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Does Asthma Cause Stomach Pain

What Types Of Asthma Are There

Asthma, allergies, constipation and stomach pain in a 7 1/2 year old girl

Healthcare providers identify asthma as intermittent or persistent . Persistent asthma can be mild, moderate or severe. Healthcare providers base asthma severity on how often you have attacks. They also consider how well you can do things during an attack.

Asthma can be:

  • Allergic: Some peoples allergies can cause an asthma attack. Molds, pollens and other allergens can cause an attack.
  • Non-allergic: Outside factors can cause asthma to flare up. Exercise, stress, illness and weather may cause a flare.

What Should I Do If I Have A Severe Asthma Attack

A severe asthma attack needs immediate medical care. The first step is your rescue inhaler. A rescue inhaler uses fast-acting medicines to open up your airways. Its different than your normal maintenance inhaler, which you use every day. You should only use the rescue inhaler in an emergency.

If your rescue inhaler doesnt help or you dont have it with you, go to the emergency department if you have:

  • Anxiety or panic.
  • Bluish fingernails, bluish lips or gray or whitish lips or gums .
  • Chest pain or pressure.

What Are The Signs Of A Severe Asthma Attack

Asthma may lead to a medical emergency.

Rescue inhalers can help you: otc inhalers

Seek medical help immediately for:

  • Fast breathing with chest retractions
  • Cyanosis which is tissue color changes on mucus membranes and fingertips or nail beds – the color appears grayish or whitish on darker skin tones and bluish on lighter skin tones
  • Rapid movement of nostrils
  • Ribs or stomach moving in and out deeply and rapidly
  • Expanded chest that does not deflate when you exhale
  • Infants with asthma who fail to respond to or recognize parents

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What Are The Symptoms Of Reflux Related Adult Onset Asthma

Patient may have the common symptoms of reflux, including heartburn, difficulty swallowing and regurgitation.

However, as a result of the close relationship between the esophagus and windpipe, many patients may present with uncommon breathing symptoms including:

  • Chronic cough
  • Pneumonia
  • Aspiration

Chronic aspiration of gastric acid and bile , which typically occurs at night when patients are lying down, can severely damage the lungs and vocal cords. Long-standing aspiration can even cause severe pulmonary disease such as pulmonary fibrosis.

Why Gerd May Trigger Asthma

Cough Treatment in Houston, TX 77067

One possibility is that the repeated flow of stomach acid into the esophagus damages the lining of the throat and the airways to the lungs. This can lead to breathing difficulties as well as a persistent cough.

The frequent exposure to acid may also make the lungs more sensitive to irritants, such as dust and pollen, which are all known to trigger asthma.

Another possibility is that acid reflux may trigger a protective nerve reflex. This nerve reflex causes the airways to tighten in order to prevent the stomach acid from entering the lungs. The narrowing of the airways can result in asthmatic symptoms, such as shortness of breath.

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What Actions Do You Take

Refer to your asthma action plan. For me, this would entail removing myself from whatever is causing my symptoms and using my rescue inhaler. If I need to, I can also take 1-3 albuterol breathing treatments. If it persists, Im allowed to use a steroid pack. If it still continues to persist, then I am to call my doctor in order to tweak my medicine regimen as necessary to get me back on track. Please note that my plan has been adjusted over time to meet my needs. Your plan should be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Spacers And Asthma Medication

For all people with asthma, it is recommended that;a;spacer device is used when;asthma;medication;is;delivered via a;puffer;. A spacer;is;a specially designed container that attaches to a puffer and has its own mouthpiece to breathe through.;

Using a spacer helps the medication to go where it is supposed to into the small airways in the lungs rather than ending up coating your childs mouth, tongue and throat. It is much more effective than using a puffer on its own.;Using a spacer with a puffer can reduce or;prevent side effects from inhaled medication.;

Babies and young children may need a spacer with a special face mask attached to inhale asthma medicines effectively. These fit tightly around your childs mouth and nose to make sure none of the medicine leaks out. Talk to your pharmacist for advice and to have your technique checked.;

Watch this Asthma Australia video which shows;you;how to use a spacer with a face mask.;

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Chest Pain After An Asthma Attack

So its 24 hours later. My breathing is normal, but my chest is sore and stiff. This is normal after an asthma attack, especially if it was bad enough that your accessory muscles were utilized to help yo inhale. They hurt because they normally aren’t used, and when they are used small muscles fibers on these muscles are torn, causing pain and stiffness the next day.

This is no different than the pain and soreness you feel after a good, strong workout, the kind of workout you do to make your muscles bigger and stronger. Of course, in our case, we dont want our accessory muscles getting bigger and stronger. Still, because I used them yesterday, they hurt today.

What is the treatment for this? ;As with the pain and soreness due to any other workout, this pain and soreness will go away in a day or two. If you want to take a Tylenol or something that is up to you and your doctor to determine. As for me, I just wait it out. Actually, as for me, I dont let myself get this bad anymore. Of course, if you are as familiar with this thing we call asthma as I am, sometimes it happens even when we dont plan on it. So thats why we take our daily asthma controller medicines, have asthma action plans, and avoid our asthma triggers the best we can.>

So, I shared my experience with asthma-related chest pain. For me, it is a common early warning sign. Every asthmatic is different. So, do you ever experience it? Let us know in the comments below?

Other Options For Pain Relief

Does Stress Or Anxiety Cause Pain

Of course, painkillers aren’t the only answer for many of life’s aches and pains. Many effective and safe alternatives don’t have any side effects at all.

  • Ice packs, for acute injuries like a sprained ankle, can keep down swelling and ease pain.
  • Heat — with a hot towel or heating pad — can be helpful for treating chronic overuse injuries.
  • Physical activity can help reduce some kinds of discomfort, such as arthritis pain.
  • Relaxation — with techniques like yoga or meditation — may reduce pain. Biofeedback may help as well. These approaches are best for pain that’s made worse by stress, like tension headaches.
  • Nontraditional techniques with low risks — like acupuncture — benefit some people.

So remember: Pain relief doesn’t only come from a pill bottle.

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Treatment For Asthma Emergencies In Children

An asthma attack can quickly become an asthma emergency, but if you take quick action, you can reduce the risk of this happening. So, if the symptoms of an asthma attack appear, follow your childs asthma action plan.;

If your child is experiencing a;severe or life-threatening asthma attack, call triple zero for an ambulance and then start asthma first aid.:;

  • Sit the child upright.;
  • Give;4;puffs of reliever medication , taking;4;breaths for each puff. Use a spacer and mask if one is available.;
  • Wait;4;minutes if the child still cannot breathe normally, give;4;more puffs.;
  • Continue to give;4;separate puffs of reliever medication, taking;4;breaths for each puff, every;4;minutes until the ambulance arrives.;

Can Acid Reflux Cause Asthma

Patients with asthma are known to experience GERD and are likelier to develop acid reflux than people without asthma. This is because acid reflux can cause damage to the esophagus, leading to chronic coughing.

Overproduction of acid and constant exposure to stomach contents could also compromise the lungs, making it more susceptible to irritants like dust.;

Developing Asthma Due to GERD

Its not just asthmatic patients who can be affected by GERD. Turns out that patients who are non-asthmatic can have respiratory problems due to reflux symptoms.;

Wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty are tell-tale signs of asthma. Commonly diagnosed in childhood, adults can also develop asthma late in their lives due to a variety of reasons. Some patients can develop asthmatic symptoms while others go on to experience chronic asthma symptoms and eventually develop adult asthma.;

Asthma can be caused by a variety of stimuli including exposure to allergens and persistent flu. Doctors tend to identify acid reflux, or GERD in particular, as the cause for asthma when:

  • Asthma symptoms worsen after a meal
  • Asthma begins during adulthood, after the patient experiences reflux symptoms
  • Asthma doesnt get better with traditional asthma treatments;

Is It Always Serious?

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When To Seek Emergency Medical Attention

You usually wont need to call an ambulance or visit an emergency room for burning in your chest.

But if youre experiencing any of the following, the burning in your chest may be a sign of a heart attack or dangerously abnormal heart rhythm:

  • squeezing, fullness, pain, burning, or pressure in the middle or left side of your chest
  • pain that spreads to your jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, or back
  • shortness of breath

40 percent of U.S. adults, its a very common reason for this symptom.

You experience heartburn when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. This is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. A band of muscle at the bottom of your esophagus normally closes when youre not eating to keep food and acid inside your stomach. If it relaxes prematurely, acids can back up into your esophagus.

In heartburn, the burning feeling often begins after youve eaten, or at night. It may get worse when you lie down or bend over. You might also have a sour taste in your mouth.

Here are a few other common conditions that can cause burning sensations in your chest.

How Common Is Chest Tightness In People With Asthma

Severe Heartburn And Asthma Often Go Hand In Hand: What ...

In the emergency department survey of people with asthma, 91% reported feeling chest tightness.3 Chest pain was less common. It occurred in about 76% of people.

Asthma-related chest tightness often occurs during exercise or at night.2 If your history and physical exam suggest that you have asthma, your provider may ask you to do spirometry to confirm the diagnosis. Spirometry is an important lung function test to evaluate how much and how quickly you can exhale air. The test is usually done before and after taking a medication that opens the airways . Asthma is likely if medications are able to open the airways.

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Learn Your Asthma Symptoms And Signs

And make sure that you share them with others around you. This will come in handy and can be used as part of your asthma action plan to help you decide what actions to take. Be sure to listen to others as they try to help you decide what actions to take. This is the best plan for keeping your breathing easy.

Why Asthma May Trigger Gerd

Just as GERD can make asthma symptoms worse, asthma can exacerbate and trigger symptoms of acid reflux. Pressure changes that occur inside the chest and abdomen during an asthma attack, for example, are believed to aggravate GERD.

As the lungs swell, the increased pressure on the stomach may cause the muscles that usually prevent acid reflux to become lax. This allows stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.

Heartburn is the main GERD symptom that adults face. In some people, GERD can occur without causing heartburn. Instead, symptoms may be more asthmatic in nature, such as a chronic dry cough or difficulty swallowing.

Your asthma may be connected to GERD if:

  • it began in adulthood
  • symptoms get worse following a large meal or exercise
  • symptoms occur while drinking alcoholic beverages
  • symptoms happen at night or while lying down
  • asthma medications are less effective than usual

It can be difficult to identify symptoms of GERD in children, especially if theyre very young. Infants under age 1 will often experience symptoms of acid reflux, such as frequent spitting up or vomiting, with no harmful effects.

In general, infants and young children with GERD will:

  • become irritable
  • arch their backs often
  • refuse to eat

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma Types

  • coughing, and
  • difficulty speaking.
  • Symptoms may occur during the day or at night. If they happen at night, they may disturb your sleep.

    Wheezing is the most common symptom of an asthma attack.

  • Wheezing is a musical, whistling, or hissing sound with breathing.
  • Wheezes are most often heard during exhalation, but they can occur during breathing in .
  • Not all asthmatics wheeze, and not all people who wheeze are asthmatics.
  • Current guidelines for the care of people with asthma include classifying the severity of asthma symptoms, as follows:

  • Mild intermittent: This includes attacks no more than twice a week and nighttime attacks no more than twice a month. Attacks last no more than a few hours to days. Severity of attacks varies, but there are no symptoms between attacks.
  • Mild persistent: This includes attacks more than twice a week, but not every day, and nighttime symptoms more than twice a month. Attacks are sometimes severe enough to interrupt regular activities.
  • Moderate persistent: This includes daily attacks and nighttime symptoms more than once a week. More severe asthma attacks occur at least twice a week and may last for days. Attacks require daily use of quick-relief medication and changes in daily activities.
  • Severe persistent: This includes frequent severe attacks, continual daytime symptoms, and frequent nighttime symptoms. Symptoms require limits on daily activities.

    The exact cause of asthma is not known.

    Acid Reflux Or Heartburn

    GERD Symptoms

    Youre more likely to get acid reflux or heartburn;if you have asthma – especially if your asthma is severe or difficult to control.

    This is where acid from the stomach leaks out of the stomach up into the oesophagus .

    You might get a burning feeling in your chest after eating, a bad taste in the mouth, and find it hard to swallow.

    If you keep getting acid reflux or heartburn, its known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease .

    GORD and obstructive sleep apnoea are linked too, so you may have both at the same time.

    How GORD can affect your asthma

    If you have;asthma and GORD, you need to keep a closer eye on your asthma symptoms. They could get worse because of stomach acid irritating your airways.

    The things that make heartburn worse – being overweight, drinking alcohol, smoking, and stress – are all common asthma triggers too.

    Although its not yet clear whether treating acid reflux improves asthma symptoms, there is some evidence to say it might improve them for some people.

    How to lower your risk of symptoms

    • Ask your GP or pharmacist about medicines for acid reflux
    • Keep a food diary to see what makes it worse
    • Ask for help with losing weight
    • Stop smoking

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    Arm Pain: Heartburn Or Something Else

    Heart attack survivors often recount their first symptom as a heartburn-like sensation. Many patients explicitly use the word heartburn when recounting their cardiac experience. Patients often realize that their heartburn is in fact not reflux-related but heart-related when:

    • There is a pain radiating up the arm, specifically the left arm
    • They have no history of acid reflux
    • There is a burning sensation in the chest
    • They have not eaten anything prior to the pain;
    • The pain doesnt go away with antacid;

    If your heartburn symptoms dont go away after taking an antacid, and are accompanied by arm pain and back pain, we suggest going to an emergency facility immediately to get medical help.;

    How Do They Affect Each Other

    Its not yet clear why reflux and asthma occur together or if one causes the other. However, it is known that they can affect each other, making each condition worse in something of a vicious circle.

    In some cases, acid may be stimulating the nerves in your esophagus. This may trigger the nerves to tell your esophagus and larynx to protect itself from the acid. Mucous production may increase and a cough reflex may also be triggered. In other cases, acid directly injures the lining of your throat, airway, and lungs, which makes breathing difficult and causes a cough, or causes an inflammatory reaction in the lower airway, creating an asthma attack, Dr. Kessler said.

    On the other hand, it is possible for asthma medicines to make your symptoms worse. This is most likely to occur with the asthma drug theophylline. Inhaled steroids used for asthma may increase symptoms that are similar to LPR.

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    Can Acid Reflux Cause Dizziness

    Dizziness and acid reflux are rarely associated with each other. However, personal accounts show that acid reflux, specifically GERD can also lead to dizziness in patients. This dizziness is often characterized as lightheadedness, weakness, and a temporarily blurry vision.;

    Dizziness and Acid Reflux: Is There a Link?

    While dizziness is not often listed as a common symptom of acid reflux, a study suggests that there is a link between peripheral vertigo and acid reflux.;

    Scientists suggest that patients who experience dizziness alongside their acid reflux may be due to gastric acids irritating the ear, which could lead to ear infections.;

    The study reported that 77.6% of patients with peripheral vertigo were also diagnosed with acid reflux compared to 26% of patients without reflux symptoms.;

    Although further studies are required to finalize the findings, the researchers suggest that reflux contents such as Hydrochloric acid and pepsin could get into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and affect the ear directly. This can cause tinnitus or a perceived ringing of the ears.;

    Another way acid reflux could cause dizziness is through bacterial infection. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori can travel further up the esophagus through reflux contents and reach the upper respiratory tract. This could cause scarred ear drum , leading to dizziness.;

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