Yesterday we reported on a recent study from Imperial College London indicating that certain jobs – particularly those that involve exposure to household cleaners – can cause adult onset asthma. A recent study from the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) determined that an additional reason behind people developing this chronic respiratory disease later in life may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
As part of the study, published in the medical journal JAMA Surgery, doctors used a diagnostic technique called impedance testing to conclude that out of 27 patients with adult-onset asthma, 19 of them tested positive for GERD.
Furthermore, they determined that an operation that relieves heartburn, nausea, cough and sore throat in individuals with GERD also had a positive effect on their asthma symptoms. According to HeatlhCanal.com, doctors performed anti-reflux surgery on 20 patients who experienced symptoms such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, and 18 of them found relief from the chronic respiratory disease as a result.
Dr. Blair Jobe, one of the authors of the study, said that he and his colleagues have been able to observe an association between asthma and GERD for quite some time, but hadn’t been able to effectively diagnose patients and determine whether surgery would be beneficial.
“Hopefully this study will generate greater awareness among both patients and physicians about the role of GERD in adult-onset asthma , the availability of a potentially more reliable diagnostic therapy and perhaps most importantly, the possibility of a surgical remedy for their condition,” Dr. Jobe said.
While it’s always interesting to read about new advances in asthma treatments, there are simple actions you can take in your everyday life to reduce the presence of certain triggers that may exacerbate your symptoms. You may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier for your home and a car cabin air filter for your vehicle.
