Asthma is a chronic lung disorder that causes difficulty breathing. Those suffering from it have higher sensitivity - or even hyper-sensitivity - in their airways. When having an asthma attack, this sensitivity causes the airway to become irritated. It reacts by constricting itself, leading to less air being able to get through and difficult breathing.

There has been some research that indicates that asthma symptoms can be worsened by a condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is more commonly known as acid reflux. This condition causes stomach acid to rise up into the throat which can lead to further irritation, and more pronounced asthma symptoms.

There have also been studies that have shown evidence that asthma sufferers are more prone to developing GERD. This may be due partly to the additional pressure in the chest during an asthma attack, which may force stomach acid up in the wrong direction.

It has not been shown that acid reflux is a contributing factor in developing asthma, however. If that were the case, treating the GERD should also show positive results on asthma but the two are not linked this way. It would appear that one can make the other more pronounced but is not the direct cause.

If you do suffer from both conditions, however, treating one can often ease the effects of the other. If you think you might be dealing with a combination of asthma and acid reflux, the best thing is to consult with your doctor. They can run some tests to give you a thorough diagnosis, and prescribe the best treatment method for your particular situation.

Leaving the problem alone and hoping it will go away is the worst thing you can do. Make the effort to get out and see your doctor - the sooner the problem is diagnosed and treated, the more likely it is to be manageable.