy products and gluten from your diet. This means you need to avoid all foods containing cow’s milk as well as wheat, rye, oats, barley and other foods containing gluten. These two foods are most commonly responsible for allergies and food sensitivities. In some people these foods aggravate asthma symptoms and cause digestive problems. You also need to avoid any food that you know upsets your digestion or asthma.

�?/STRONG> Take a digestive enzyme supplement. One reason people develop food sensitivities is because they don’t digest food thoroughly. This means that incompletely digested food molecules find their way into your bloodstream and set up an allergic reaction. A good digestive enzyme supplement contains protease, lipase and amylase, for the digestion of protein, fat and carbohydrate respectively. One capsule should be taken with each meal.

�?/STRONG> Slippery elm is soothing and healing to the entire lining of the digestive tract. It offers symptom relief for reflux and helps to heal inflamed tissue of the digestive tract. Slippery elm is available in capsule form for convenience and can be taken at a dose of 2 capsules three times a day before meals.

�?/STRONG> Increase the amount of omega 3 fats and reduce the amount of omega 6 fats you have in your diet. Modern diets are typically very high in omega 6 fats; they are found in most vegetable oil and margarine, and some is found in chicken, meat and eggs. Try to consume more omega 3 fats, which are found in fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables. Healthy vegetable oils to include in your diet include olive oil, flaxseed oil and organic, cold pressed coconut oil. Omega 6 fats promote inflammation in the body and omega 3 fats have an anti inflammatory effect. Excessive inflammation of the airways is the main feature of asthma.

�?/FONT> MSM is an organic form of sulphur that stands for Methyl Sulfonyl Methane. It is required by the body in large quantities in order to form proteins and connective tissue. MSM also has an anti inflammatory effect and helps to regulate tissue oxygenation; this makes it very useful for inflammatory lung disorders such as asthma. MSM is found in small amounts in vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and onion. It is also available in supplement form in a pleasant tasting powder.