What is the relationship between GERD & asthma?

Since I was 8 years old, [ I'm 21 now ] I was under the impression that I had asthma. They gave me an albuterol inhaler. Which really didn't do anything when I had sudden symptoms. I always ended up in the emergency room.

Anyway, recently in like October, I went to an Allergy/Asthma doctor, and they told me that my symptoms were most likely from GERD and prescribed me Prevacid. Now, don't get me wrong, the Prevacid worked wonders for my breathing. But can someone explain to me why all these years I was told I had bad asthma and how acid reflux effects my breathing?

http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/heartb...

GERD seems to hit 1 out of 4 patients in the last few years. Doctors are finding out more ? or it's got to do with our eating habits, and our life style....Anyway to answer your question, you probably inhale some of the gastric juices into your lungs as you cough with GERD. Prevacaid works well ? then the diagnosis is correct. GERD is a relative new disease. Even 8 years ago, at your age , most physicians would not have guessed you were suffering from GERD. Asthma would have been more likely the diagnosis. Just curious...do you consume fatty meat, fries, and your life style sedentary ? Majority of GERD is caused by unhealthy life style and affects more over weighed adults. Take care :):}

The only thing I can think of would be if they feel you have a hiatal hernia which is causing the GERD. A hiatal hernia involves protrusion of the upper portion of the stomach upward through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which takes up space and could be related to your perception of breathing difficulties. I guess it depends on what symptoms you exhibited when you were diagnosed with asthma in the first place.

Add....thanks Mary....interesting link.....and it answers the question !