- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
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James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
James Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. James Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. He's a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He's a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Reactive airway disease: Is it asthma?
Causes (1)
- Asthma and acid reflux: Are they linked?
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Albuterol side effects: What's normal?
- LABAs for asthma — Should I stop taking them?
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Ozone air purifiers: Can they improve asthma symptoms?
- Asthma diet: Does what you eat make a difference?
- Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
Prevention (1)
- Hygiene hypothesis: Early germ exposure prevents asthma?
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Question
Asthma and acid reflux: Are they linked?
Is there a connection between asthma and acid reflux?
Answer
from James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Asthma and acid reflux often occur together. It isn't clear why, or whether one causes the other. What we do know is that acid reflux can worsen asthma — and asthma can worsen acid reflux. This can be particularly true if you have severe acid reflux, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Asthma and acid reflux can occur together in children as well as in adults. In fact, about half the children with asthma also have GERD.
When asthma and acid reflux do occur together, asthma medications may not work as well to control signs and symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Likewise, asthma may worsen acid reflux signs and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and chest pain.
Treating acid reflux may help ease symptoms caused by either condition. You may be able to control acid reflux with over-the-counter medications — for example, a proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole (Prilosec). Avoiding reflux triggers such as fatty foods, alcohol and tobacco also may help. If that's not enough, prescription medications may be needed. In severe cases, surgery is sometimes necessary.
Talk to your doctor if you or your child has frequent asthma flare-ups. You may need to adjust asthma-control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids or take other steps to control asthma symptoms.
In some cases, asthma medications can worsen acid reflux. This is particularly true of theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin, others). But don't quit taking or change any asthma medications without getting your doctor's OK first.
If you or your child is diagnosed with acid reflux, asthma or both, getting the right treatment will help ease symptoms — and it may help prevent health problems associated with either condition.
Next questionAlbuterol side effects: What's normal?
- Taliercio RM, et al. Cough. In: Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00162-4--s0115&uniq=215177834&isbn=978-1-4160-6643-9&sid=1040658218#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00162-4--s0115%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-1-4160-6643-9. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
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- Guilbert T, et al. Approach to infants and children with asthma. In: Adkinson M, et al.: Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed.: Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00075-9--cesec30&uniq=213086891&isbn=978-0-323-05659-5&sid=1034480947#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00075-9--cesec30%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05659-5. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
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