Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is the presence of systemic atherosclerosis in arteries distal to the arch of the aorta. As a result of the atherosclerotic process, patients with PVD develop narrowing of these arteries.
Whether your shortness of breath is related strictly to GERD or is due to GERD-related asthma, there are small steps you can take to prevent and treat it. Often, the most effective steps to prevent GERD involve making some lifestyle changes.
The complaint: I find it difficult to breathe in the cold. The Reason: If you have actual shortness of breath, you may want to consult with your doctor, recommends Dr. Alan Cohen, an Otolaryngologist with Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of New York, as it could be exercise-induced asthma.