Can asthma/chronic cough be a symptom

aranchmom
aranchmom Posts: 176 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
...of gluten intolerance?
My husband has been dealing with chronic coughing, asthma, wheezing and just feeling sick, for 8 months or so. He never had asthma before, and the Dr's just brush it off with an; "oh well, some people just aquire it later in life like that". I feel sure there is an underlying cause... Just wondering if it could be gluten? Anyone else have this problem? I would love to do testing, but finances being what they are, its not gonna happen just now.
We started gluten-free this week, no difference yet. Just curious if anyone with diagnsed gluten intolerance/celiac has personally had this. I have googled it - just like personal stories. :smile:
He has felt 'under-the-weather' for sevral years, now. the asthma/cough just started in 2011.

Replies

  • wd61dp
    wd61dp Posts: 19 Member
    Doesn't sound like gluten. I had a similiar problem that went on for a couple of years. After beiong tested for food intolerances I found out that I was allergis to red pepper and especially black pepper. When I eliminated both of them, my cough disappeared.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    I don't think it is gluten, it is probably enviromental....mold, dust, etc....did anything change recentally..new job, new car, new house, new pet, etc????

    He should track his symptons witha food and travel journal to see if you can find a pattern....does he feel worse in the am or pm or just on work days :)...

    without spending the money to see an allergist, that is the best you can do
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    Any chance he has acid reflux? That can contribute to asthma-like symptoms, cough and congestion. I'm going through it right now, and my experience with doctors is, if they can't find an easy cause/cure, they say, "live with it."
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    Has he had a chest x-ray? With a chronic cough, that should be one of the first things the doctor does to rule out any more serious problems with the lungs.
  • Fubar_Bill
    Fubar_Bill Posts: 120 Member
    Thank you!!!

    I have been suffering from the chronic cough for the last couple of years now and I will ask my doctor for a referal to an allergy specialist when I seem him this month.

    Interesting Note:

    Although I cough at all times of day, I have no problem going 45minutes on an elliptical trainer at the gym with no cough at all.
  • sugiravi
    sugiravi Posts: 48
    It's not a 'symptom' but celiac disease can be related to COPD (asthma/chronic bronchitis etc...). I think you'll find this article helpful --> http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/commoncomplicationsofcd/a/Celiac-Disease-Copd.htm

    But yeah, follow up with the doctor, especially important if he's a smoker. I mean 8 months means whatever it is is chronic, and if he's coughing up sputum that's yellowish then that's not asthma, it's probably bronchitis. Anyway, it sounds like you have it handled and you were just curious about the link to coughing-- so yeah, you were right, there's a connection. I just really don't think reading personal stories will get you the answers you want, stick to medical sites, they break it down for you :)
  • FabCheeky
    FabCheeky Posts: 311
    It was for me.
    I had to go on a paleo style diet and then slowly add things back in to find the cause. My body can't handle wheat/gluten, soy, or dairy at all. I also have a gluten style reaction when I eat corn, but that reaction is what the docs call 'cross reactivity' and I can handle corn starch in small portions---just not the corn meal, corn kernels, etc.

    Eating this way has cured my 'asthma' which I was diagnosed with at 30 that no medication really got under control.
    It also cured my joint and gut issues---that I've had as long as I can remember and just thought that was my life.
    I also no longer have a problem with migraines or insomnia.

    I want to write so much more, because there is so much more to tell.---but I've got too much to do today.

    If you're going to do this, don't do GF replacement foods at first. Just do meat, fresh veggies, fresh fruit, extra virgin olive and coconut oil, eggs and soaked nuts. Add GF replacements after you've been off of all of that for a month. Some GF grains cause cross reactivity and your body can treat them like gluten. "Soaked/Sprouted" grain breads that have wheat are NOT safe and shouldn't be eaten.
  • aranchmom
    aranchmom Posts: 176 Member
    He has never smoked.
    He has it pretty much all day/night. Worse when he works hard.
    He has been to the dr several times, they have him on heavy duty steroids/inhalers that don't really do much.
    He did have a chest xray - nothing to see.
    Thats why its so frustrating...

    Thanks for all the stories/advice. :)
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    He has been to the dr several times, they have him on heavy duty steroids/inhalers that don't really do much.

    Thanks for all the stories/advice. :)

    Just me, but if he had asthma, the asthma meds would be working, so you can probably rule asthma out. I am a severe asthmatic on inhaled steroids daily, when I am wheezing the meds do work
  • TimWilkinson101
    TimWilkinson101 Posts: 163 Member
    I "acquired" asthma a few year back (in my thirties) and I put this down to driving miles on my motorbike past fields of rape seed. I didnt actually know I had asthma until I had a cough that just wouldnt go. After 6 months of a constant cough I went and saw a doctor and although my peak flow is great (better than most people's) I need the inhalers.

    I suffer mostly in the winter (coming from cold into hot environments) and when there is a lot of pollen around. I found that I have more "energy" now that I take the inhalers when needed as I'm actually getting enough oxygen.

    Never heard of it being a food allergy problem, but I'm lactose intolerant so its possible. Finding out what you're allergic to can be time consuming though and these online firms that say they can do it tend to not be too scientific about their methods... or so I heard.
  • FabCheeky
    FabCheeky Posts: 311
    Here! I finally found it. Check out this list of symptoms of Celiac:
    http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/CDCFactSheets10_SymptomList.pdf
  • aranchmom
    aranchmom Posts: 176 Member
    Here! I finally found it. Check out this list of symptoms of Celiac:
    http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/CDCFactSheets10_SymptomList.pdf
    wow! Thats a huge list! thanks. I appreciate it.
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