GERD is simply the chronic situation in which the stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. And ‘YES’ GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux can cause asthma and vice versa is also true. It is estimated almost 75% of asthmatics also experience GERD. People with asthma are twice likely to have GERD as compared to people without asthma.

Physicians believe that there is a strong connection between GERD and asthma since GERD may worsen asthma and often causes difficult-to-control asthma. And in reverse case, GERD can make asthma worse if the acid is inhaled onto the breathing tubes or by nerve reflexes that connects swallowing and the breathing tubes. In this condition you aspirate the stomach acid into your airways which may result in coughing difficult inhalation often causes persistent cough.

However the worst part comes from the inflammation of bronchial tubes due to inhaled acid which worsen the symptoms of asthma. Even some studies say that acid applied onto esophagus cause bronchospasm in asthmatics. Also the fact that treating GERD also relieves asthma symptoms cannot be denied. If you have both asthma and GERD it becomes essential to take the doctor prescribed medications for asthma consistently and stay away from the asthma triggers.