Esophageal Sphincter

The esophagus is a muscular tube that is around 10 inches long which connects the back of the mouth to the stomach.  In the act of swallowing, food begins its passage through this portion of the alimentary canal to undergo digestive processing.  The movement of food from the esophagus into the stomach is controlled by the opening and closing of a muscular ring called the cardiac sphincter.

The most important function of the esophagus is to maintain stomach stuffs such as food, acid and bile.  The function of the esophagus is maintained through the help of two muscles or regulators known as the upper and lower esophageal sphincters.  However, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is considered as the vital of the two muscles because it has the one that keep away the stomach contents from moving back and forth from the stomach into the esophagus.

How LES Functions

The lower esophageal sphincter is situated underneath the esophagus.  It is considered as the soaring force among the esophagus and stomach.  It is comprised of muscles at the base of the esophagus and diaphragm.  By the time it closes, no amount of food and juices or other stomach contents can move up into the esophagus.

LES begins its work as the food moves down from the esophagus by the process known as esophageal contraction.  This contraction begins during the swallowing of food.  By the time swallowing comes to an end LES closes to maintain the food in the stomach.  Additionally, the gastro-esophageal flap valve at the LES usually closes automatically as soon as your stomach is full.

Temporary LES regenerations

It is a common occurrence for the LES to unlock irregularly even without the presence of swallowing.  This is known as transient LES relaxations which usually happen following a meal when your stomach is already filled with food and other stuff like air that was ingested.  Majority of these regenerations happen to make way for the air to come out of your stomach thus resulting to constant burping especially after meals due to the movement of food and stomach acid into your esophagus.  The occurrence of temporary LES regenerations usually happens when you are lying down.

If your esophagus functions normally, tough esophageal tightening begins to push back refluxed stomach stuff in the stomach to clean the esophagus from acid.  Additionally, your saliva has the capacity to counterbalance any gastric acid residue that may damage the inside layer of your esophagus.  In view of this, heartburn indications may not be experienced during transient LES relaxations.

A lot of individuals experience irregular heartburn. However individuals who encounter recurrent heartburn indications have the ability to go through regular transient LES relaxations unlike those people who do not have or have only irregular heartburn indications.  For individuals suffering serious GERD, their LES may be irregularly low pressured.

The function of the LES should be fully supported in order not to result to acid reflux.  You have to research more about this thing for you to understand what it is about.  Ask your health care provider about it.

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Asthma

Approximately, around 75% of individuals who have asthma will most likely experience regular heartburn or gastro-esophageal reflux disease.  This especially applies to those who have constant asthma and are already resistant to medication.  With this, it pays to check more on other acid reflux information.

Acid reflux is characterized by constant back and forth movements of stomach acids.  It starts from the stomach going to the esophagus.  Commonly, the acid stays in the stomach if the lower esophageal sphincter is still functioning very well. If the LES no longer performs its task properly the acid will create irritation known as heartburn.  If the condition is not addressed immediately it can lead to lung injury, esophagus ulcers, Barret’s esophagus and even esophageal cancer.

Relationship between asthma and acid reflux

Although research shows that there is a connection between asthma and acid reflux, there is still no conclusive evidence that will point out to the direct relationship between the two.  However, some data shows that some types of medicines used in treating asthma can also degenerate signs of acid reflux.  There are some examinations showing that acid reflux treatment is useful in alleviating the signs of asthma.

There are physicians who frequently theorize that acid reflux is a result of asthma especially when the condition starts during adulthood.   But with the statements above, it can be said that the two conditions may complement each other very well.  Simply put, when acid reflux is treated, there is a great chance that asthma can be treated as well.

The effects of acid reflux on asthma

As already stated, the exact connection between asthma and acid reflux has not yet been established.  In fact, there are lesser probabilities on the connection between the two conditions.  One probability is that acid discharge can result to damage on the inside layer of the throat, air passageways and lungs.  This results to breathing difficulty and frequent coughing.

Another probable connection between the two is that when acid goes up into the esophagus, the nerve reaction is activated.  This may result to shortness of breath.  Apart from these probable connections of the two conditions, there are also researches showing that acid reflux may heighten in individuals with asthma who were given bronchodilators.

What to do if you have acid reflux AND asthma

If you have both of these conditions, you must continue to take your asthma medication.  Also, consider staying away from things that will trigger the disorder.  The good news is you can prevent majority of the indications of acid reflux by just merely following your doctor’s advice and by adjusting your lifestyle.  There are simple techniques to get rid of the problem as long as you know how to follow instructions.

Since asthma and acid reflux are considered related to each other, it is important that you should keep records on all the things that can trigger the symptoms of both conditions.  Be guided by the facts in this acid reflux information as well.  This will help you attack the problems directly.

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