Gastroesophageal reflux and respiratory disorders

Gastroesophageal reflux is an important cause of chronic respiratory diseases. Asthma in particular has an interesting and frequent association with GER. Asthma appears to promote GER, and GER can provoke asthma. It behooves the clinician to be aware of this association when treating patients with one of or both of these disorders. Any patient whose respiratory status is worsening without another recognized cause needs to have GER causation considered. Asthmatics whose disease requires systemic steroids or who cannot be controlled are suspect for GER provoked problems. Recognition and treatment of GER will often cause worthwhile improvement of the respiratory illness. This response can often be dramatic.