Dr. Eisner Answers Your GERD Questions: What's a pH Test for?

A: Research shows that a large majority of heartburn sufferers experience symptoms at night. Nighttime GERD is a significant contributor to sleep problems. Acid contact with the esophagus at night can prevent or delay the onset of sleep. Additionally, once asleep, the sleep is broken up and not ideal.

Q: Is there an association between asthma and GERD?

A: It is estimated that more than 75 percent of patients with asthma also experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People with asthma are twice as likely to have GERD as people without the condition, and those who have a severe, chronic form that is resistant to treatment are most likely to also have GERD. Doctors most often look at GERD as the cause of asthma when asthma begins in adulthood; asthma symptoms get worse after a meal, after exercise, at night, or after lying down; or when asthma doesn't respond to the standard treatments. While it is unclear why the two diseases are associated, one possible explanation is that the acid flow causes injury to the lining of the throat, airways, and lungs, making inhalation difficult and causing a persistent cough. Another possibility is that when acid enters the esophagus, a nerve reflex is triggered that causes the airways to narrow in order to prevent more acid from entering. This will cause shortness of breath. If you have both asthma and GERD, it is important that you consistently take any asthma medications your doctor has prescribed. Additionally, it is imperative that your lung doctor knows about your symptoms of GERD and that your GI doctor knows about your symptoms of asthma.