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What Causes Upper Respiratory Tract Infections When Suffering From GERD?
Question: Hi, I'm 30 years old and have GERD. I've been on Prilosec since 2010. In 2012, the effectiveness started to wear off during parts of the day so my GI advised me to start taking it twice a day.
Most days the 2x prilosec does the trick, but every once in a while my stomach wakes me up at night or I get a lump sensation in my throat. I noticed my stomach seems to get upset more often when I eat a salad (no dressing).
So far in 2014, I've gotten a cold three times already! Doing some searching, I ran across this short thread that says that I may be more susceptible to the common cold because I have GERD and there's some malabsorption taking place. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/GERD-Acid-Reflux/Can-GERD-and-the-common-cold-be-related/show/0000
My question for you is if I make an appointment with a GI, will he be able to test this theory, and how?
Thank you.
Most days the 2x prilosec does the trick, but every once in a while my stomach wakes me up at night or I get a lump sensation in my throat. I noticed my stomach seems to get upset more often when I eat a salad (no dressing).
So far in 2014, I've gotten a cold three times already! Doing some searching, I ran across this short thread that says that I may be more susceptible to the common cold because I have GERD and there's some malabsorption taking place. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/GERD-Acid-Reflux/Can-GERD-and-the-common-cold-be-related/show/0000
My question for you is if I make an appointment with a GI, will he be able to test this theory, and how?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Do write me back if you have further questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
I have gone through the discussion link you sent to me and understood your concerns.
It is true that GERD clinic is often confounded with Upper respiratory tract infections. The explanation is as following:
During GERD, a part of gastric liquid is returned back through esophagus to the throat. Sometimes, especially, during the night time, a part of this liquid is aspirated, leading to aspiration pneumonia/bronchitis.
It might give a clinic of common cold (bronchitis) with/out virus/bacteria onset. It is common for virus to thrive, explaining why you are having common cold more often recently.
To my opinion, it is time to get checked by a GI specialist in order to evaluate the progress of GERD. Upper endoscopy and pH measuring is also necessary for further evaluation.
It has nothing to do with food maldigestion as patients with GERD do not have indigestion problems or immunity. Their only problem is returning of the acidic stomach fluid into the esophagus.
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida
Do write me back if you have further questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
I have gone through the discussion link you sent to me and understood your concerns.
It is true that GERD clinic is often confounded with Upper respiratory tract infections. The explanation is as following:
During GERD, a part of gastric liquid is returned back through esophagus to the throat. Sometimes, especially, during the night time, a part of this liquid is aspirated, leading to aspiration pneumonia/bronchitis.
It might give a clinic of common cold (bronchitis) with/out virus/bacteria onset. It is common for virus to thrive, explaining why you are having common cold more often recently.
To my opinion, it is time to get checked by a GI specialist in order to evaluate the progress of GERD. Upper endoscopy and pH measuring is also necessary for further evaluation.
It has nothing to do with food maldigestion as patients with GERD do not have indigestion problems or immunity. Their only problem is returning of the acidic stomach fluid into the esophagus.
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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