The role of gastroesophageal reflux disease in asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To emphasize the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma symptoms or exacerbations.


METHODS
Selective review of the scientific literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Although studies in recent years have offered insight into the relationship between GERD and asthma symptoms, many nurse practitioners (NPs) fail to recognize atypical GERD symptoms, which may explain difficult-to-treat asthma and exacerbation. It has become evident that patients suffering from persistent asthma display an increased prevalence of GERD.


CONCLUSIONS
While there are increasing constraints that limit the provider-patient interaction time, it is imperative that NPs develop keen assessment skills to effectively diagnose and treat asthma symptoms that are a product of GERD. Awareness of the asthma-GERD relationship allows NPs to quickly obtain pertinent information and successfully determine how to efficiently treat symptomatic asthmatic patients.
Huggins
Sandra
S
Southern Adventist University School of Nursing, Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363, USA. sandrachuggins@aol.com
D000465:Algorithms; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D018662:Fundoplication; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors