Asthma also has a “cottage version”

  Asthma is a world-recognized medical problem, and is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the four most persistent diseases. There are about 100 million people with bronchial asthma worldwide, and the mortality rate is gradually increasing. According to the survey, there are at least 20 million asthma patients in China, and asthma has become a major chronic disease that seriously threatens people’s health. The study of the causes of bronchial asthma and the triggers of attacks has been an important clinical topic in respiratory disease. However, an important factor directly related to bronchial asthma, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), has not been recognized until recently, when the American Medical Tribune published articles entitled “GER makes bronchial asthma difficult to control” and “Heartburn may be a direct cause of some asthma” in 1996. It was pointed out that gastroesophageal reflux is an important direct cause and aggravator of bronchial asthma.  The main clinical observation is that the incidence of bronchial asthma combined with gastroesophageal reflux is very high, and the clinical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux include heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia, etc. A survey conducted by Canadian physician Stephen in 1996 showed that 77%, 55% and 24% of bronchial asthma patients had heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia, respectively. 84% of bronchial asthma patients had gastroesophageal reflux. A survey in a hospital in Tianjin found that 64% of asthma patients had gastroesophageal reflux.  Since the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux in asthma patients is so high, doctors should consider the possibility of combined gastroesophageal reflux in any bronchial asthma patient and give appropriate tests to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce misdiagnosis. A patient who comes to the clinic for asthma often does not initiate the symptoms of GERD and needs to be properly guided and questioned by the doctor.  The clinical symptoms of GER combined with asthma have some characteristics: for example, nocturnal asthma or nocturnal cough, choking, wheezing, hoarseness after waking up, all suggesting that GER occurred during sleep, but about 1/3 of people with asthma and GER do not have GI symptoms, which is clinically referred to as “asymptomatic reflux”, i.e. This is clinically referred to as “asymptomatic reflux”, meaning that the patient does not feel his or her esophageal reflux. The presence of GER in patients with bronchial asthma can only be confirmed by 24-hour pH monitoring of the esophagus. Although it is difficult to clarify the causal relationship between the two aggravating each other, it is certain that they affect each other. β2-adrenergic agonists, theophylline, steroids and other drugs for bronchial asthma have been studied and proven to cause and aggravate GER, while the presence of GER can make bronchial asthma worse. The presence of GER can make bronchial asthma recurrent and difficult to control well, especially for those with long duration of disease, high age, high dose of airway antispasmodics and consumption of spicy stimulants such as strong coffee and alcohol. Patients with poor dietary habits. The mechanisms may be: 1. Gastric reflux stimulates the afferent nerves of the esophageal vagus nerve and the vagal efferent via the airway, leading to bronchospasm; 2. A small amount of refluxed gastric acid is inhaled into the airway to make bronchospasm; or reflux increases the bronchial response and enhances the sensitivity of asthmatic patients to various triggers. On the other hand, the mechanisms by which asthma triggers GER are thought to be the following: (1) When asthma and GER, the use of airway obstruction and antispasmodic drugs can lead to damage of the esophageal mucosal barrier and aggravate GER.(2) In bronchospasm, hyperinflation of the lungs causes the diaphragm to drop, which reduces the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). (3) During an asthma attack, negative intrathoracic pressure increases, while intra-abdominal pressure increases, increasing the pressure gradient favoring the development of GER. (4) Bronchodilators can reduce: LES pressure. In view of the high incidence of GER in bronchial asthma, one should be alert to the clinical symptoms of GER, especially in those with recurrent and uncontrollable disease and steroid dependence, and should be given tests related to GER to further clarify the presence of GER. it should be noted that the presence of GER can sometimes be absent, and this can only be clarified by being alert to its associated factors and by further tests.  There is a causal relationship between asthma and GERD, affecting each other and forming a vicious circle. In addition to conventional asthma treatment, we actively target GERD reflux treatment by using H2 receptor blocker (H2as) ranitidine to reduce gastric acid secretion, alleviate reflux and improve asthma symptoms. The gastric motility drug domperidone not only improves lower esophageal sphincter tone (LESP), but also promotes gastric emptying. Coordinates the contraction of the pylorus. Anti-reflux treatment blocks the factors causing airway hyperresponsiveness and improves asthma symptoms in 70% of people with GERD asthma breath. It plays an important role in the relief or control of asthma attacks.