Overview
Wheat allergy is an allergic reaction to foods containing wheat. Allergic reactions can be caused by eating wheat and also, in some cases, by inhaling wheat flour.
Avoiding wheat is the primary treatment for wheat allergy, but that isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Wheat is found in many foods, including some you might not suspect, such as soy sauce, ice cream and hot dogs. Medications may be necessary to manage allergic reactions if you accidentally eat wheat.
Wheat allergy sometimes is confused with celiac disease, but these conditions differ. Wheat allergy occurs when your body produces antibodies to proteins found in wheat. In celiac disease, a specific protein in wheat — gluten — causes a different kind of abnormal immune system reaction.
Symptoms
A child or adult with wheat allergy is likely to develop signs and symptoms within minutes to hours after eating something containing wheat. Wheat allergy signs and symptoms include:
- Swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or throat
- Hives, itchy rash or swelling of the skin
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Cramps, nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
For some people, wheat allergy may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. In addition to other signs and symptoms of wheat allergy, anaphylaxis may cause:
- Swelling or tightness of the throat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Pale, blue skin color
- Dizziness or fainting
When to see a doctor
If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 or your local emergency number. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate care.
If you suspect that you or your child is allergic to wheat or another food, see your doctor.
Causes
If you have wheat allergy, exposure to a wheat protein primes your immune system for an allergic reaction. You can develop an allergy to any of the four classes of wheat proteins — albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten.
Sources of wheat proteins
Some sources of wheat proteins are obvious, such as bread, but all wheat proteins — and gluten in particular — can be found in many prepared foods and even in some cosmetics, bath products and play dough. Foods that may include wheat proteins include:
- Breads and bread crumbs
- Cakes, muffins and cookies
- Breakfast cereals
- Pasta
- Couscous
- Farina
- Semolina
- Spelt
- Crackers
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Soy sauce
- Meat products, such as hot dogs
- Dairy products, such as ice cream
- Natural flavorings
- Gelatinized starch
- Modified food starch
- Vegetable gum
If you have wheat allergy, it’s possible you might also be allergic to barley, oats and rye. Unless you’re allergic to grains other than wheat, though, the recommended wheat-free diet is less restrictive than a gluten-free diet.
Wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis
Some people with wheat allergy develop symptoms only if they exercise within a few hours after eating wheat. Exercise-induced changes in your body either trigger an allergic reaction or worsen an immune system response to a wheat protein. This condition usually results in life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Risk factors
Certain factors may put you at greater risk of developing wheat allergy:
- Family history. You’re at increased risk of allergy to wheat or other foods if your parents have food allergies or other allergies, such as asthma.
- Age. Wheat allergy is most common in babies and toddlers, who have immature immune and digestive systems. Most children outgrow wheat allergy by 16, but adults can develop it, often as a cross-sensitivity to grass pollen.
In April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the removal of all forms of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine (Zantac) from the United States market. They made this recommendation because unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen (or cancer-causing chemical), were present in some ranitidine products. People taking prescription ranitidine should talk with their doctor about safe alternative options before stopping the drug. People taking OTC ranitidine should stop taking the drug and talk with a healthcare professional about alternative options. Instead of taking unused ranitidine products to a drug take-back site, a person should dispose of them according to the product’s instructions or by following the FDA’s guidance.
Possible causes of shortness of breath after eating include food allergies, inhaling food particles, and acid reflux.
There are many possible reasons why a person may feel out of breath after eating. It can be an uncomfortable or distressing experience but is typically not a cause for concern. The treatments differ depending on the cause.
This article outlines some of these causes and information on treatments and when to contact a doctor.
2. Inhaling food particles
Occasionally, people may inhale small particles of food or liquid while eating. This is called pulmonary aspiration.
People with healthy lungs are typically able to cough up these particles. Coughing can cause temporary shortness of breath and possibly a sore throat.
When a person’s lungs cannot bring up the particles, the person may develop aspiration pneumonia. This occurs when particles cause an infection inside the air sacs of one or both lungs.
Symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:
- chest pain
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- a cough producing foul-smelling, green, or bloody phlegm
- unpleasant breath odor
- difficulty swallowing
- fever
- excessive sweating
- fatigue
Treatment for aspiration pneumonia depends on a person’s overall health and the severity of their condition. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
3. Heartburn
A person experiencing heartburn may feel short of breath after eating or start to wheeze. This is due to stomach acid flowing back up the pipe that connects the stomach to the mouth, known as the esophagus.
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux. When acid rises back up into a person’s throat, it can irritate the airways and cause them to swell. This can cause breathing difficulties.
Other common symptoms of heartburn include:
- feeling of warmth, heat, or burning in the chest or throat
- burning sensation in the middle of the chest
- burning, indigestion-like pain
- a foul, acidic taste in the mouth
Difficulty breathing can also be a symptom of persistent acid reflux, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
A person may wish to speak with their doctor about treating heartburn symptoms with medicines, including:
- proton pump inhibitors, which work by reducing the amount of stomach acid
- antacids, which are medications that neutralize stomach acid
- H2 blockers, which reduce the amount of stomach acid by binding to cells that stimulate hydrochloric acid production in the stomach
Making lifestyle and dietary changes may also ease or help prevent heartburn. People who experience heartburn may find relief by avoiding acidic foods and caffeine.
Exercising frequently, eating smaller meals, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, and staying upright after eating can all help to alleviate heartburn symptoms.
4. Hiatus hernia
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A hiatus hernia can cause pain in the middle or upper abdomen.
A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue squeezes into a part of the body where it does not belong.
A hiatus hernia is where the stomach bulges up into the chest through the muscle wall that separates the diaphragm and the abdomen. A hiatus hernia can cause shortness of breath that worsens after eating.
A paraesophageal hernia is a type of hiatus hernia that occurs when the stomach squeezes up next to the esophagus. If it grows too big, it can push on the diaphragm and squash the lungs, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be worse after eating, as a full stomach increases the pressure on the diaphragm.
Some paraesophageal hernias do not require treatment. However, a person may require surgery if they experience the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- pain in the middle or upper abdomen
- difficulty swallowing
- stomach ulcer
- GERD
A surgeon will usually repair a paraesophageal hernia using keyhole surgery, or laparoscopic surgery. They will place a tiny lighted camera, called a laparoscope, into the esophagus to view and move the stomach back into position.
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and most people make a full recovery within 4 weeks.
5. GERD-related asthma
People who have asthma may experience shortness of breath after eating, particularly if they also have GERD.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease affecting the airways within the lungs. In asthma, allergens or irritants entering the airway cause them to narrow. This triggers a range of respiratory symptoms, including:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- coughing
- tightness in the chest
What is GERD?
GERD is a digestive disorder affecting the muscles in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
Typically, the muscles in the esophagus narrow after eating to keep the food in the stomach. When a person has GERD, these muscles do not close up completely, allowing stomach acid and partially digested food to travel back up into the esophagus. This acid reflux can cause heartburn.
What is the link between GERD and asthma?
People with asthma are at a higher risk of developing GERD.
In GERD-related asthma, stomach acid irritates the nerve endings in the esophagus. The brain responds by narrowing the small airways in the lungs, which triggers asthma symptoms.
Sometimes, a person might inhale stomach acid into their lungs. This irritates the airways and can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, and chest tightness.
Treatment
The key to treating GERD-related asthma is to treat acid reflux. Treatments include:
- OTC medications such as Pepcid A-C
- eating five or six small meals a day rather than three large meals
- wearing loose clothing around the waistline
- avoiding lying down within 3 hours of eating
- quitting smoking
People with GERD may also choose to avoid the following foods, which may trigger acid reflux in some people:
- fried and fatty foods
- alcohol
- caffeinated drinks
- chocolate
- peppermint
- citrus fruits
- onions
- garlic
- tomato-based products
- spicy foods
6. COPD
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A persistent cough and tightness in the chest are potential symptoms of COPD.
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult for the body to move air into and out of the lungs.
People with COPD may experience shortness of breath, resulting in reduced energy levels. This can make everyday activities difficult.
Because breathing and digestion both require a lot of energy, some people with COPD may become breathless after eating meals.
Other common symptoms of COPD include:
- frequent coughing
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Having a full stomach or a bloated abdomen can worsen breathing difficulties in people with COPD. People may find their symptoms ease if they eat small, frequent meals instead of fewer large meals.
The COPD Foundation offers some other tips for reducing shortness of breath after eating, including:
- taking time to digest after eating a meal
- eating slowly
- eating foods that require less chewing, such as mashed potatoes or soup
- eating fewer sugary foods that can cause tiredness
- restricting foods that cause bloating, such as raw fruit and vegetables
- avoiding lying down after meals
- avoiding eating while short of breath, as this can trap gas, which worsens breathing difficulties
People who experience ongoing shortness of breath after meals should contact a doctor. The doctor will conduct tests to determine the underlying cause and may prescribe medications to ease symptoms.
Sometimes, shortness of breath can indicate a serious underlying medical condition. According to the American Lung Association, it is important to seek medical attention if shortness of breath occurs while at rest, lasts longer than 30 minutes, or occurs alongside any of the following:
- pain or pressure in the chest
- difficulty breathing when lying flat
- wheezing
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- fever, chills, and cough
- blue tinge to the lips or fingertips
- swelling of the feet or ankles
Summary
Breathing difficulties that occur after eating may be a one-off symptom caused by breathing in a small particle of food or liquid.
However, people who experience shortness of breath after every meal or eating certain foods should contact a doctor to find out the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the breathlessness.
Sometimes, breathing difficulties can suggest a serious underlying medical condition. It can help to know the signs and symptoms that indicate a need for urgent medical attention.
