Pulmonology Advisor interviewed Gaurav Singh, MD, MPH, and Michelle Zeidler, MD, about OSA and asthma.

Dr Singh: Lifestyle interventions may be helpful in improving asthma control and severity of OSA, as they share common risk factors. Examples include weight loss and smoking cessation. Obesity is an established risk factor for OSA and asthma, and cigarette smoking can also worsen asthma and OSA symptoms through airway inflammation. Thus, weight loss and smoking cessation can improve both asthma and OSA. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also contribute to poor asthma control and the development of OSA. Lifestyle modification to treat GERD, such as avoiding lying down after a meal and avoiding certain foods, may help.