Gluten, asthma and respiratory health are more closely connected than most people realise. In Part 2 of this series, Marijke Vogel examines how gluten contributes to GERD — gastro-oesophageal reflux disease — and how this digestive condition directly affects the airways and lungs. If you missed it, start with Part 1 on gluten and digestive health.
Gluten, Asthma and the GERD Connection
Asthma
Asthma and GERD frequently occur together. Furthermore, research suggests several mechanisms by which digestive acid reflux drives respiratory symptoms directly:
- Small amounts of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus can lead to changes in the immune system that trigger asthma.
- Acid leaking from the lower esophagus stimulates the vagus nerves, which run through the gastrointestinal tract. These stimulated nerves cause the nearby airways in the lung to constrict, producing asthma symptoms.
- Acid backup that reaches the mouth may be inhaled (aspirated) into the airways. Here, the acid triggers a reaction in the airways that causes asthma symptoms.
- There is some evidence that asthma triggers GERD, but in patients who have both conditions, treating GERD does not appear to improve asthma.
More research is needed.
Other Respiratory and Airway Conditions.
Studies indicate an association between GERD and various upper respiratory problems that occur in the sinuses, ear and nasal passages, and airways of the lung.
People with GERD appear to have an above-average risk for chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring).
If a person inhales fluid from the esophagus into the lungs, serious pneumonia can occur.
(Without any doubt the digestion is of paramount importance in conditions affecting circulation and respiration.)
We need to become much more aware of what we have accepted for years as a norm in our diet, is actually slowly causing us to lose our health, energy, strength and muscle. And all of this hastens our demise and affect our quality of life despite all the modern technology we have access to today.
Further symptoms include;
- Unexplained dry cough.
- Nausea
- Heartburn and burping
- Breath
- Tiredness
- All sorts of allergy symptoms.
The more acidity builds up, the more we need the meds and inhalers. The more acid we become.
What can we do to help naturally?
What This Means for Your Digestive Health
The connection between gluten, asthma and the wider respiratory system highlights how central gut health is to overall wellbeing. As Marijke observes in her clinical practice, what we have accepted as normal in our diet is slowly affecting our health, energy, and quality of life. The NHS provides further information on acid reflux and GORD for those who want to understand the clinical picture.
Continue to Part 3 — what you can do naturally, or book a session with Marijke to discuss your own digestive health. You can also visit the colonic irrigation FAQs if you have questions first.
