Gerd and exercise

[Gfoss100]

Hello,
I have been diagnosed with Gerd as the reason why I sometimes get shortness of breath.  When I exercise I often get short of breath which can last for a day or two up to a couple weeks.  Could this exercise enduced SOB happen because of Gerd?  In the past I have had heart workups, etc..and the diagnosis of Gerd was finally given for the SOB.  Thanks,
Greg

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Anything that increase the abdominal pressure can worsen GERD.
If the exercise you do involve abdominal muscles and can cause increase in abdominal pressure it can cause symptoms of GERD.
If reflux is severe enough it can get aspirated in to the lungs.
Longterm reflux can damage the lungs and can cause asthma like symptoms causing breathlessness.

[uvwx]

Definitely. I'm a living example of this happening and even progressing with time. And most docs don't have a clue. Medications help in the short term but over time you're lung functions deteriorate and produce more asthma like symptoms with low FEV1 which makes your docs think something wrong with the lungs. If you don't want surgery then lose weight, maintain strict anti-reflux lifestyle especially at night, and exercise on empty stomach. It can be done in early stages. I have looked around and found people who did surgery were much better off though