How to treat shortness of breath from acid reflux

Acid reflux and shortness of breath can occur together, or one can cause the other. Shortness of breath, medically known as dyspnea, and other respiratory problems are common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Several treatment options can help treat acid reflux and GERD, such as medications and lifestyle strategies. This can help get rid of your shortness of breath, along with other unpleasant symptoms of GERD.

How does acid reflux cause shortness of breath?

Acid reflux happens when your stomach acid flows back to your esophagus. This can happen because the valve that controls the flow of drinks and food into your stomach (called the esophageal sphincter) doesn’t close completely.

The valve doesn’t close completely because the sphincter is weakened and may not be able to tighten all the way. Acid can also flow back to your throat when you frequently lie down right after eating.

This acid can irritate your airways, including your throat and your lungs, and inflame them. This can lead to breathing issues and dyspnea.  

There’s a close link between GERD and respiratory conditions like asthma. About 20% of people in the United States have acid reflux. And 85–89% of people with an asthma diagnosis have acid reflux, considered an underlying cause.

A 2020 study suggests that asthma and GERD have a bidirectional relationship in children, meaning that GERD can lead to asthma, and asthma can worsen GERD in this population.

Some older 2015 research indicates that 40% of people with asthma also had GERD. Also, if you already have asthma, GERD might worsen asthma symptoms because the acid further irritates your airways.

A 2022 study also suggests that GERD increases the risk of bacterial pulmonary disease, which can cause shortness of breath.

Also, acid reflux can trigger the muscles in your airways to tighten, known as bronchospasm, which leads to coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Acid reflux can even worsen the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a 2020 study.

Other causes of acid reflux and GERD include:

• eating foods like spicy and fatty foods, tomatoes, coffee, and alcohol
• smoking
• overweight and obesity
• pregnancy
• stress and anxiety
• some medications, such as pain relievers like ibuprofen

Aside from shortness of breath, GERD can also lead to other respiratory symptoms like coughing, hoarse voice, and in some cases, fluid in the lungs. Other symptoms of GERD and acid reflux include:

• chest tightness
• difficulty swallowing
• burning in the throat
• bad breath

Treatments

Treatment methods for GERD and acid reflux can include medications and lifestyle strategies. A healthcare professional may prescribe you medications and recommend lifestyle measures to manage the symptoms of GERD, including shortness of breath. 

Lifestyle measures

If you have GERD that’s causing you respiratory issues, such as shortness of breath or asthma, you can consider certain lifestyle strategies that can help you ease symptoms, avoid triggers, and help with the long-term prevention of acid reflux.

Some lifestyle strategies you can consider include:

• eating smaller meals
• avoiding eating fried foods, acidic foods (like tomatoes and citrus), coffee, and carbonated drinks
• avoiding smoking, if you smoke 
• maintaining a moderate weight through a balanced diet and physical activity
• raising your head about 10–20 cm when you lie down in bed can prevent stomach acid from flowing back to your throat
• reducing stress and anxiety with practices like meditation and yoga

Medications

Some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that can help address symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn include:

• antacids like Maalox, Tums, and Mylanta
• H2 blockers like ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and cimetidine (Tagamet)
• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), and rabeprazole (AcipHex)
• prokinetics like metoclopramide (Reglan)

Talk with a doctor if these medications and lifestyle measures are not relieving your GERD symptoms or if you keep experiencing shortness of breath. A healthcare professional can help determine whether GERD is actually causing your dyspnea or if there’s another cause.

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Summary

Acid reflux and shortness of breath are closely linked.

Acid reflux and GERD can cause shortness of breath because the stomach acid that flows back into your throat and esophagus can irritate your airways, such as your lungs and throat. This can lead to breathing difficulties, coughing, hoarseness in your voice, and difficulty swallowing.

To address shortness of breath caused by acid reflux, you can take certain medications like antacids and proton pump inhibitors. You can also practice lifestyle strategies like eating smaller meals, avoiding fried foods and alcohol, and maintaining a moderate weight with exercise and a balanced diet.

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