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Foods That Cause Asthma Attacks

Foods That Cause Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. It causes the airways to become inflamed, swell, and produces extra mucus, which causes difficulty breathing. Symptoms of asthma include chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Patients often manage asthma with help from doctor-prescribed rescue inhalers and controller inhalers to minimize the symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. 

For severe cases of asthma, patients may be prescribed a longer-acting inhaler (or long-acting beta 2-agonist Salmeterol and formoterol inhaler) to keep the airways open. Also, health experts often recommend avoiding certain foods in order to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, such as:

1. Eggs
Many individuals are sensitive to eggs, and they get skin reactions such as hives. On the other hand, people living with asthma should know that if they have a slight egg sensitivity or allergy, it may lead to an asthma attack rather than hives. Such individuals should avoid consuming eggs. However, those with more severe asthma have low vitamin D and may require foods like fish, eggs, and milk

2. Wheat
Wheat contains globulin and albumin amino acids that cause an asthmatic or allergic reaction. When consumed, gluten may cause the body’s immune system to make antibodies, leading to an asthmatic attack. So, you should avoid consuming wheat to reduce an asthma attack’s severity when you develop the symptoms

3. Shellfish
Just like other foods can cause allergies, shellfish may also make you susceptible to an asthma attack. It also includes sulfites, which people living with asthma can be vulnerable to. It is used as a preservative; hence, it may be found in dried fruits, pickles, and wine. Asthma may also be caused by disclosure to airborne materials produced in the processing of shellfish. Whereby some shellfish protein becomes airborne and enters the lungs causing difficulties in breathing, tightness of chest, and wheezing

4. Soy
Soy is a product of soybeans, and it is a common food allergy. Though many children outgrow the soy allergy, some still carry it to adulthood. Its signs and symptoms include itching around and in the mouth. Soy allergy may rarely cause a severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis. It’s likely to occur in individuals with asthma or to people with other food allergies besides soy

5. Cow’s milk
Mostly the cow’s milk (or casein) causes allergic reactions to children. Frequently, kids with a milk allergy may have slow reactions, which means that the symptoms will improve over time. The milk may be linked up to asthma because it causes more mucus in the body. Individuals with asthma may get much more mucus in the lungs

6. Nut
Nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. It’s also one of the most regularly linked to anaphylaxis, a possible life-threatening reaction that damages your breathing and may lead to shock. Since it is triggering allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, it is more likely to trigger asthmatic reactions. Its symptoms include:

  • Cramps, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain
  • Difficulty swallowing or complete closing of the throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Hives, or itching of the mouth, eyes, skin, throat, etc.
  • Runny nose or nasal congestion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Redness or flushing of the skin