Allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can all contribute to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and strained breathing. Whether these symptoms are severe and chronic or simply annoying, they commonly involve the immune system reacting to a certain substance in the wrong way. With 70% of the body’s immune system tied to the gut, diet may be a path to relief for children and adults suffering from breathing issues. Common treatments like Spariva, Flovent and Advair are often prescribed to help with airflow.
Below are five common foods that might trigger breathing problems:
1. Eggs
Egg allergies may trigger breathing problems at any age, though this cause is most commonly seen in young children under five years old. These patients’ immune systems may react to ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, or any other protein found in egg whites or yolks. Avoiding any food made with egg products could be a solution to your child’s breathing problems. The good news about egg allergies is that they are often outgrown with time. Studies have shown that two thirds of kids with an egg allergy will be able to enjoy eggs without symptoms by the age of five, though patients with a severe allergy may need to wait longer.
2. Cow’s milk
A milk allergy is a common cause of breathing problems in young children and those with a family history of allergies. Dairy allergies are different from lactose intolerance, since it affects the immune system, not the digestive system. Even lactose-free food still contains milk proteins that could trigger an allergic reaction. Avoiding food and drinks that contain cow’s milk or milk products may tell your breathing problems to “moooove over.”
3. Shellfish
Some people are allergic to shellfish such as crab, shrimp, and oysters. In these patients, the immune system will usually attack a protein called tropomyosin, triggering breathing problems. Short or strained breathing could also be triggered by cross-contaminated food or any other source of tropomyosin (for example, cockroaches or dust mites). This allergy usually affects only older children and adults. Reactions may be severe and warrant emergency attention, including epinephrine, though mild breathing problems after an accidental exposure could be treated with antihistamines (Claritin) or steroids (prednisone).
4. Peanuts and tree nuts
Breathing problems can be tough to diagnose, but if problems are severe an allergy to peanuts or tree nuts could be a cause. Wheezing, lung spasms, or other breathing difficulties may occur after exposure to even a trace amount of nut proteins. A reaction could be triggered by the individual eating, touching, or even breathing in the allergen. Researchers are currently designing medications to prevent breathing problems if a patient is accidentally exposed to nuts. However, the best way for these patients to prevent issues remains to avoid nuts and any food or environment where nuts or related dust may be present.
5. Gluten
In people with celiac disease, gluten can be a cause of gut issues or skin rashes. However, did you know it can also cause breathing problems in the form of allergies? In allergic patients, wheezing, shortness of breath, or other respiratory problems can accompany symptoms of celiac disease. Wheat allergies can be treated with a gluten-free diet, though allergic patients may continue eating oat, barley, and rye products. Some very mildly-allergic patients may only display breathing problems after exercising and may otherwise tolerate wheat products.
If you suspect that you or your child’s coughs, wheezes, or short/strained breaths are related to food, it is best to avoid the food and talk with an allergy specialist. A well-trained professional can run sensitivity testing and suggest personalized, evidence-based dietary changes to get you back to breathing easy.
