Asthma as a cause for, rather than a result of, gastroesophageal reflux

Five patients who had nocturnal asthma attacks associated with clinical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux were studied to determine if antiasthma therapy could also benefit the reflux symptoms. The patients were treated in a randomized double blind fashion with either ephedrine or identical appearing placebo. During the treatment periods, the subjects maintained a daily record of asthma and reflux symptoms. Both asthma and reflux symptoms improved with active therapy. These results suggest that treatment of asthma may lessen the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux.