How Can Eating Something Cause an Asthma Attack?

Many people ask the question “How can eating something cause me to have an asthma attack in my lungs?”

The answer is simple, but to understand this question, you first must gain an understanding of what asthma is. It is also essential to understand how asthma is developed and the difference between normal respiratory defence mechanisms for fighting foreign particle attacks in the lungs in comparison to what happens in an asthma attack.

Unlike other respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis, COPD and bronchiectasis, asthma is actually a hypersensitivity condition. An asthma attack is an immune response to enzymes, proteins and anti-enzymes released by a parasite or an antigen.

As part of the body’s immune response in an asthma attack, apart from the standard respiratory responses of inflammation and excess secretion of mucus, the body also releases several immune chemicals including immunoglobulin E or IgE (among others).

The release of IgE induces constriction of the smooth muscles around the outside of the airways, also known as bronchoconstriction. This constricts the airways more and helps amplify the cough mechanism and expel the parasite from the lungs.

We have similar defence systems (called mucociliary escalators) in other parts of our bodies, including the large and small intestines of our digestive system. All of these systems are connected through our circulatory system where the immune system works its magic. Let me explain this further and how it all works.

Because everything is connected by the circulatory system, when enzymes from allergens or secretions from a parasite—or chemicals in preservatives and additives similar to these enzymes—reach the walls of the intestines, this stimulates an immune response similar to an asthma attack and can also induce an asthma attack through the circulatory system.

What’s the Adaptive Immune System and How It Relates to Asthma?

Without going into too much detail, it is believed that asthma is usually developed from the first exposure to a specific parasitic attack and how the adaptive immune system combats this invasion.

The adaptive immune system reacts to new infections or attacks from foreign particles, bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. When our body is attacked for the first time, it can take 4–7 days to become activated against the infection. Then, memory cells are produced so that these cells respond quickly every time that infection occurs again.

What Is the Difference Between Normal Defense and Asthmatic Defense?

When a parasite or allergen attacks the host, it secretes a fluid (proteins, enzymes, and antienzymes) that break down the bonds between the skin cells (epithelium) so that the parasite can gain access to the tissue and absorb nutrients from the blood.

Normal Defense to Parasitic Attacks

In people without asthma, the first attack by a specific parasite (like dust mites or fungus) is typically from a large invasion. The body (both respiratory and digestive systems) responds in three ways:

1. Hypersecretion of mucus: Mucus globules release thicker mucus to block secretions from reaching and damaging the epithelium.
2. Inflammation of the epithelium: If secretions reach tissue cells, histamine is released to open blood vessels and allow white blood cells to fight the infection.
3. Cough: A cough expels the mucus and parasites through wind sheering, helping remove contaminated mucus.

Most dust mites are removed naturally by the mucociliary escalator. Symptoms only appear if the mucus can’t be cleared efficiently.

Asthma Defense to Parasitic Attacks

In asthma, the first attack may come from a smaller number of parasites. The body still uses the same three defences, but adds one more: bronchoconstriction—where airway muscles contract to help expel mucus faster and amplify the cough reflex.

How This Attack Leads to Asthma from Food

The body’s response during the first attack sets the adaptive immune system’s “memory” for future attacks. In asthma, this memory includes the bronchoconstriction mechanism, which then activates whenever similar secretions or chemicals are encountered—even in the gut.

Because the immune system is connected through the circulatory system, similar secretions from foods, preservatives, or additives can trigger asthma-like responses anywhere in the body.

• Asthma attack in the lungs
• Vomiting or diarrhea from the digestive system
• Rashes and inflammation of the skin

Chemicals in food that mimic parasitic secretions can therefore induce an asthma attack, nausea, or both. Consulting an immunologist is important to identify allergens or chemicals that affect you.

The Importance of Healthy Lungs

A healthy mucociliary escalator traps and removes up to 90% of foreign particles and is the first line of defence. If it becomes blocked, parasites, bacteria, and allergens can reach the airway walls, increasing the risk of asthma attacks or infections.

Interestingly, pollen may not directly cause asthma—rather, it’s the secretions or allergens it carries that trigger attacks when the mucociliary escalator isn’t functioning properly.

I know this article was long, but I hope you found it informative and helpful in understanding why eating certain foods can lead to an asthma attack.

References

1. Cruz et al. (2017). Global issues in allergy and immunology: Parasitic infections and allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
2. Saenz et al. (2010). IL25 elicits a multipotent progenitor cell population that promotes TH2 cytokine responses. Nature.
3. Medeiros Jr. et al. (2003). Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with a reduced course of asthma. JACI.
4. Hopkin (2009). Immune and genetic aspects of asthma, allergy and parasitic worm infections. Institute of Life Science, Swansea University.