Anyone else feel like their allergies cause reflux instead of other way around?>>>

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avalonrose

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I know that a lot of us have been told that the cause of our allergy problems is reflux or GERD and that the allergies are a symptom of the GERD. However, I really do think that at least in my case, the GERD is secondary to the allergies. Like I will receive an allergy alert for my area, get HORRIBLE allergies that day, and then have a terrible time with reflux/GERD as well, because my allergies are draining or something. My father also sees a correlation. He says he never has acid reflux unless his allergies are acting up. I know that most doctors say it goes the other way around, but I was wondering what you're opinions are and what you have found to be true personally?
FYI I get horrible acid reflux every year, but only from Noveraber-April. This is also the time when my allergies flare every year. The rest of the year I am fine. I would think if GERD were at the root of the problem, it would be a year round thing. I've never heard of having GERD seasonally the way that I do.
 
I've never heard the GERD causing the sinus but that sinus aggravates the GERD. Maybe the doctors in AL are on a different wave length?
 
I think you're misunderstanding the connection and the issue. There is absolutely no evidence that allergies and GERD are connected. Allergies are a well-documented overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance that has nothing to do with acid reflux.

There is a clear connection between GERD and chronic sinus issues/ asthma-like symptoms that are non-allergic. Although researchers haven't identified the specific mechanism that connects the two, it's clear that acid reflux can cause irritation and inflammation in the bronchi and, in some cases, far up into the upper respiratory tract. This inflammation causes asthma-like symptoms and can be a contributing factor for chronic sinusitis.

GERD and allergies can have some common symptoms, particularly post-nasal drip (caused by the allergic reaction for allergy sufferers or by the body's increased production of mucus to help heal damaged areas in the esophagus for GERD sufferers), which may also be part of the confusion.
 
It's not just doctors in AL. There's a significant body of evidence, backed up by several scientific studies that links GERD, specifically LPR, and chronic sinusitis. Although the exact mechanism involved isn't clearly known (some researchers speculate that acid is actually reaching the nasopharynx while other believe that the entire upper respiratory system can become inflamed by chronic reflux).

Several studies have demonstrated that using PPIs in the treatment of patients with chronic sinusitis can significantly improve their symptoms but researchers are still trying to figure out the causal relationship between the two.
 
I was thinking more in terms of the sinus drainage/PND caused by the allergies causing the stomach issues. I have a queasy stomach most mornings from PND that doesn't go away until I have some hot tea to settle it.
 
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