You, like 25 million Americans, suffer from asthma. These days, your goal has been to identify asthma triggers so that you can avoid them. But you must have missed one.
Just what might that trigger be?
When we think of asthma, we think of triggers like smoke and stress. However, there is another trigger that can be just as important. That trigger is food. That’s because in some, food can actually cause asthma attacks.
Experts say that understanding this concept comes down to how one’s system reacts to food allergens in general. According to Asthma UK, when you encounter a food allergen, your immune system counters that reaction by releasing histamine. This is a chemical that triggers the symptoms we think of when it comes to allergic reactions. For example, your eyes may get red, you may sneeze, or you may start to itch.
This is where an allergic reaction to food differs in those with asthma. When you have asthma, this reaction may also entail asthma symptoms-like that familiar tightness in your chest or general trouble breathing.
While experts say that no diet can completely curb symptoms of asthma, there are chemicals and types of foods that can serve as triggers. The first of these is sulfites.