The sensation of difficult or labored breathing out of sync with the patient$%:s level of physical activity is known as dyspnea or shortness of breath. It can be a symptom of several different diseases or disorders and can be acute or chronic.
Sufferers describe dyspnea as a horrible feeling of shortness of breath, a sensation of increased effort or tiredness in moving the chest muscles, a feeling of being smothered, or a sense of cramping or tightening of the chest wall. Add to this a searing pain in the chest, a hallmark of GERD, and your cup of woes is brimming over.
There are various causes for shortness of breath such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, chronic anxiety disorders, deformities of the chest or obesity which can limit the movement of the chest wall and the decrease the ability of the lungs to fill completely. GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease may also be a cause of dyspnea.
GERD is the backward flow of stomach acids into the esophagus. Generally, the contents of the stomach and stomach acid are prevented from backing up or refluxing into the esophagus by a valve at the bottom of the esophagus known as the lower esophageal sphincter. When this valve misfunctions, acid enters the lower part of the esophagus, resulting in the rather familiar burning sensation referred to as heartburn. If left untreated, GERD can ultimately lead to lung damage, ulcers in the esophagus and esophageal cancer.
To isolate shortness of breath resulting from GERD, the patient$%:s history which records necessary information such as history gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, or other allergic conditions, the presence of chest pain, recent accidents or surgeries, information regarding smoking habits, level of physical activity and exercise habits and any psychiatric history would be useful to the physician.
Once the cause of dyspnea it can be treated accordingly. If GERD is the cause then it can be managed with antacids, other medications and dietary changes.
However effective over-the-counter medicines may be self medication is not the key. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treating the root cause is a better way of preventing the problem from escalating.
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