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What Causes Sudden And Involuntary Breaths While Suffering From GERD?

Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016

Question: For several years I have had sudden, involuntary breaths maybe once or twice a day. They are sporadic. May last a week or month and then not recur again for some time. I have bronchiectasis and GERD.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone PFT?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, we should first rule out obstructive airway pathology because bronchiectesis and GERD both cause bronchitis.
So get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
If PFT is suggestive of obstructive Pulmonary defect then you need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
If PFT is normal then no need to worry for bronchitis. Sometimes stress and anxiety can also cause similar symptoms.
So please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone PFT?
2. Do you have stressful life?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (18 hours later)

Last PFT was in 2004. Showed mild obstruction based on FEV/FVC ratio. Ratio was 73.
I have absolutely no stress.
Also I have had bronchiectasis since 1966.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Which drugs you are taking?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So, your PFT report is very old.
So better to get done fresh PFT report.
Also let me know the drugs you are taking for bronchiectesis and GERD.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)

I am taking Nexium for GERD. I have had a trial of bronchodilators in the past that did not help.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should definitely start inhaled treatment and other supportive drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should definitely take treatment for bronchiectesis.
Bronchiectesis needs Inhaled bronchodilators, mucolytic and expectorant drugs.
Please let me know
1. Why you are not taking drugs fir bronchiectesis?
2. Is your GERD controlled with nexium?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

I am not taking bronchodilators because they did not help at all.
As for the Nexium it only mildly helps. I have been taking it since 2003.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get done fresh PFT report to know the severity of obstruction.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should first get done repeat PFT report to know the severity of obstruction. If it is worsening as compare to previous report then you must start inhaled bronchodilators.
For GERD, better to take proton pump inhibitors and prokinetic drugs combination in place of plain proton pump inhibitors (nexium).
This will help help you more.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can expect ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar