Pneumological Aspects of Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) refers to symptoms and events that resul t from abnormal regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus. GER is a common clinical problem that affects large segments of the ge neral population. The spectrum of problems associated with GER is now known to also involve extra-esophageal sites. Respiratory diseases, in particular bronchial asthma, can be exacerbated by multiple triggers, including GER. The relationship between the occurrence of gastroesoph ageal disorders and changes in respiratory function has been known for over a century, but the mechanism by which intraesophageal acid regur gitation can produce respiratory symptoms is still debated. The reason s for these concurrent pathological events are also not fully understo od. Determining, for instance, whether reflux itself initiates or exac erbates asthma, or whether asthma or its treatment primarily causes GE R is a matter of current investigation.