How To Cure Shortness of Breath Due To Acid Reflux?

Breathing difficulty is one of the most threatening symptoms of acid reflux and the chronic form of the condition, which is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You can contact your nearby doctor if you need treatment for your health conditions. Many people have the same question: "Can acid reflux cause shortness of breath?" In this blog, you will explore more detailed information about this.

Can Acid Reflux Cause Shortness of Breath?

Yes, acid reflux can cause shortness of breath or breathing difficulties in some cases. Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is caused by the following reasons:

• Asthma
• Heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pneumonia and psychogenic problems are usually linked to anxiety.

Shortness of breath due to acid reflux causes stomach acid to creep into the esophagus. This stomach acid can enter the lungs, particularly during sleep, and cause swelling of the airways. It can lead to asthma reactions or cause aspiration pneumonia. Such airway damage can affect your breathing by causing coughing or wheezing.

Also Read: Is Pneumonia Contagious?

What do you know about acid reflux and its symptoms?

Most commonly, acid reflux occurs when you finish your meal. It causes an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest behind your breastbone. Additionally, acid reflux can also result in the following symptoms:

• A sudden pain in your chest when you bend over or lie down
• A bitter, or acidic taste in your throat
• A burning sensation in your throat
• Swallowing difficulty in the throat

All of these symptoms often worsen your health. The above symptoms can occur anytime after taking a meal. For instance, when you bend over or lie down too quickly after eating, Acid reflux can also cause health issues in your body, like swallowing or a feeling of food being stuck in your throat. This may cause interference in acid reflux breathing or reduce your ability to breathe effectively.

Also Read: How to dislodge food stuck in esophagus?

Is there any treatment for acid reflux and its deadly symptoms?

Acid reflux can be an uncomfortable health condition for anyone. It may even make you feel depressed if you experience it frequently. Fortunately, there are plenty of medicines for heartburn and it is manageable with a few careful steps. Your doctor or healthcare provider may help you with the diagnosis of your medical condition. They may advise you on the right medicines at the right time. However, we do not initiate the use of any kind of medicine or medical therapy without the consultation of a doctor. The treatment that may help you fight acid reflux includes:

1. Healthy Diet and lifestyle changes
2. Medication

Also read: Tips To Help You Breathe More Easily.

What are some beneficial tips to cure and fight shortness of breath due to acid reflux?

GERD produces the kind of symptoms that can hinder or disturb your sleep and may affect more people in the age group between 45 and 64. The common types of breathing difficulties that take place with the medical condition of GERD are known as Bronchospasm and aspiration. This GERD difficulty breathing can be life-threatening if not noticed timely and not treated well. There are small steps that you can take to prevent health conditions.

You can treat it whether your shortness of breath due to GERD is related strictly to acid reflux, or is due to GERD-related asthma. You often consider the most effective steps that help you to prevent GERD involve making some lifestyle changes.

Here are some beneficial tips that may help you with lifestyle changes:

1. Modify your diet - You can eat smaller, more frequent meals. You should also avoid bedtime snacks or meals.
2. Lose weight - If you are overweight, losing weight is an effective way to decrease acid reflux.
3. Identify triggers for GERD symptoms and avoid them. For example, if tomato sauce irritates your gut or if the spices like red pepper, green pepper, or other forms of seeds do not suit your body, or if they produce any acidic reactions making you burp acid in your mouth, try avoiding such things or foods.
4. Quit smoking - Regular smoking 2-3 times a day can worsen acid reflux and GERD symptoms. Therefore, you must quit smoking.
5. Reduce alcohol consumption - Alcohol consumption can aggravate acid reflux and GERD both symptoms. You should stop alcohol intake.
6. Elevate the head above the level of your bed by 4 to 8 inches. This will help the food in your stomach to remain intact in one place instead of traveling into your esophagus.
7. Avoid wearing tight belts and clothing - A tight clothing style can put pressure on your stomach and may hinder your stomach skin from breathing casually or normally.
8. Limit Stress- if you will continue to think about your problems, the problem will never be solved. Sometimes taking action and talking to someone can help you. If you feel stressed, try to reach out to a partner who may help you with a problem. Maybe, this discussion will help you reach the conclusion and solve the issue.
9. Avoid Fatty Food and Bad Cholesterol- sometimes, eating processed food on the streets often makes us stay active for a long time. If you eat such kinds of food regularly, the processed oil in them starts hurting your stomach. This produces more acid rather than consuming the stomach acid itself.
10. Avoid the conditions like elevated BMI, high blood pressure, and high sugar level- if you want to seek any kind of help, there is always a doctor and friend who must be there by your side. Also, there is nothing wrong with asking a question about anything to any doctor. If you feel like eating something is making you fat, or increasing your blood pressure or sugar level, try consulting your nearby doctor.

Such conditions can affect your tongue taste, how you manage your body, other health conditions, and most importantly the health of your stomach. If GERD/acid reflux symptoms are left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems, such as sleep disorders. You can also try home remedy for shortness of breath due to acid reflux.

Also Read: Pulmonary manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Conclusion

Shortness of breath due to acid reflux is not the only symptom. GERD/other forms of acid reflux can produce damage to many other body parts or organs because of the in-flow of stomach acid into them. These body organs include the esophagus, airway, and lungs. That's why it's important to seek treatment as this disease can impact your body organs and may damage them permanently.