Mind & Body |
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Diet Can Ease AsthmaAvoiding foods that cause GERD may reduce asthma symptomsIn treating asthma, physicians often look to the use of inhalers and warn against such environmental factors as exposure to smoke and pets. But in some cases, dietary adjustments can go a long way in helping asthma sufferers breathe more easily. Allergies to foods including milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and nuts are common culprits for asthma symptoms in infants and young children. If symptoms coincide with ingesting certain foods, experts say simply avoiding those foods can help prevent asthma episodes. But many do not realize that another common dietary link to asthma in both adults and children is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the condition affects as many as 89 percent of patients with asthma. Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD. Heartburn is described as a burning chest pain that begins behind the breastbone and moves upward to the neck and throat. It can last as long as two hours and is often worse after eating. Lying down or bending over can also result in heartburn. Heartburn pain is less likely to be associated with physical activity. The good news is that treatment of the GERD is often beneficial in controlling asthma symptoms as well, says Dr. Sandra M. Gawchik, an associate clinical professor in the department of pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. "Treating a patient's GERD will often improve asthma symptoms," she says. "Instructions include refraining from eating for three to four hours prior to going to bed, avoiding high-fat foods and drinks including coffee and tea, and taking medications to adjust acid levels in the stomach." Gawchik stresses that asthma sufferers should always inform their physicians if they experience frequent heartburn or other GERD symptoms. Always consult your physician for more information. US Asthma Rates Soar Among ChildrenThe percentage of American children with asthma more than doubled over the five years analyzed in a newly released study, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says. From 1980 to 1985, the rate soared to 7.5 percent from 3.6 percent, the EPA says. And the rate rose even higher by 2001 to 8.7 percent, or 6.3 million children, the agency adds. In a wide-ranging report titled "America's Children and the Environment," the EPA says there is also "growing concern" about exposure to mercury by women of child-bearing age, which could lead to harmful consequences on the children they might have. The primary source of mercury exposure is the burning of coal, mostly at electric power plants, say sources. About 8 percent of American women ages 16 to 49 have amounts of mercury in their blood that could pose a danger to a fetus, the report says. The agency had not included mercury in prior years' reports, so it could not provide trend information. In what the report calls "good news for children," it cites declines in exposure among American kids to lead and secondhand smoke. Always consult your physician for more information. Online Resources(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology American Gastroenterological Association National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
April 2003Avoiding Foods That Cause GERD May Reduce Asthma Symptoms US Asthma Rates Soar Among Children Treatment For GERDIn many cases, GERD can be relieved through diet and lifestyle changes, as directed by your physician. Some ways to manage heartburn include the following:
Always consult your physician for more information. |
