Breathing issues can be one of the most difficult health issues to deal with, making sleep, work, and even spending time with friends and family hard.  Fortunately, doctors can recommend several medications, breathing therapies, and dietary changes to help improve your breathing. If you’re dealing with a health issue such as asthma, (nontuberculous mycobacterial) NTM lung disease, MAC lung infection, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection), COPD, allergies, cold/flu, chronic rhinosinusitis nasal polyposis CRSwNP, or nasal polyps, you may need to speak to your doctor about treatment drugs such as Robitussin, Theraflu, Stiolto, Flonase, Afrin, and NUCALA prescription for nasal polyposis sinus as well as also avoid the following trigger foods:

1. Fructose
Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in many different foods, including fruits and vegetables. This carbohydrate has been shown to cause inflammation in the respiratory system. People diagnosed with asthma or allergies should avoid fructose because it can trigger inflammation in the lungs, affecting breathing

2. Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks are high in carbon dioxide. This gas can cause inflammation in the respiratory system and make it difficult to breathe. This also increases mucus production, which can aggravate respiratory problems

3. Fried foods and saturated fats
Fried foods are often high in omega 6 fatty acids. This type of fat has been shown to increase inflammation in the respiratory system and cause breathing problems like asthma and bronchitis. Saturated fats are another type of fat that can increase inflammation in the respiratory system. This can lead to breathing problems like asthma and other respiratory problems

4. Processed meats
Processed meats can contain additives that cause inflammation in the respiratory tract. This makes it harder to breathe, especially for people with asthma attack or allergies.

5. Cow’s milk
Milk is another common food that can trigger breathing issues. Besides being difficult for some people to digest, milk can cause inflammation in the respiratory tract. The whey protein found in cow’s milk has been shown to trigger symptoms like congestion and constriction of airways. Milk also increases mucus production, making breathing affected by COPD even harder to do

6. Shellfish
Shellfish such as shrimp, mussels, crab and lobster are other foods that can cause breathing problems because they contain high levels of iodine. Iodine is a gas that can aggravate the respiratory system and cause breathing issues

7. Peanuts and tree nuts
These nuts are among the most common food allergens. They can cause breathing problems because they contain a protein called Ara h2. This protein can trigger an allergic response that leads to inflammation in the respiratory system

8. Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It has been shown to cause inflammation in the respiratory system for people with gluten-related sensitivities. If you have breathing issues, then you should avoid gluten-containing foods. Foods with gluten also increase mucus production, which can worsen respiratory problems’ symptoms

If you have been diagnosed with a breathing problem like asthma or bronchitis, eating certain foods can worsen your allergy signs and symptoms. This is why it is essential to talk to your doctor or nutritionist about what foods you should avoid. By following asthma, COPD and NTM treatment guidelines recommended by your healthcare provider, you can help keep your breathing under control and minimize your symptoms.