GERD, Asthma, and other Respiratory Problems

The adage “all that wheezes is not asthma”, was first recognized by Chevallier Jackson about 100 years ago. It still rings true today. But is this a time-line of futility? Note the following facts:
In 1907 Sir William Osler reported on night time asthma…“attacks may be due to direct irritation of bronchial mucosa or…indirectly, too, by reflex influences from the stomach”.
In 1934, Bray proposed reflex mediated bronchoconstriction through the vagus nerve as a cause of wheezing.
In 1962, “Silent Gastroesophageal Reflux: An Important but little Known Cause of Pulmonary Complications” by J.H. Kennedy, Diseases of the Chest was published.
The book, “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Airway Disease” edited by Dr. Mark R. Stein, in 1999, is a wonderful insight into this unapparent issue of asthma and a host of other pulmonary pathologies, originating from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
I authored “Are You Sick of Being Sick?” in 2002 largely dealing with similar issues.
Some call the pulmonary problems associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) “gastric asthma”. Yet you NEVER hear a TV commercial for acid blockers to treat asthma. This is because manufacturers have not sought Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. They know that physicians routinely use medications “off label”, i.e. not approved by the FDA. Providers commonly find benefits in conditions beyond those acknowledged when approval was obtained from the FDA. The conventional wisdom for asthma therapy is using steroids, airway stimulants, mucus thinners, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications usually via inhalers. Yet GERD is associated with asthma in 82% of cases according to University of Virginia School of Medicine, 2003. Further more, they confirmed that, “larger doses” of acid reducers (than those used for heartburn) for a “longer period of time”, are necessary to relieve respiratory problems. They also point out that “most physicians” are not aware of these concepts. Where is the National Institute of Health?