Foods That Trigger Asthma Attacks
Asthma is a long-term lung disease that causes the inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it hard to breath. Some of the symptoms of asthma include wheezing when breathing, coughing especially in the night or early morning, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, pain, or pressure. An asthma trigger makes the symptoms for asthma to get worse suddenly, causing labored breathing and chest pains in some instances. In such instances, urgent medical attention may be necessary.
Believe it or not certain foods contain components that may trigger reactions in persons with asthma or an asthma attack. Knowing what foods trigger your asthma can help you avoid breathing issues and frequent asthma attacks:
1. Eggs
Many people have had an allergic reaction to eggs. As one of the leading triggers for allergies, it is responsible for various conditions such as skin irritation and eczema. It is also a trigger for asthma symptoms in some people, especially children. Taking raw, undercooked, or medium cooked eggs increases the risk of an asthma attack. Although people may outgrow egg allergies, you still need to be careful as eggs may trigger serious asthma symptoms that may turn fatal
2. Dairy milk
Milk is one of the most nutritious foods. However, milk sourced from animals (i.e., cows) is also one of the leading triggers to different allergies. Some people with asthma may have allergic reactions to milk, which may trigger adverse asthma symptoms. Thus, while it is nutritious, you should assess your body’s reaction to milk. Lactose intolerant people are at a higher risk of asthmatic reactions to milk
3. Nuts
Nuts can trigger some of the most aggressive allergic reactions in some people. Nuts continue to be a trigger for asthma from early childhood into adulthood. If you have nut allergies, you need to avoid nut products such as peanut butter as they would trigger aggressive asthma attacks. Anyone with nut allergies is at a high risk of having allergies to grass, dust mites, pollen, weeds, and grass, which are also triggers for asthma
4. Soy
Soya is the second most common food allergen after milk. The allergies exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, causing problems to the patient. Soy is mainly a trigger during early to late childhood. As an allergen, soya triggers allergies that are likely to lead to asthma symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and chest pains
5. Wheat
Most people that are allergic to wheat react to the albumin and globulin amino acids in the wheat. The gluten in the wheat causes the body to produce immunoglobulin E antibodies, which attack the body, causing asthma symptoms. If you are allergic to wheat, you are likely to experience nausea, wheezing, or coughing when your immune system produces the antibodies in response to the gluten
6. Shellfish
Shellfish ranks among the top common triggers for allergies especially in children. The development of allergies to shellfish occurs mainly in adulthood and persists thereafter. Shellfish contains sulfites, which are a trigger for many allergies, including Asthma. Eating shellfish introduces sulfites into your body. The immune system then produces antibodies, which may cause asthma symptoms