How we keep my husband’s chronic acid reflux in check
Many people with PF also have gastroesophageal reflux disease
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My husband, Donnie, suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for several years before the onset of his lung issues, and we were surprised to learn of the connection between GERD and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). While, to my knowledge, the scientific community isn’t 100% certain of that relationship, we do know that many people with PF also have GERD. Some believe the acid reflux aspirates into the lungs, causing damage. While we don’t know exactly how it works, it’s important to keep acid reflux in check to avoid further damage.
If you’re unfamiliar with GERD, it’s chronic acid reflux that goes up your esophagus. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of GERD include regurgitation, heartburn or acid indigestion, noncardiac chest pain, nausea, sore throat, and asthma symptoms. Acid reflux is considered chronic if you experience it twice a week for several weeks.
There can be many causes of GERD, so it’s important to get evaluated by a doctor. We never really understood why sometimes even mild food caused Donnie to have problems, but we now know that some of his autoimmune disorders, such as connective tissue disorders, could be partially to blame due to their effect on his esophageal muscles.
Things that helped us
My husband experienced many of these symptoms for years before finally finding relief through medicines, lifestyle changes, and other actions. At one point, even the mildest of foods caused him acid reflux, and he was suffering daily. Occasionally, he would even wake up in the middle of the night with severe acid reflux, causing him to vomit.
As for medications, his doctors started treating his chronic acid reflux with pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. He has taken this daily for a few years now, and it has really helped. There are several types of medicines to treat GERD, so it’s important to speak with your doctor about which one might be right for you if you’re in a similar situation.
We’ve also tried to limit the types of food we eat or tweak them to be a little friendlier with his stomach. We try to limit tomato-based sauces, but if we have a pizza night, we ask for light sauce to decrease the chances of acid reflux. Many other foods can contribute to GERD and acid reflux, such as tomatoes, onions, caffeine, and high-fat foods. Marinara sauce is one of my husband’s biggest triggers, so we eat it sparingly.
A few years ago, we purchased a new mattress with an adjustable bed frame. I believe it has helped, as we no longer sleep flat, and the incline seems to reduce his acid reflux at night. It was a fairly expensive purchase, but I feel like it has made a huge difference in our sleep quality. There are also mattress wedges that slide under the mattress to add a little height to the head of a bed. We’ve purchased these in the past, as they are a much less expensive way to sleep inclined.
In conclusion, the medication, lifestyle changes, and addition of the new bed have done wonders for Donnie’s GERD. He says he rarely has symptoms anymore, and his doctors always make a point of checking on how he is handling it.
If you’re suffering from chronic acid reflux, please talk to your doctor. There are many medications, lifestyle changes, and even surgical procedures that can help you find relief, and it’s very important for people with PF to keep it controlled.
Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.
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