3 trigger foods that asthma patients should avoid
There are no foods that can be used to exclusively cure asthma. But there are ways to avoid asthma attacks by paying attention to your meals. The onset of an asthma attack can be discomforting and could make the patient conscious in public places. This is why having a rescue inhaler is important during an outdoor trip. Apart from that, here are certain foods that could trigger an attack in some asthma patients.
Dried foods, pickled foods, and alcohol
These foods are high in sulfites, which may trigger an unpleasant episode of asthma. Besides these foods, alcohol and wine (especially white wine) contain high amounts of sulfites that could be an irritant for asthma patients. Usually, this compound is found in foods and beverages with a long shelf life. This also includes onions and garlic.
Teas, coffees, and spicy foods
Tea, coffee, and spicy foods contain salicylates. An asthma patient can develop intolerance towards salicylates, regardless of whether it comes from a natural or artificial source. One will have to eliminate certain foods from their daily meals to find out exactly which foods are causing an intolerance.
Beans, cabbage, and fried foods
These foods can lead to problems caused by excessive bloating. They are known to increase the pressure on the diaphragm, particularly if one suffers from acid reflux. In turn, this may lead to asthma flare-ups and chest tightness. Hence, it’s best to stay away from such foods.
Avoiding certain foods can help in alleviating asthma symptoms. But in certain cases, doctors are likely to prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms better. Below listed are some medicines that help manage asthma symptoms.
FASENRA (benralizumab)
This is a prescription medication administered in the form of a subcutaneous injection. It is used with other asthma medicines to keep the symptoms in check. FASENRA is prescribed for those aged 12 and above. It works by lowering the amount of blood eosinophils, which are known to be a contributor to asthma.
DUPIXENT (dupilumab)
This is also a medicine that is administered through an injection to prevent an asthma episode. However, it will be ineffective in stopping an attack that has already begun. In the case of an ongoing asthma attack, the doctor may only prescribe to use an inhaler.
The other medications used to prevent an asthma episode include prescribed medications like NUCALA and Tezepelumab. These should always be administered by a doctor.