Can your asthma affect your digestion?

[nfrog]

Can your asthma affect your digestion? I have had terrible digestion for years along with shortness of breath and lots of foul-tasting mucus. All acid medication does is make it worse and every test I've had comes back clear. I just get told it's all in my head and anti-depressants thrown at me which don't make even the slightest difference. Occasionally I get a good day but otherwise 90% of the time my quality of life is pretty low. I've avoided sugar for a long time and have started to avoid dairy and eat very minimal gluten.

[Poobah]

I take it you have been diagnosed with asthma and if so, what medications are you on?

I'm assuming it's your digestive symptoms that have been tested and ruled out as having a known cause after tests? What tests have you had (barium meal, endoscopy, stomach acid test)?

It's not unusual for asthmatics to have reflux (GERD), which can be a trigger for their asthma. Sometimes it's caused by a hiatus hernia (picked up by barium meal) or underactive sphincter between the oesophagus and stomach (acid levels too low) or even allergies. More details about asthma and GERD can be read here asthmaandallergies.org/asth...

Alternatively, if stomach acid levels are too low, the sphincter between the oesophagus and stomach can become underactive, leading to stomach acid leaking into the oesophagus. If low acid levels are the problem then taking antacids will only make things worse. Something as simple as a daily tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and/or lemon juice in a glass of water can bring the stomach acid levels back up and kick start the sphincter back into action. However, if this doesn't work in a week it's unlikely to be the solution.

However, some asthma meds can affect the muscles that control the opening between your esophagus and your stomach. Taking Prednisolone or albuterol may relax these muscles. But other medicines may also cause reflux problems, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, antibiotics, iron, antidepressants, high blood pressure meds and osteoporosis meds .

But rarely, some digestive and breathing issues are caused by mast cell activation and this can be ruled out by a blood test. It is rare though and normally other causes are ruled out first.

Finally, foul tasting phlegm can be a sign of a respiratory infection, including a sinus infection. But equally, it can be caused by reflux.

[nfrog in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah, and thank you for your reply.

I was diagnosed with asthma as a child and have intermittently taken inhalers but haven't for a long time. I was convinced all my shortness of breath issues were to do with digestion so have long gone down that path but now am feeling I should maybe go down the asthma path instead. My story has actually been very long (10years+) and I have lost a lot of trust in the health system through my ailments. I have had two endoscopies come back clear, an allergy test, saw an ENT specialist and even had spirometry all coming back clear. I kept complaining about symptoms and ended up on anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, CBT and all kinds of other things all of which didn't help in the slightest. I went through hell with all this and even spent time in a mental hospital due to my anger around it, i felt like i was greiving myself as my body just wasn't working as it should. Any trip to the GP now is just completely demoralizing - my last trip I just got given a sheet on "health anxiety". It's believed that anxiety causes my symptoms when for me it's 100% the other way around.

I have never once noticed a link to my symptoms and being particularly anxious triggering them. In fact some of my best days symptom-wise come when I AM anxious about something.

The good thing is emotionally I deal with it much better now and try to see the positives. My symptoms, in the beginning, led me to quit smoking, quit drinking, and start exercising regularly. My performance is often skewed by how bad i feel on the day though. I have tried all sorts of different diets and can decipher no pattern, the only definite food trigger for me I feel is sugar. I just want my life back. I feel like my life has been on pause ever since they came on.

[Poobah in reply to nfrog]

I remember telling one GP about several symptoms, only to be told that they were going to concentrate on just one of my choice. Not sure if I was bemused or bewildered by that approach, but it's happened subsequently with a consultant who totally dismissed most of my symptoms as having absolutely nothing to do with his speciality - turns out he was totally wrong and it nearly cost me my life. He was head of his department too. Actually he wasn't alone. Some endocrinologist threw the results of my thyroid tests across the floor of his office in a fit of peak on one occasion as he had "never seen the like" and dismissed all my symptoms of thyroid disease. A few years later I suffered thyroid crisis because I had been left untreated. So believe me, I understand your frustration with the system.

However, I have to say I've also come across some great healthcare professionals across all sorts of disciplines who have helped me and my various health challenges. They've usually come along when I least expected it.

I'm really sorry you've had such horrible experiences and have yet to establish what's making you so poorly. To me it's like a jigsaw, trying to figure out how things fit together and someone's thrown the lid away so there's no picture to work from. We're all very different and one size doesn't fit all.

I've finally capitulated to changing my diet and the results have been surprisingly good. It's restrictive but the benefits are worth the deprivation. Low omega 6, low carbs, high fat (keto) and intermittent fasting (2 meals a day). No alcohol, no processed foods, no added sugar, preservatives or colourings. Moderate cheese and live yoghurt, coconut oil or butter for cooking, meat, fish, plenty of veg, moderate fruits. I do have the occasional treat if eating out and can tell if I've overdone things. Fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut were recommended for digestive health but I can't bear them, so I stick to live yoghurt for the probiotics and calcium.

Intermittent fasting is definitely beneficial on its own as it allows the digestive system to fully exploit its capabilities. Too often we eat several times a day and so some functions of the digestive system are never allowed to operate. Dr Jason Fung is a Canadian renal specialist who found that IF was a good treatment for his T2 diabetic patients who had developed kidney disease. The more he looked at fasting the more he realised how important it is to our health (not just those with T2 diabetes). You can Google him or he has films on YouTube. My health coach (part if my GP surgery) is supporting my IF/Keto and has said that Dr Fung is a recognised advocate for IF (I realise there are unregulated "doctors" on YouTube). Checking out if you're interested. I'm not saying it's the answer to your challenges but it certainly won't make things worse.

[nfrog in reply to Poobah]

Cheers, I will take a look at Dr Fung. I'm actually on a weight cut right now after putting lots of muscle on but have a bit of fat I need to take off, so it's the perfect time to look into intermittent fasting.

It definitely feels like something goes out of balance and my whole body acts up. Trying to figure it out in a dietary way though just seems impossible save for a few things that definitely make me act up. A few days ago I felt okay, had 20g of sunflower seeds and while I was out walking just 10minute later, mucus felt like it filled my entire body, i felt stuffy, I had lots of pain down below and my mouth became rancid. This set me up for 36hrs of feeling terrible. I tried the same amount of sunflower seeds yesterday and even had an Indian takeaway and have felt 50-60% better despite not really knowing what was in the food.

I've tried various probiotics in pill form and they never seemed to help. Yogurt seems to make the mucus thicker and my body feel really sour, it's hard to explain. I actually enjoy sauerkraut but it's so expensive to get the proper not pastuerized stuff, i need to get into making my own.

Also trying to keep my water intake as high as I can.

[Poobah in reply to nfrog]

A food and symptom diary may help, if you haven't done one before. It may just highlight a common denominator.

I tried changing from cow's milk to soya milk a few years back but got very ill, asthma wise. It took a while to develop and I thought I had a chest infection, as did my GP. After two courses of Prednisolone and antibiotics the GP did suggest it may be an allergy but at the time it didn't click it could be the soya milk. After changing back to cow's milk it only took a week for my symptoms to disappear. Years later I learned about the link between omega 6 and my AERD (some asthmatics also have this respiratory disease). I had no idea that all the foods I redacted badly to were all rich in omega 6. I just wish more asthmatics knew about the potential for omega 6 to be a trigger for some. It especially affects the sinuses, lungs and mucus production for those affected.

Then there's the low salicylate diet, another possibility for some asthmatics. Again it affects the sinuses, lungs and mucus production. Be it omega 6 or salicylate, sufferers should also avoid aerosol inhalers and NSAIDs.

[Bevvy in reply to nfrog]

Interesting post although I don’t have anything to add to Poobahs comments. Although like both of you I have had bad (and good) medical input. Have had a consultant screaming at me and then wondering why I became upset. Same consultant told me to apply for a blue badge and gave written letter to support this. But then told gp at the time nothing much wrong with me!! Gp who was one of the good guys was absolutely livid by my treatment from consultant.I am responding because I noticed something in one of your responses “trying to keep my water intake as high as I can”. I wondered what you meant by that? Are you aware drinking too much water can be very dangerous?! Most people aren’t but I know somebody who ended up in hospital due to excessive water consumption. It can affect electrolytes in body and put strain on some organs.It might be worth investigating for yourself if you are drinking too much water and some of your symptoms relate to this? Just a thought.

[nfrog in reply to Bevvy]

It was a bit of a flippant comment. I actually struggle to drink enough, I try to aim for about 2L but usually only end up around 1.5L.

[teddyd in reply to nfrog]

I also dont really have much to add except water increases my indigestion ,discomfort in my digestive system, and reflux . I cant remember exactly what I was told why it happens but it is something to do with the mucas.I have asthma bronchietasis and stomach problems.

Good luck getting the help you require.

[Beefull8]

I do think there is a relationship because whenever I have what I think is stomach flu I also struggle to breathe. The first time I was officially given a lung diagnosis was when I had stomach flu so I 💯 % believe they are related and if you google it there is a relationship between your microbiome and lung issues. Even when I’m full I feel like it’s harder to breathe.

[Logo132]

Yes it can affect digestion, with acid reflux. Try Googling acid watchers diet. Basic idea is that you avoid big triggers like orange juice, fizzy drinks, caffeine and tomato. It’s made a big difference for me. I managed to get off the omeprazole using diet as I was worried about long term effects. My mother in law has been on omeprazole for years and now has polyps.

[nfrog in reply to Logo132]

I've already exhausted all the acid reflux things i possibly can do. I haven't had a fizzy drink or even any fruit for about 5+ years now. Also avoided tomatoes, onions, garlic and a whole bunch of the usual stuff in this time. Caffeine as been off my menu for a LONG time.

The crazy thing is i can sometimes slip up and my best day for a weeks could come after. There were a lot of onions in my curry on Friday for example and Saturday morning i felt pretty good! Another time i'll be led to think onions are a terrible trigger. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.

[fraid]

Such brilliant knowledge on here,have learnt so much.Sorry you’re not getting help you need nfrog,ridiculous.I had GERD too,but now can’t lie down,near gone as propped up all the time.Gallbladder ok too?Disgraceful so many of us have to sort ourselves out when dox found wanting.

Hope you get sorted soon.x

[nfrog in reply to fraid]

I even have bricks under my bed and an acid reflux pillow, still notice no difference. My body seems to make it up as it goes along.

[Hidden]

You have my profound sympathies. I’ve had digestive issues for very nearly fourteen years and they still haven’t worked out what’s going on.

I assume they have ruled out oesophageal thrush which can cause quite bad heartburn. They would have found that during a gastroscopy if you have that. I’ve had the stress and anxiety card thrown at me: it took me three years to prove they were barking up the wrong tree with that one and then it only occurred after I went through a really calm patch with not many symptoms during what even my consultant acknowledged would have been a very stressful period.

The most frustrating thing is that manometry and 24hr monitoring are all very well, but they are only likely to work if you are fortunate enough to get the test during a flare up of symptoms and very often there is a delay between the referral and the test. I was referred for it and then had to wait for eight months (thanks to covid) before I had the test by which time things had calmed down. Perhaps not surprisingly the level of acidity found wasn’t high: what was surprising was that it was actually found to be on the low side of normal. The consultant (the fourth different one I have seen in those fourteen years) decided to check to see if I have any reflux at all, and if so, is it in fact non acid reflux (something like pepsin reflux perhaps). I’m being referred to a different consultant in a different health authority in order to get it and I’m currently waiting for the appointment with him to come through. Non acid reflux is a known problem (though there is some debate about it) which can cause very similar symptoms to acid reflux. Has anyone suggested this to you? Unsurprisingly stomach acid suppressants have very little impact on it. Currently I use Gaviscon Advance which does help to calm things down; that is the main evidence we have that something is definitely not right.

[nfrog in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. And sadly i don't get anything suggested to me other than to relax and keep myself busy, stop overthinking it, do different exercises to manage my anxiety etc. I gave up on the health system a long time ago and they seem to have given up on me.

I've had Gaviscon Advance a lot, i've gone through periods where i've taken it before bed every night for absolutely months on end. It never seemed to do much though.

This morning i've woken up sore throughout my whole digestive system and higher. My eyes burning, my sinuses, my chest causing me to cough and also down below feels light someone has held a lighter there all night. Worst part is i had what would be considered as "safe" food yesterday avoiding all common triggers (as i usually do 99% of the time).

[Hidden in reply to nfrog]

I’ve been on Gaviscon Advance every night before bed for years. If I’m going through a bad patch it will need to be taken after every meal as well. I try to avoid that as I have a very sensitive bowel and Gaviscon Advance can cause issues in that area - which is more than a little annoying; what works for one part of the GI tract causes issues in another.

Others have said that drinking water can cause problems for them. I’ve found that too. I’m OK if I have it with food, but taking just water on its own can cause problems. Because of the consequences of another medical condition I have to make sure I drink 2 plus litres of fluids a day so that has to be carefully managed. Caffeine is a disaster area so for cold drinks I have water and for hot drinks hot milky water (one part milk to three parts hot water). Hot milky water really works for me, helping to calm things down.

Quantity of food is a major consideration. The amount of food I eat at any given time has to be carefully managed (along with what I eat and when I eat it). If I get it wrong (and I did yesterday) and have too much I’ll be uncomfortable for the rest of the day, even if I take Gaviscon. On the plus side I’m never likely to get overweight; in fact the thing that has to be watched is the other extreme: I’m not big and I lose weight easily.

[Hidden]

Have you been referred to a gastroenterologist? If not, I really do suggest that you get your GP to do so.

[nfrog in reply to Hidden]

After 2 clear endoscopies I was not able to get a follow-up appointment and just got stuck on powerful anti-psychotics.

[Hidden in reply to nfrog]

I think you need to push for another referral. If nothing seems to be working they haven’t found the cause.

Like you I developed asthma as a child; I’ve now had it for over fifty five years and for over fifty of them I’ve been on daily inhalers. My digestive issues actually really kicked off after a bad bout of norovirus. Like you they come and go (not uncommon incidentally) but that’s partly what makes it so difficult to diagnose. Tests can be called for but if you are not going through an active flare at the time of the test the results can show nothing. That can also be case with non acid reflux if what they are looking for is signs of acid reflux. Thus far I’ve had three gastroscopies, been checked for delayed stomach emptying and had manometry and 24hr pH monitoring: all of them came back negative. I’ve also been checked for food allergies all of which came back negative. The reason they’ve kept me on, I suspect, is because I have a long history of GI tract issues so the chances are reasonably high there is an underlying cause that they want to get to the bottom of. As I said before, stress and anxiety were mentioned for three years until I finally managed to knock that one firmly on the head, pointing out that there have been too many times when I have been stressed and not had any issues, and too many times when I haven’t been stressed and have.

What other factors have you looked at and what are you doing, other than diet, to help with it? I’m assuming you are not overweight (which can increase the risk of reflux), that you have raised the head end of your bed by around five inches and are being careful when it comes to how much you eat and when.

[nfrog in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your continued interaction, I just want to say that I really appreciate it.

I would love to go down certain avenues again but I really feel like I've exhausted all I can get out of the system. I've even asked for different GPs to see and I get the same rubbish. As soon as I go in there I just feel that my history of being sectioned, being on all these different drugs they've given me, and my lack of compliance when they've requested I up my doses despite being turned into a literal zombie on them with no relief of symptoms.... To them I'm just some sort of obsessive hypochondriac with a bunch of clear tests and no real issues.

I'm not overweight and I exercise 4x a week. In the peak of my issues I plummeted down to just 120lbs at almost 6ft as i was so afraid to eat anything because of the pain and how even a small bite of something could ruin my day. I've gone thrown lots of emotional and stoic-like growth having to deal with this on my own. I have put on a lot of muscle and am now 175lbs-ish.

In terms of doing something other than diet to try and get better, it's kind of as I mentioned, reading a lot of stoicism books, focusing on any of my anxietys and emotions around the illness in a positive way and trying to do as much of the things in life that i enjoy. I try not to talk about it in my day to day life because everyone is sick of hearing it as from one day to the next I can go from not too bad to almost bed ridden in discomfort. I have an acid reflux pillow but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

[Hidden in reply to nfrog]

The thing you need to avoid with pillows is anything that might cause you to bend at or above you waist height whilst you are sleeping or that may result in you slipping down in to such a position. If you do so there is an increased risk of pressure being placed on the sphincter muscle at the top of your stomach which in turn increases the risk of stomach contents getting in to the oesophagus. That is why it is often recommended that raising the head end of the bed by five or six inches is a good idea. Doing so means your body remains in a normal sleeping position (flat) whilst ensuring that gravity helps to keep your stomach contents where they should be. Another thing that I find helps is to lie on my left side. Apparently the way the stomach joins to the oesophagus means there is less chance of leakage occurring if you are on your left side; lying on your right side increases it. I don’t know if it works for everyone, but it certainly does for me.

The fact that you are having a bad time with this is inevitably going to increase stress/anxiety levels, which in turn is going to make things worse, which is going to increase the anxiety etc etc - so you end up in a vicious circle. I do get frustrated when doctors don’t seem to grasp this.

[Hidden in reply to nfrog]

By the way, you mentioned exercise - what sort of exercise and how long do you leave between eating/drinking and doing the exercise. Also, is there any possibility that you are are hypermobile?

One other thing: have they checked to make sure you don’t have Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) in your stomach?

[nfrog in reply to Hidden]

I propped up my bed with bricks a few years ago and have an acid reflux pillow that i don't use much as like you say, I slide down. I did use it last night though and still woke up burning from the bottom of my stomach all the way up and through my eyes. Thick foul mucus feel like it's all over my digestive system.

Aside from these dozens of symptoms I get related to this then i am otherwise "healthy" (it seems silly me saying that, but yeah)....

It's resistance training. Squats, bench, overhead press, trap bar deadlifts etc. I never go really intense. I've never thought that exercise makes me feel any worse and my symptoms started long before exercising. My eating is spread out quite far from my exercising - most times I eat at around 8am and get to the gym at 10:15am. I finish at about 11;15am and don't eat until about 1pm. I've experimented with closer and further times and haven't noticed a difference.

I was put on a triple threat medication for a while that apparently kills Helicobacter Pylori even though I was tested negative for it. The medication made no difference whatsoever. I had a stool test that was clear too despite my consistencies being all over the place.

[nfrog]

It's crazy. The past few days and last night especially, I was so depressed about how I was feeling. Coughing continuously and feeling so sore from my bottom right up to my head. Ate a bunch of food I would usually consider triggers and went straight to bed. Feel 50% better this morning!

There's no way to find out what's hurting me if there's no pattern!