Overview
Asthma attacks can sometimes be unpredictable and no one really knows exactly what causes it. One moment you are just hanging out with friends, the next thing you know is that you’re having asthma attacks. What we can be certain of is the fact that it is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways and that the causes can vary from person to person. This means that when the airways come into contact with a certain substance, they become inflamed, narrow, and filled with mucus.
Although people with asthma have different triggers that cause an attack, there are some foods that are more prone to cause asthma than others. If you have asthma and a food allergy, then you might be more at risk of asthma that’s life-threatening. In today’s blog, we are going to list down foods you need to steer clear of in order to avoid triggering asthma symptoms.
Food as an Asthma Trigger
Individuals with asthma have different triggers. It could be because of exposure to an allergen such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. For some, it could be irritants in the air such as chemical fumes, smoke, or perfume. However, there are people with asthma that get triggered by the food they eat. So, why can food trigger asthma symptoms? It could be because you’re allergic or sensitive to certain food.
If you’re allergic to a certain food, then being exposed to it could trigger an allergic reaction. It could quickly bring on your asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulty. It is critical for people with food allergies to always be mindful of the food they consume. There are some people who are not allergic to certain food or preservatives but they become sensitive when they eat it. This is called food intolerance. This means that your body responds to the food and not your immune system.
Foods that Trigger Asthma Attacks
For people with asthma, dealing with asthma attacks is no fun. If you or a loved one is suffering from this condition, avoiding certain food can go a long way in reducing the frequency of asthma attacks. Here are some foods that can trigger asthma attacks:
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Eggs
Egg allergies are very common, especially for children. People who are allergic to eggs develop skin reactions such as hives when they are exposed to it. If you have asthma and you’re also sensitive to eggs, it might trigger an asthma attack instead of having hives.
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Milk
We all know that milk is one of the essential sources of calcium. However, there are a few asthma sufferers who will benefit when they cut out milk and other dairy products in their diet. If you’re allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance, then it might be good for you if you’ll just avoid it altogether. This is because people who are already allergic to dairy products since they were young can suffer wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness. If you find out that your asthma symptoms are indeed triggered by milk or other dairy products, then you need to find another source of calcium and Vitamin D.
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Wheat
People with a wheat allergy have an abnormal immune system response to at least one of the proteins in wheat. When the body comes across the substance, the immune system reacts by making immunoglobulin E antibodies. These antibodies then cause the actual symptoms of asthma such as breathing difficulties, nausea, wheezing, and coughing.
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Dried Fruits
Most people would assume that eating dried fruits is always good for the body. Dried fruits may be healthy but it may not be the best food for people with asthma. As a matter of fact, it contains a preservative called sulfite that can trigger asthma attacks. If you want to eat dried fruits, it would be better if you dry them yourself. If not, then you might as well just stick to fresh fruits.
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Salt
Asthma causes inflammation in the throat and tightens the airways making it difficult for the patient to breathe. Salt contributes to asthma symptoms because it encourages fluid retention that can increase inflammation. If you’re into salty food, maybe it’s time to cut some of it to your diet. Avoiding or lessening your salt intake can reduce the chances of an asthma attack.
Other foods that can trigger an asthma attack include mushroom, shrimp, peanuts, soy, fish, tree nuts, pickled foods, potatoes, wine, and beer.
Final Thoughts
There are still many foods out there that can cause an asthma attack. However, it can be inferred that food that triggers an allergic reaction are likely to trigger an asthmatic reaction. And so, it is important to be careful about what you eat.
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, Dr. Paul Jantzi, a board-certified allergist and immunologist, provides asthma and allergy treatments in Texas, you can visit Brazos Valley Allergy & Asthma Clinics in College Station, Bastrop, Brenham, Columbus, Giddings and La Grange. We provide professional services to help you deal with your allergy and asthma symptoms. Schedule a meeting with us now.