Alcohol asthma: Alcohol as an asthma trigger

03.01.197422.09.2021 by alexxlab

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Alcohol as an asthma trigger

Find out why alcohol can be an asthma trigger, which drinks are most likely to set off symptoms, and how to lower your risk.

Histamine is a natural food and drink chemical. It’s the same substance that’s released in your body when you have an allergic reaction.
Sulphites are used in a range of foods and drinks as preservatives. They’re produced naturally when beer, wine, and cider are made, and more may be added to wine to stop it continuing to ferment in the bottle.

How quickly do people react to alcohol?

Everyone is different. Some people notice symptoms – tight chest, wheezing, feeling breathless – after just a few sips.

Others can have one or two drinks without problems. Some people might not have any reaction until the following day.

Some people find that alcohol makes them more sensitive to their other triggers.

It’s important to know how you react to try to lower your risk of asthma symptoms.

Make sure you always carry your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you, so you can deal with symptoms quickly if you do get them.

What alcoholic drinks are more likely to trigger asthma symptoms?

For some people, symptoms are triggered when they drink any kind of alcohol; others tell us that it’s only certain alcoholic drinks that cause a problem.

Alcoholic drinks most likely to trigger your asthma symptoms are wine (red, white, rose and sparkling), beer, and cider.

This is because they often contain high levels of sulphites or histamine.

Five tips to lower your risk of asthma symptoms from alcoholic drinks

1. Choose your alcohol wisely – or avoid it altogether

Cut out any type of drink you think brings on your symptoms to see if avoiding it makes a difference. Then stick to the drinks you know you’re okay with. Or you could try some non-alcoholic alternatives.

It’s also possible to get low-sulphite wines. Remember that even low-sulphite wines will contain some sulphites.

Be aware that triggers can change. “It’s not unusual for a drink to trigger symptoms where it didn’t before,” says Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK’s in-house GP, “so always have your reliever inhaler handy.”

Did you know? Some studies have also shown that people who drink above the recommended amount of alcohol per week (more than 14 units) become more sensitive to other asthma triggers – for example, pollen.

2. Share your asthma action plan with friends and family

Your asthma action plan lets people know when you might need your reliever inhaler and how they can help you if you get asthma symptoms. Make sure your asthma plan is regularly updated with your GP or asthma nurse.

You could keep a picture of it on your phone so it’s easy for your friends and family to see what to do if your symptoms get worse.

“Remember – if you’ve had a few drinks you may not be as quick to spot or take action to deal with your asthma symptoms developing,” says Dr Andy. “Sharing your action plan with friends and family could lower your risk of an asthma attack.”

3. Don’t skip your preventer medicine

Taking your preventer medicine every day as prescribed is the best defence against any of your asthma triggers. It stops your airways being as sensitive and likely to react.

“You might forget your evening preventer after a night out if you’ve had a few drinks. So, why not take it before you go out instead?” suggests Dr Andy.

4. Have an asthma review

An asthma review is a good chance to talk through any symptoms you’ve had and any patterns you’ve noticed.

For example, which drinks have affected you or if certain alcoholic drinks have started to trigger symptoms when they didn’t before.

“You can update your asthma action plan, and talk about your asthma medicines and how they’re working for you,” says Dr Andy. “Some medicines may be less effective if you’re drinking alcohol regularly.”

5. Talk to young adults with asthma about the risks of alcohol

If there’s a young adult in the house with asthma, make sure they understand that alcohol might trigger their asthma symptoms.

“Whether they’re going to their first festival or starting college, it’s good for young people to be aware of how to look after their asthma if they’re having a drink, and understand how drinking could trigger their symptoms,” says Dr Andy.

Need more support and advice?

If you’re concerned you, or someone you know, may have a drink problem, there’s a lot of good advice and support available to help you.

You can also speak to our respiratory nurse specialists by calling our Helpline on 0300 222 5800. Or you can chat with them via Whatsapp on O7378 606 728.

Last updated December 2020

Next review due December 2023

Alcoholic Drinks May Trigger Asthma Attacks

April 4, 2000 — Some asthmatics learn the hard way that drinking alcohol can trigger the wheezing, coughing symptoms of an asthma attack. A new study lends credibility to that link, and suggests that chemicals, such as sulfite preservatives in wine, may be the cause of these attacks.

Of all the alcoholic drinks included in the study, “wines were clearly the major offenders,” says Hassan Vally, BSc (Hons), author of the study in the March issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Vally is a researcher with the department of medicine at the University of Western Australia and the Asthma and Allergy Research Institute in Western Australia.

The basis for Vally’s study was a questionnaire sent to members of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia. More than 350 members were included in the study, ranging in age from 18 to 83 years, with an average age of 48.

They were asked when their asthma was diagnosed, how severe it was, what typically triggered attacks, and what asthma medications they were taking. They were also questioned about whether they had ever had an allergic, allergic-like, or asthmatic reaction to any alcoholic drinks. Specific drinks were listed: red and white wine, champagne, fortified wines (such as sherry and port), beer, and spirits (like brandy, whisky and vodka). A checklist of asthmatic symptoms was also included.

Overall, 43% of the respondents reported having allergic or allergic-like reactions to various alcoholic drinks. Thirty-three percent said alcohol had brought on asthma symptoms, with 26% saying asthma was the main adverse symptom they experienced after drinking.

Wines were the most frequent trigger, named by 38% of the respondents as causing allergic reactions and by 30% as causing asthma symptoms, the responses showed.

Red wine in particular was the biggest culprit, causing allergic reactions in 30% and asthmatic reactions in 24%. White wine caused allergy flare-ups in 26%, and asthma symptoms in 22%.

Asthma attacks triggered by drinking alcohol reportedly came on quickly (in less than an hour) and were of moderate severity. Women reported the most asthmatic reactions, as did people taking oral steroids, those who were young when they had their first asthma attack, and those who had visited an alternative health practitioner for asthma. Although the respondents reported numerous allergic symptoms associated with alcoholic drinks — including coughing, itching, facial swelling, stomach upset, and eczema — asthma was the adverse symptom most frequently reported.

“It’s hard to conclude too much from the study based on a questionnaire … because there are no objective data,” says Benjamin Gaston, MD, who reviewed the study for WebMD. He is associate professor of medicine in allergy, asthma, and immunology at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlotte. “Having said all that, I think what they find is true and useful to know.” He adds that asthma attacks and allergic reactions due to alcohol probably occur more often than previously thought.

The researchers note that, although attacks triggered by alcoholic beverages are usually not severe, their study shows that asthmatics should be cautious about drinking.

“There is a need for increased awareness … of the potential for these drinks to trigger asthma,” they write.

Does Alcohol Trigger Asthma Attacks?

If you suffer from asthma, it is important that you understand the asthma triggers that lead to flare-ups and attacks. A common concern among asthmatics is whether or not alcohol can trigger asthma attacks. Let’s take a closer look.

Does Alcohol Affect Asthma?

Studies indicate that alcohol does indeed affect asthma. A study by The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that 33% of people that took part in the study suffered from an asthma attack after consuming alcohol. Their attacks ranged from mild to moderate. This would indicate that about 1 in 3 adults with asthma should be monitoring their alcohol consumption.

What Causes Reactions in Asthmatics who Drink Alcohol?

Only a few studies focus on the relationship between alcohol consumption and asthma attacks. However, the studies that have been performed indicate three possible reasons why the effects of alcohol increase the risk of asthma attacks.

1. Histamine Resemblance

When allergens enter your body, the immune system releases a chemical called histamine. This chemical often causes you to have an allergic reaction. Something similar happens when you consume wine and beer. Several natural chemicals reside in alcohol that your body often misreads as histamines. This causes your body to respond to the chemical as an asthma trigger. Some people suffer from a stuffy nose, while others suffer a more severe asthma attack.

2. Sulfite Sensitivity

To preserve its freshness, wine contains a preservative called sulfite. It helps keep the wine from turning brown. This preservative often causes an allergic reaction in people, particularly those in or near the middle age. Although serious reactions are rare, sulfite allergy symptoms vary from wheezing to anaphylaxis, which shocks the body into an allergic reaction. This sulfite allergy could become an asthma trigger, in turn becoming an asthma attack.

3. Acid Reflux

Alcoholic beverages can cause acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when the acid in your stomach backs up into your esophagus. In extreme cases, this acid backs into the back of the throat and enters the breathing tubes located there. This happens soon after alcohol is consumed or while you sleep. The body produces mucus to trap the acid, and the results often lead to an asthma attack.

4. Heightened Anxiety

Often, intaking large amounts of alcohol heightens anxiety. For many people, anxiety (and the often-accompanying rapid breathing) is a key asthma trigger that might cause a serious attack.

Is Alcohol Safe to Consume if You Have Asthma?

Many believe that drinking alcohol and wine in small amounts has health benefits. However, The Lancet published a study in 2018 that may indicate otherwise. They found that overall, the negative health effects of drinking alcohol may outweigh any health benefits. Regardless, the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that moderate alcohol intake is acceptable for healthy individuals. There have been no guidelines set by medical professionals for those with compromised lung function.

Commons sense says that since studies have indicated that alcohol can trigger asthma, that you moderate your drinking and keep track of your response. The easiest way to log lung function over time is with a handheld spirometer.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that alcohol may provoke your asthma even if it does not cause it. The best way to tell if alcohol is one of your asthma triggers is to thoroughly monitor your symptoms in correlation with any alcohol consumption.

Common Questions About Alcohol & Asthma

Here are a few frequently asked questions about alcohol and asthma that might answer some of yours.

1. Can asthmatics drink alcohol?

Whether or not you should drink alcohol depends largely on the advice of your doctor. While it has been shown that drinking alcohol can worsen asthma symptoms, this is not the case for every asthmatic. Simply monitor your symptoms, discuss it with your doctor, and drink in moderation.

2. Which alcoholic drink is good for asthma?

Alcoholic drinks with fewer sulfites are considered possible options for asthmatics. These include clear spirits such as gin and vodka. Although these are safer options, they should still be consumed with caution.

3. Can alcohol affect your breathing?

Because many alcoholic beverages contain sulfites, asthmatics can be susceptible to an asthma attack after drinking.

4. Is red wine good for asthma?

Research done by Georgia State University has shown that red wine contains a component that can help control inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. This could be beneficial for those who suffer from asthma.

Does Drinking Trigger Asthma Symptoms?

3rd May 2018 12:29 pm

By Club Soda Posted in Health

As it was World Asthma Day on Tuesday 1st May, we thought it would be a good time to write about the links between asthma and alcohol.

Does alcohol have a direct effect on asthma sufferers and their symptoms?

According to Asthma UK, 75% of people with asthma have reported that alcohol does indeed trigger their symptoms. It could be alcohol in general which worsens or triggers symptoms or it could be a particular drink that is the culprit. They’ve listed red wine as the top offender for asthma and alcohol issues, followed by white wine, then beer, then cider.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a study in 2000 which reported that out of 350 adults who were asked to describe their triggers, 33% reported that alcohol has triggered an asthma attack at least twice. But again, wine was listed as a specific allergenic.

So why is certain alcohol and asthma always linked?

Well, it seems that it may not always be alcohol directly which aggravates symptoms – two common ingredients of alcoholic drinks are sulfites and histamines.

Histamine is the compound released in your body when you experience an inflammatory response, ie when you have an allergic reaction to something. Histamine is present in all alcohol types, as it’s produced by yeast and bacteria during the fermentation process – so if it’s the histamines present in alcohol in particular that are inflaming your symptoms, then you’ll probably experience this with all alcoholic drinks.

Sulfites, however, are predominantly found in wine. Sulfites will occur naturally during the wine-making process but more is also often added manually to stop fermentation at the desired time, and to act as a preservative to protect it from oxidation and bacteria – so even organic wines will include sulfites but usually at lower levels. Generally, white wines contain higher levels of sulfites than red and sweeter wines have higher levels than dry ones. Beer rarely contains sulfites but they may occasionally be present in cider.

Alcohol increases stress levels

Whilst there may be varying components to an exacerbation of asthma symptoms from an alcoholic drink, it’s worth noting that the alcohol itself may well also be causing symptom aggravation via its various side effects – such as heightening feelings of stress, sadness, and depression – which are symptom triggers in themselves. Asthma can often affect someone’s sleep pattern, as does alcohol (which we looked at in this article last year), so combining the two will further intensify the effects and result in even higher levels of stress and worsened asthma symptoms.

Hydration is also a factor as dehydration may make your symptoms worse, so if you are drinking alcohol then it’s important to stay hydrated – drink water alongside your drinks or in between and make sure you’ve quenched your thirst before drinking (we often drink more alcohol when we’re thirsty) – not to mention that drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins.

So what should I drink as an asthma sufferer?

Well, firstly it would make sense to try to identify which of these factors are the main culprit for you, or whether it’s a combination of all of them.

Have you already noticed that your symptoms are worse after you drink wine? Well, then it’s possible that it’s the sulfites which are predominantly affecting you. You could try switching to organic wines with lower levels or switching to spritzers to dilute the effects – or try alcohol-free wines which also contain lower levels of sulfites. Sulfites will of course still be present in wines which have gone through the de-alcoholisation process, as they will have already been through the fermentation process, but the levels are usually lower. You can check out five of our favourite alcohol-free wines.

If you still struggle with your symptoms with these options, then try switching to drinks which are similar to wine but which have not been through the fermentation process, so no appearance from sulfites, such as an elderflower cordial with sparkling water or a brand like Bees Knees bubbly (still contains grape) or Botonique (no grape).

Cutting down on alcohol

If you feel that you’re affected by various types of alcoholic drinks then it could be the histamines or a combination of histamines and alcohol that are causing it. If you drink quite high levels of alcohol then the first step is to reduce your consumption. Histamines are impossible to avoid when drinking alcohol, so reducing your intake is the only way to truly avoid these effects. This will, in turn, reduce the asthma-aggravating effects of alcohol as you’ll usually find that your sleep and stress levels will improve. Alcohol-free beer will still contain certain levels of histamine but there are plenty of high quality, delicious craft drinks which are created for an adult palate, which you can switch into your routine in place of some of your alcoholic drinks.

We’ve tried to gather as much digestible information for you here, to help you to make an informed decision around the effects of drinking in relation to your asthma, but everyone is different – so do please consult with your GP if you’re concerned or unsure about your next steps. They may prescribe you with anti-histamines to help reduce the effects, or they could also recommend that you reduce your alcohol intake too. You’ll probably find that a combination of the two will work wonders!

Can I mix albuterol and alcohol?

With the holidays around the corner, even if you’re staying home, there’s bound to be lots of delicious treats—charcuterie boards and Christmas cookies galore to eat, and yummy sips like hot chocolate bombs and eggnog to drink!

But if you are one of the millions of adults in the U.S. with asthma, you might wonder, do alcohol and asthma go together? Can you take your asthma medications and drink alcohol, too? Read on to find out.

Can you mix albuterol and alcohol?

People with asthma often have a rescue inhaler, such as Proventil HFA, ProAir HFA, or Ventolin HFA—or the generic, which is albuterol HFA. Regardless of which albuterol formulation you use, you’ll want to know if albuterol and alcohol go together.

The good news is that the prescribing information for albuterol HFA does not list an interaction with alcohol. The prescribing information for Xopenex HFA (levalbuterol), another popular rescue inhaler, also does not list an interaction with alcohol.

Other popular asthma inhalers include steroid inhalers and steroids in combination with long-acting beta-agonists. Examples of steroid inhalers include Flovent HFA, QVAR Redihaler, and Pulmicort Flexhaler. More good news for those looking for an occasional cocktail: These asthma inhalers also do not have interactions with alcohol.

Can you mix Singulair and alcohol?

Now that we’ve established that inhalers do not have interactions with alcohol, let’s turn to the popular asthma medication Singulair (montelukast). According to the prescribing information, there is no direct Singulair and alcohol interaction listed. However, liver problems have occurred in people who take Singulair. Most cases occurred in people with other risk factors, such as alcohol use. So, if you take Singulair or its generic (montelukast), you should only drink alcohol if your doctor approves it. Ask your healthcare provider if you can drink alcohol, and if so, how much is safe.

Can I drink if I have asthma?

So, if you have asthma, can you drink at all, regardless of what medication you take? Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of data out there. One study described how alcohol could cause many allergic responses, including asthma, cough, headache, and itching. This can affect many people with asthma who drink. In surveys of people with asthma, 30% to 35% of respondents reported worsening asthma after drinking wine, beer, or spirits—with wine most commonly reported as a trigger. This could also be due to components of the wine, like histamine and sulfites, which may cause reactions. Also, reactions to alcohol occur more in people with AERD (aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease) than in people who can tolerate aspirin.

A review of studies suggests mixed results are possible—some people find that alcohol worsens asthma, while others actually saw an improvement. Nevertheless, the study authors recommend that people with asthma should still “avoid alcoholic beverages because they may cause an exacerbation of asthma.”

Because everyone is different, it’s always best to check with your healthcare provider for medical advice about alcohol consumption and quantity. If your asthma is mild and well-controlled, you may be able to enjoy small amounts of alcohol/alcohol in moderation. Cheers to a healthy holiday season!

Asthma is Reduced by Drinking Alcohol in Moderation

People who abstain, rarely drink, or drink heavily are at much higher risk of developing asthma. That’s in comparison to those who drink in moderation. Those are the findings of a large study in Denmark. In short, it found that the risk of developing asthma is reduced by drinking alcohol in moderation.

The Study

Researchers surveyed almost 20,000 asthma-free healthy Danes once and then again eight years later. They first compared moderate drinkers to abstainers and infrequent drinkers. The abstainers and infrequent drinkers had a 46% greater risk of developing asthma.

They then compared moderate to heavy drinkers. The latter had a 26% greater risk compared to moderate drinkers. In calculating risks, the researchers controlled or adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, and level of education.

Thus, there was a U-shaped curve. Abstainers and infrequent drinkers had a high risk. Moderate drinkers had a low risk. And heavy drinkers had a high risk. A similar U-shaped curve has also been found for the relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of other diseases. They include cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, ED, kidney cancer, Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, and many other diseases. For more, visit Alcohol and Health.

The Disease

In asthma, airways narrow and produce too much mucus. Breathing can become difficult and cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. It’s a chronic or long-term illness.

Asthma can restrict activities and an asthma attack can cause death. It’s a chronic or long-term illness. There is no cure for the disease. Nor is it clear why some people develop it.

Resources: Risk of Asthma Reduced by Drinking Alcohol in Moderation

Sources

Lieberoth, S. Euro Respir Soc (ERS) 2011 Ann Congress: Ab 319. Presented Sept 25, 2011.

McCall, B. Moderate Alcohol Consumption Protective Against Asthma, Medscape Med News, Nov. 5, 2011.

Note

This website is informational only. Thus, it makes no suggestions about any matter. That includes the finding that the risk of asthma is reduced by drinking alcohol in moderation.

Related

Alcohol reduces the risk of asthma

If you drink a small amount of alcohol every week, you have a lower risk of developing asthma.

If you’re one of those people who drink a glass of wine now and then because you believe it’s good for your health, then you could be right. Research in recent years indicates that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol is good for the blood circulation and can lead to weightloss – and now it seems that your lungs also benefit.

Researchers at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen have studied 19,349 Danish twins aged between 12 and 41 years and have looked at the relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of asthma. The participants were given questionnaires at the start and end of the eight-year study; they were asked questions about alcohol consumption and health, among other subjects.

“There are good data from the Danish register of twins, and this is a simple but good study that shows a statistical correlation between asthma and alcohol,” says Sofie Lieberoth, who quite remarkably conducted the investigation as part of her bachelor thesis during her medical studies. “And it does seem that a moderate alcohol consumption is protective in relation to the development of asthma.”

The findings were announced in September at a conference of the European Respiratory Society, held in Amsterdam and attended by thousands of researchers from around the world.

Alcohol cuts asthma risk by a third

It’s great to get all this attention on my bachelor’s thesis!

Sofie Lieberoth

According to the Danish researchers, the questionnaires reveal that the greatest risk of developing asthma exists if you do not touch alcohol at all. The risk of developing asthma is:

6 percent – if you never or only rarely drink alcohol
4.5 percent – if you drink a lot of alcohol
4 percent – if you drink a moderate amount of alcohol, i.e. 1-6 standard measures a week

“It is very interesting if alcohol influences the development of asthma, but it is important to emphasise that further studies are needed before we can say anything about how e. g. lifestyle affects the risk,” says Lieberoth. “Studying all the factors that are connected with the development of asthma will mean that we will be able to understand the causes of the illness better.”

The researchers will not hazard any comments about why alcohol can have a protective effect, but speculation at the conference centred on alcohol’s possible anti-inflammatory character – that it destroys irritants in e.g. the body’s air passages.

Expert wants to see similar findings elsewhere

Sofie Lieberoth did her study together with Simon Francis Thomsen, Vibeke Backer, Kirsten Ohm Kyvik and Allan Linneberg, and they attracted international attention at the conference in Amsterdam.

Other Danish researchers also want to see further studies before drawing too many conclusions from the results.

“Epidemiological studies of alcohol are difficult to interpret because alcohol is connected with other lifestyle factors to a very large extent, and these factors can be the causes of asthma,” says Professor Hans Bisgaard, a consultant at the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center and one of Denmark’s leading authorities on asthma.

“Other studies have shown that alcohol seems to be related to a higher risk of asthmatic eczema,” he adds. “It is therefore vital that these new findings are repeated in other studies before their importance can be interpreted.”

The study is now being turned into a scientific article for publication in a journal.

Read the article in Danish at videnskab.dk

Translated by: Michael de Laine

External links

Asthma starts in mother’s womb

Pioneering study finds that children’s asthma starts developing already at the foetal stage.

The farmhouse protects against asthma and allergies

Children who grow up on farms are only half as likely to become asthmatic and allergic as city kids, a new study suggests.

Three beers a day keep the doctor away

Middle-aged and elderly people can now swap their daily glass of red wine with a cold beer without worrying about their health.

Fight asthma with fish

Children who start eating fish before the age of nine months are half as likely to develop asthma as ones who don’t.

Younger kids use most asthma medicine

A study of the use of asthma medicine shows that small children take the most while young adults take the least.

Risk of asthma added

Cleaning products and paints increase the risk of asthma and allergies in children.

A single glass of wine can harm your foetus

The risk of miscarriage increases significantly if just two units of alcohol are consumed per week during pregnancy.

90,000 Alcohol and asthma: what is the connection?

Which alcoholic beverages most often provoke asthma attacks? Sorted out Australian doctors.

Asthma triggers vary from person to person, but most commonly triggered by cigarette smoke, pets, house dust mites, cockroaches, mold, certain medications, stress and alcohol. One person may have many such “provocateurs” or only one.

Doctors recommend asthmatics to keep a diary and write down everything related to the manifestations of the disease: what symptoms you felt and what happened, what you ate, what you drank. So you can set the triggers that provoke an attack in you. It is not yet possible to cure asthma, you can only stop the symptoms, so it is important for patients to know their triggers and carefully avoid them.

Alcohol and allergens

Alcohol has always been considered an asthma trigger, but the relationship between them is still poorly understood. One of the largest studies was conducted in the late 1990s in Australia (the report was published in 2000 in the scientific journal The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).In essence, it was a survey designed to find out what effect alcohol has on the course of the disease. 350 people answered the questionnaire. It turned out that in 33% of those surveyed, alcohol provoked at least two asthma attacks, and in most cases, symptoms, from mild to moderate, appeared within an hour after drinking.

Researchers have identified the two most allergenic components of alcoholic beverages that can trigger an asthma attack: sulfur oxide and histamine.

Sulfur oxide, or sulphurous anhydride (the substance is often called sulphites, but from a scientific point of view it is wrong, because sulphites are salts of sulphurous acid), is used as a preservative (food additive E220) in the production of wine and beer.Asthmatics are especially sensitive to this substance .

Histamine is present in all alcoholic beverages: spirits, beer and wine, and it appears there during fermentation. Histamine is the main culprit in allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions .

Alcohol and stress

Stress is a well-known allergy trigger, and bronchial asthma is no exception. To relieve stress, people touch the bottle. But the paradox is that alcohol only increases stress! As a result, not one, but three triggers act at once: stress, multiplied by two, and alcohol.

Not all wines are created equal

According to the mentioned research, the most allergenic alcoholic beverage is still wine. The safest are the so-called organic wines (made from grapes grown without the use of mineral fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides): they do not contain preservatives, so the level of sulfur oxide in them is lower than in ordinary wine.

To determine which wine is the least allergenic for you, try no more than one variety per evening.If symptoms do appear, you will know that it is best to give it up. If not, then you can drink!

The amount you drink also matters. One glass may not cause symptoms, and three will contain so much sulfur oxide and histamine that an attack will not be long in coming.

Some people have an attack from any alcohol. Well, here you need to decide what is more important: health or desire to drink.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com

Alcohol and asthma: what is the connection?

Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become narrowed, which affects their breathing. Symptoms can range from mild to severe when someone needs emergency help to get their breathing back on track.

Triggers for an asthma attack can vary from person to person, but they include stress, dust and other allergens, and, according to some studies, alcohol. Since there is no cure for asthma, it is important that people know their triggers and take steps to prevent an asthma attack.

Alcohol consumption and asthma

Some people with asthma find that drinking alcohol can make it worse.There is little scientific evidence for a link between alcohol and asthma, with the exception of one study published in 2000 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The study involved participants from Australia who asked over 350 adults to complete a questionnaire about their alcohol-related allergy causes.

Conclusions included:

Alcohol caused asthma attacks in at least two cases in 33 percent of people.
The respondents consider wine to be particularly allergenic.
Most alcohol-related asthma symptoms begin within 1 hour of drinking alcohol.
Those who reported asthma symptoms mostly had mild to moderate symptoms.

Researchers have identified sulfites and histamines as two components of certain alcoholic beverages that can potentially trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Sulfites are preservatives commonly used by manufacturers to make wine and beer, but they can also be found in other consumables. People with asthma are often especially sensitive to the effects of sulfites.

Likewise, researchers have suggested that histamines can trigger allergic reactions. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body produces histamine.

Fermenting alcohol produces histamine, which is present in all types of alcohol, including liquor, beer, and wine.However, it is not clear that the presence of histamine in alcohol or any other external trigger can cause symptoms.

A study from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology appears to be the only study that suggests this potential link, and further research is lacking to confirm it.

Complications

Indirectly, alcohol consumption can contribute to asthma.Stress often contributes to the development of asthma symptoms. Some people may feel sad or stressed and turn to alcohol in the hope of improving their mood. However, excess alcohol can worsen feelings of stress and negatively affect a person’s health.

Asthma can also cause several complications. It can affect a person’s sleep, exercise performance, and work or school attendance. If alcohol makes these complications worse, it can also make asthma worse.

Are some drinks safer than others?

One theory is that ingredients in wine can trigger asthma, but there is not enough research to support this. If a person with asthma discovers that alcohol is causing their symptoms, they may want to know which types of drinks are most dangerous.

The survey respondents in the aforementioned study said that wine was the most allergenic alcoholic beverage.
If sulfites play a role, organic wines that have no added preservatives may allow people to avoid sulfites.
Sulfites in beer can also cause asthma symptoms.
If alcoholic beverages contain substances that cause a reaction, the amount that the person drinks may also worsen asthma symptoms.
If one glass of wine or beer has no effect, but the reaction occurs after three glasses, it is possible that allergens are only present in small amounts.
Anyone who discovers that alcohol is causing asthma symptoms can try to reduce or stop alcohol consumption altogether.

What is asthma?

A number of triggers can trigger an asthma attack, and different people may have different triggers. When a person is exposed to their particular trigger, the airways react by becoming denser, causing asthma symptoms. People can have multiple asthma triggers or just one.

Common triggers for asthma include:

Air irritants including air pollution, chemicals and smoke
common allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold and pet dander
exercise
medicines, including over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen
stress
extreme weather conditions such as very hot or cold days

Doctors often recommend keeping an asthma diary.In a journal, people track their symptoms and what they were doing, eating, or drinking when they had an asthma attack.

Symptoms

Asthma can cause acute symptoms, known as an asthma attack, or less obvious symptoms, such as a chronic cough at night. Examples of asthma symptoms include:

chest tightness
cough that occurs at specific times during the day
breathing problems
wheezing

Asthma is a chronic condition that usually begins in childhood and does not go away even with treatment. However, children often grow up with asthma and may not have any symptoms or need for medication like adults.

Treatment

Treating asthma involves preventing asthma from occurring and taking medications to reduce symptoms. People can also have their own asthma triggers, including alcohol.
A doctor may prescribe medications to help people control and treat asthma. These drugs are usually categorized into short-acting and long-acting options.
Short-acting medications are used for immediate relief of acute asthma attacks. These medicines work by opening the airways, making it easier for a person to breathe. Examples include short-acting beta-2 agonists such as albuterol.

Long-acting medications are aimed at reducing inflammation that can lead to an asthma attack.

Examples of these medications include:

cromolyn sodium
immunomodulators
inhaled corticosteroids
long-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists
methylxanthines
oral corticosteroids

Finding the right combination of medications for asthma can take trial and error.

Generally, if a person feels they need short-acting medications more than twice a week, there may be a better way for them to control their symptoms.

Some asthma symptoms require urgent attention. These include the following:

coughing dark brown or bloody mucus
shortness of breath unaffected by short-acting drugs
start of a new fever

A person should see their doctor if they are taking medications for asthma and they:

understands that they are accepted more than 2 days a week
notices mucus getting thicker or harder to clear

People with asthma should see a doctor anytime they experience unwanted symptoms or have difficulty managing their symptoms.

School of Health prevents bronchial asthma – City Clinical Hospital 7 Kazan

Every person who was diagnosed with bronchial asthma for the first time needs to undergo appropriate training without fail. For this purpose, in the City Clinical Hospital No. 7 of Kazan, within the framework of the “School of Health”, classes for patients with bronchial asthma have begun.

The prevalence of asthma is almost reaching epidemic proportions.This disease affects both adults and children.

It is the parents who should teach their child to keep the room clean, practice regular ventilation and frequent wet cleaning . This whole complex of measures is aimed at achieving one goal – to prevent the accumulation of dust and pathogenic bacteria in the living room.

Doctors constantly warn the following categories of people about the high likelihood of developing bronchial asthma:

– smokers.

– people with a genetic predisposition to asthma.

– people who have had atopic dermatitis.

– people suffering from any form of allergy (from food allergies to seasonal and drug allergies) or have a predisposition to it.

– people with pronounced symptoms of broncho-obstructive syndrome, which is a consequence of various diseases of the respiratory system (usually colds).

It is people from the high-risk group that should pay special attention to the observance of the measures of primary prevention of bronchial asthma:

Improvement of the (maximum possible) ecological situation (temporary or permanent change of place of residence).
Regular cleaning of premises. In addition, in living areas (especially in bedrooms), it is worth minimizing the number of carpets, books and stuffed toys.
Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Keeping pets clean. If possible, it is better not to have pets at all.
Use of hypoallergenic household items.
Correct and healthy nutrition. The diet should consist of quality foods with minimal use of food additives.
Minimal use of various aeroallergens – from deodorants and perfumery products to air fresheners.
Eliminate the factor of inappropriate working conditions. With an increase in bronchial asthma symptoms, it is advisable to change jobs altogether.
Timely treatment of respiratory infections.

In addition, primary prevention of asthma is simply incompatible with smoking – including passive smoking. An exceptionally healthy lifestyle should be chosen, if possible, strengthen the immune system by hardening and regular exercise.If allergic reactions occur, you should immediately establish their source and limit contact with it. It is advisable to practice preventive spa treatment in the highlands or in areas with a maritime climate.

The prevention of asthma in pregnant women should be taken very seriously. It is important for them to eat right, not smoke and treat various infectious diseases in a timely manner. Only by taking all the necessary measures can the risks of asthma in an unborn child be reduced.

If bronchial asthma has already been diagnosed, the importance of prevention is by no means diminished – on the contrary.Secondary prevention includes:

Complete cessation of smoking (including passive smoking) and strong alcoholic beverages.
Refusal to keep pets (even fish, since food can have a fairly high asthmatic activity).
Caution during active flowering of plants and insect bites.
Complete rejection of allergenic foods and food additives.

A person who is prone to asthma or who has already faced its manifestations will not be prevented by prophylactic vitamins, hardening and sleeping in the fresh air, as well as sessions of therapeutic massage and self-massage.But all this should be done on the recommendation of a doctor.

Bronchial asthma: treatment, symptoms, types, forms, stages

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract.

The development of the disease is usually characterized by a short sigh and a long exhalation with characteristic wheezing.

Accompanied by cough, sputum production.

Let’s consider in more detail the features of the disease, as well as how to treat bronchial asthma at home.

Causes of bronchial asthma

A number of reasons contribute to the development of AD:

External factors – smoking, allergens, stress, work in unfavorable environmental conditions.
Internal factors – weak immunity, endocrine diseases, deviation of the characteristics of a person’s breathing (rhythm, depth).

Allergens that can trigger an asthma attack:

Household allergens

The most dangerous factors are exogenous allergens, and the development of asthma is also promoted by animal hair, household chemicals, dust.Approximately 30% of people with a chronic illness suffer from drug allergies. Exposure to dust mites is also a factor in the development of asthma.

Working conditions

The development of asthma from unfavorable working conditions was recorded in 15% of people. The onset of the disease is caused by interaction with various substances – aldehydes, metals, isocyanates, wood dust, resins, etc. The disease mainly develops in representatives of the following specialties:

Hairdresser.
Welder.
Poultry worker.
Painter.
Baker.
Specialist in the chemical industry.
A worker in the wood processing industry.

Bronchial asthma: forms, stages, degree of disease

Before you understand how to treat bronchial asthma, you need to determine the form of the disease – there are five of them:

Allergic – develops when interacting with a certain allergen (pollen, house dust, animal hair, etc.)etc.).
Non-allergic – caused by hormonal changes, taking medications.
Mixed – both forms are combined.
Delayed onset – recorded mainly in women, requires intensive therapy.
Combined with being overweight, overweight people suffer from more severe attacks of coughing and choking. The course of treatment involves the passage of diet therapy.

Each of the forms can manifest itself in different ways, differ in the frequency of attacks and other features.The manifestation of bronchial asthma is classified into 4 stages:

Attacks appear 2-3 times a month at night and no more than 2 times a day.
Symptoms are felt every week, on average 4-5 times a month at night.
A person experiences discomfort from the manifestations of the disease on a daily basis.
Attacks practically do not stop, often disturbing at night.

Symptoms and treatment of bronchial asthma

Symptoms of the development of the disease differ depending on the severity, respectively, the treatment plan for bronchial asthma is drawn up individually.AD symptoms are mainly disturbed at night and early in the morning; they can also be felt during physical exertion. The main pathophysiological signs are airway hyperactivity and inflammation.

Typical symptoms and mechanism of their appearance:

Cough – contraction of the bronchial muscles, irritation of the receptors.
Congestion in the chest – brochospasm of the small airways.
Wheezing – development of obstruction.
Shortness of breath – occurs after physical exertion.

Treatment of bronchial asthma with Solnyshko devices at home

The process of treating bronchial asthma in adults and children involves an integrated approach, it is important to show the patient’s self-discipline. Medical therapy is mandatory, but not sufficient. Basic and symptomatic drugs will only help relieve spasms and restore bronchial patency.

To achieve a stable remission, it is necessary to undergo a course of physiotherapy.Physiotherapy devices of the “Sun” type, which have an enhanced therapeutic effect, can be a good help:

Exposure to decimeter electromagnetic waves, in combination with drugs, promotes effective relief of seizures.

The devices are suitable for the treatment of bronchial asthma in children.

Other advantages of home treatment with “Solnyshko” irradiators include:

Strengthening immunity, increasing resistance to viruses.
Removal of edema and inflammation.
Normalization of sputum excretion.
Increased resistance to allergens and other irritants.
Stimulating metabolism.
Improving the protective functions of the body.

Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, physical and chemical reactions accelerate, blood vessels expand, and biologically active components are produced. This stimulates the body to fight the disease more effectively.

Therapy should be started on the first day of the disease in case of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the occurrence of cough. Irradiation is performed at the location of the trachea and the interscapular zone. Session time is 20 minutes (10 minutes for the front of the chest, 10 minutes for the back). The procedure should be carried out once a day for 6 days.

About the manufacturer “Solnyshko”

The company “Solnyshko” has been developing medical equipment since 1991, has the necessary registration certificates and certificates. PFU irradiators are in demand not only in Russia, but also abroad. The company’s products have repeatedly received high awards, in particular, “Quality Assurance” and “Product of the Year”.

Disease prevention

Compliance with all preventive measures after treatment will provide a long and stable remission, reduce the risk of complications. People suffering from bronchial asthma should adhere to the following recommendations:

Daily walks for 2-3 hours.
Cessation of smoking and alcoholic beverages.
Physical activity (swimming, physiotherapy exercises, aerobics).
Hardening.
Application of hypoallergenic household chemicals, cosmetics, food, etc.
Minimization of contact with irritants.

Other measures for the prevention of bronchial asthma include regular wet cleaning, rejection of carpets and plants in the apartment, weekly washing of bed linen.The spa treatment also has beneficial effects.

Bronchial asthma

WHAT IS BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

According to the definition of WHO experts, bronchial asthma is “a chronic disease, the basis of which is the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract with the participation of a variety of cellular elements, including mast cells, eosinophils and T-lymphocytes. This is due to the fact that the airways overreact to various stimuli.In response to irritation, they constrict and produce a large amount of mucus, which disrupts the normal flow of air when breathing. Bronchial asthma occurs in people of all ages, but most often it begins in children – half of them then “outgrow” their illness. Now more than 300 million people in the world suffer from this disease, and their number is constantly growing. Due to the high prevalence of bronchial asthma, its ability to reduce the ability to work and cause disability, there are many worldwide and national programs to combat this disease.For example, in the UK, about a billion pounds a year are allocated for such a program.

At the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Asthma Day is held annually on May 1. Chronic inflammation, which is observed in patients with bronchial asthma, makes the airways sensitive to allergens, chemical irritants, tobacco smoke, etc. When exposed to them, edema and spasm of the bronchi occur, at this moment bronchial mucus is produced in large quantities.This makes it difficult for air to pass through the airway normally during breathing. Factors in the development of the disease.

Heredity. Much attention is paid to the genetic factor. Cases of concordance have been described, that is, when both of the identical twins suffered from bronchial asthma. Often in clinical practice, there are cases of asthma in children whose mothers have asthma; or cases in several generations of the same family.

There is a term atopic bronchial asthma – allergic (exogenous) bronchial asthma, which is hereditary.In this case, in the presence of asthma in one of the parents, the probability of asthma in the child is 20-30%, and if both parents are sick, this probability reaches 75% ^[14].

Professional factors. The effect of biological and mineral dust, noxious gases and vapors on the occurrence of respiratory diseases was investigated in 9,144 people at 26 centers in the ECRHS study. Women mostly came into contact with biological dust, and men 3-4 times more often than women – with mineral dust, harmful gases and vapors.Chronic cough with sputum production more often occurred in persons who were in contact with harmful factors; it was in this population that cases of first-emerging bronchial asthma were recorded. Over time, nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity in persons with occupational asthma does not disappear, even with a decrease in contact with a harmful occupational factor. It was found that the severity of occupational asthma is mainly determined by the duration of the disease and the severity of symptoms, does not depend on age, sex, harmful occupational factor, atopy, and smoking.

Environmental factors. The 9-year epidemiological study ECRHS-II, which included 6588 healthy individuals exposed during the specified period to a number of adverse factors (exhaust gases, smoke, high humidity, harmful fumes, etc. ), showed that 3% of those observed at the end of the study developed complaints corresponding to the defeat of the respiratory system. After statistical analysis of demographic, epidemiological and clinical data, it was concluded that from 3 to 6% of new cases of the disease are provoked by exposure to pollutants

Power supply.

Studies on France, Mexico, Chile, Great Britain, Italy on the influence of the nature of nutrition on the course of the disease have shown that persons who consume plant products, juices rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, have a slight tendency to a more favorable course of bronchial asthma, while while the consumption of animal products rich in fats, proteins and refined easily digestible carbohydrates is associated with a severe course of the disease and frequent exacerbations.

Detergents. A 10-year study by ECRHS in 10 EU countries found that floor detergents and cleaning sprays contain substances that provoke asthma in adults; with the use of these funds are associated about 18% of new cases of bronchial

Asthma.

Microorganisms. For a long time, there was an idea of the existence of asthma of an infectious-allergic nature (classification by Ado and Bulatov).

Overweight. According to various studies, in obese children, the risk of developing bronchial asthma increases by 52%

There are three types of asthma.

Atopic is caused by the body’s reaction to allergens, most often inhaled, that is, those that a person inhales. These are dust mites, pollen, mold spores, animal hair. Less commonly, food allergens can cause asthma.

When they enter the body, an allergic reaction is triggered, which is manifested by a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi and the production of thick mucus in them, which makes breathing difficult. If contact with the allergen does not occur, the person feels good.

Such asthma is often combined with other allergic manifestations, for example, rhinitis or dermatitis. This form is common in young children.

Infectious-allergic asthma develops against the background of chronic infection in the respiratory tract. It can be bronchitis, which has not been fully treated, sinusitis, tonsillitis. Constant inflammation, the presence of foreign bacteria and their waste products in the body leads to changes in the bronchi.They become more sensitive to all kinds of irritants, their local immunity is impaired. As a result, this leads to the occurrence of asthmatic attacks. This type of asthma is rarely seen in children, it mainly occurs in people 35-40 years of age and older.

Medicinal asthma – the result of the use of certain medications. It is associated with an individual response to a particular drug (or its component). These drugs primarily include aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so this type of asthma is often called aspirin.

The main manifestation of asthma is asthma attacks. However, there is also an atypical type of asthma called cough. Strong breathing difficulties are not observed with it, but there is a dry obsessive cough.

Life rules for asthmatics: how to protect a child from allergens

This asthma is often confused with bronchitis, but it should be treated in a completely different way. Therefore, you do not need to experiment on yourself – see your doctor and get tested.

To detect asthma, in addition to the usual “listening” to breathing with a stethoscope, a number of studies are required.This is a measurement of the expiratory flow rate and vital capacity of the lungs, chest x-ray.

Bronchial asthma is a disease that can be controlled. To do this, you need to have an inhaler with a bronchodilator on hand, which is used for attacks, and to carry out treatment in calm periods when there are no symptoms. This therapy is aimed at eliminating inflammation in the airways. For her, hormones are used glucocorticosteroids in the form of sprays.

It is also important to identify the root cause of seizures and, if possible, eliminate it: avoid contact with allergens, treat a respiratory tract infection, and adjust the treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Every patient suffering from bronchial asthma should have a device for self-monitoring – a peak flow meter. It is a small tube with a scale that indicates the expiratory flow rate in liters per minute. Peak flowmetry indicators change before the state of health deteriorates. Therefore, you can take timely measures, adjust treatment and prevent an attack.

How does it manifest?

The most characteristic signs of bronchial asthma are:

cough – can be frequent, painful and persistent.The cough may be worse at night, after physical exertion, after inhaling cold air;
expiratory (with predominant difficulty in exhaling) shortness of breath – breathing can be so limited that it causes fear of inability to exhale;
wheezing rales heard at a distance – caused by vibration of the air with the force passing through the narrowed airways;
choking.

In severe or acute bronchial asthma, a person breathes through the mouth during an attack, using the muscles of the shoulders, neck and trunk to facilitate breathing through the narrowed airways.Also, when the airway is narrowed, it is easier to breathe in than to breathe out. This happens because inhalation is a routine procedure for our body, and the chest muscles are trained for this movement.

Exhalation, on the other hand, normally occurs passively, i.e. without special efforts, so the muscles are not sufficiently developed to remove air through the narrowed airways. This leaves air in the lungs and becomes swollen.

By the way, young people who have been suffering from asthma for a long time develop the so-called “pigeon’s chest” because of this.In severe bronchial asthma, the previously “wheezing” chest may become “dumb”, without whistling sounds. This is due to the fact that the amount of air inhaled and exhaled is so small that sounds cannot be heard.

Prevention of bronchial asthma (primary and secondary).

The goals of secondary prevention are to prevent asthma attacks in those who already have the disease and to prevent asthma from worsening and dying.

Primary prophylaxis of bronchial asthma should be carried out to persons (especially children) at high risk.

These include the following persons:

with a hereditary predisposition to allergic reactions and diseases, and above all to allergic respiratory diseases,
with signs of atopic dermatitis,
with signs of broncho-obstructive syndrome in ARVI.

Measures of primary prevention of bronchial asthma are:

elimination of occupational hazards in the mother during pregnancy;
smoking cessation during pregnancy;
rational nutrition of a pregnant, lactating woman with restriction of foods with high allergenic and histamine-libratory activity;
prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in the mother during pregnancy;
restriction of drug treatment during pregnancy;
breastfeeding;
reduction of exposure to air allergens of dwellings;
elimination of secondhand smoke;
use of methods of physical recovery, hardening;
reduction of contact with chemical agents in the home;
safe ecological situation.

Secondary prevention of exacerbations of bronchial asthma is based on:

fight against chronic lung infection, sinusitis, etc.,
Eliminate contact with known allergens. In the case of household asthma, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning of the premises where the patient is located as often as possible, remove all dust collectors (carpets, rugs, old furniture), exclude his contact with indoor plants, pets, etc., causing asthma attacks.It is also recommended to regularly ventilate your bedding outdoors in sunny hot or freezing weather. It is not recommended to keep aquariums in the apartments of patients with bronchial asthma, since dry food for fish (daphnia) has a pronounced allergenic activity. In patients with identified sensitivity to bird feather allergens, it is recommended to use synthetic winterizer or similar artificial materials as padding material in pillows. Due to the fact that fungal bronchial asthma is most often caused by sensitization to mold fungi, it is very important in the system of measures to prevent exacerbations of this clinical variant of asthma to eliminate excess moisture and foci of mold in living quarters. In patients with pollen bronchial asthma, a decrease in contact with pollen of causal plants can be achieved by limiting walking, air conditioning living quarters, and in cases of severe pollen bronchial asthma, by temporarily moving to climatic zones where the flowering period of causal plants has ended or is still did not start. Foods that are a proven cause of exacerbation of the disease should be excluded from the diet of patients with bronchial asthma.Medicines, the use of which caused asthma attacks or other allergic manifestations, should be completely excluded from the use.
carrying out general hardening of the body (sleeping in the open air all year round). It is necessary to use a set of measures to reduce the incidence of ARVI.
self-massage.
breathing exercises (shallow breathing according to Butsyko, paradoxical gymnastics Strelnikova)
acupuncture.
Elimination of strong alcoholic beverages from the diet,

90,068 complete smoking cessation.

In a number of cases, tertiary prophylaxis of bronchial asthma is also distinguished, the purpose of which is to exclude death in case of a complicated course of asthma. The expression is widely known that any disease is easier to prevent than to cure, and not only easier, but also cheaper. Therefore, the principles of primary prevention of bronchial asthma should be owned by any person, regardless of gender, age and social status.For example, starting from an early age, parents should teach their children to clean the room, to damp cleaning, to ventilate, which does not allow dust to collect in the living room.

If it was not possible to prevent the disease, and the first signs of suffocation began to appear, then it is time to start secondary prevention of bronchial asthma. In order to exclude the occurrence of complications in the future, first of all, it is necessary to strictly follow the treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Timely diagnosis and therapy of bronchial asthma is the main and dominant principle of secondary prevention. Only thanks to him it is possible to avoid the progression of the disease and exclude severe attacks of suffocation.

As you can see, the principles of secondary prevention of asthma are very closely intertwined with primary prevention, and this is not accidental. The combination of all measures aimed at preventing or eliminating the disease always show a better effect than their use alone.

Patients with bronchial asthma are recommended to have a spa treatment. The most favorable period for this is the time of flowering, when the air contains a large amount of pollen.To leave for this time in another area, where the flowering period has already passed or has not yet begun, is very useful.

If asthma attacks began to bother you more often and it becomes more difficult to breathe, then in this case you need to seek medical help and, if necessary, be hospitalized in a specialized hospital. Only after stopping the exacerbation can you go to the resort to consolidate the results of treatment. This will significantly improve health and forget about bronchial asthma for the near future, and maybe for a longer time.

Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation V.A. Hatchet

90,000 May 2013 – Prevention of bronchial asthma – Press releases – Budgetary institution of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra

May 2013 – Prevention of bronchial asthma

Prevention of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system, which is characterized by arising attacks of suffocation, due to muscle spasm of small bronchi, as well as edema of the bronchial mucosa and obstruction of their viscous discharge.Asthma can be associated with both hereditary predisposition and environmental factors. An asthma attack can be caused by:

– allergens: animal hair, dust, food, mites, pollen, spores;

– viral and bacterial infections: bronchitis, colds, flu, sinusitis;

– irritants in the environment: exhaust gases, sprays, perfumes, tobacco smoke;

– medicines;

– stress: excitement, fear;

– intense physical activity, especially in cold rooms.

Symptoms of asthma can range from mild difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing to shortness of breath, chest tightness and asthma attacks.

Prevention of asthma is understood to mean both the prevention of the onset of the disease (primary prevention) and the prevention of exacerbations in those who already have asthma (secondary prevention). Primary prevention of bronchial asthma should be carried out for people (especially children) at high risk. These include people: with a hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases, with signs of atopic dermatitis, broncho-obstructive syndrome in ARVI.

Measures of primary prevention of bronchial asthma are: elimination of occupational hazards in the mother during pregnancy, smoking cessation during pregnancy, incl. and passive, rational nutrition of a pregnant, lactating woman with restriction of foods with high allergenic activity, prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in the mother during pregnancy and in the child, limitation of drug treatment for pregnant women, breastfeeding, reduction of contact with chemical agents in everyday life, safe ecological situation.

Secondary prevention of exacerbations of bronchial asthma is based on: combating chronic pulmonary infection, sinusitis and other diseases, eliminating contact with an allergen, conducting general hardening of the body, breathing exercises, excluding strong alcoholic beverages from the diet, and completely quitting smoking. Prevention of bronchial asthma in the room where the patient lives should include: wet cleaning at least 2 times a week, lack of upholstered furniture, carpets, plants, washing bed linen at least 1 time a week at a temperature of 60 ° with laundry soap, using dustproof covers for mattresses, blankets and pillows, the use of bedding (pillows, blankets, etc.)) made of synthetic materials, exclusion of contact with pets, control of domestic insects and rodents.

Apart from the exacerbation of the disease, sanitary-resort treatment is recommended.

In the health center for adults in the city of Surgut, you can undergo spirometry, according to the results of which, you can judge the presence or absence of impaired respiratory function. The center’s therapist will assess your risk of developing bronchial asthma and give recommendations on individual prevention of this disease.

In 2012, 14,587 people underwent spirometry at the health center, 10% had respiratory dysfunctions and they were sent for further examination to specialized specialists.

WE ARE GLAD TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH!

90,000 To drink or not to drink ?! That is the question – ESPAR

To drink or not to drink ?! That is the question

What is beer made of

Beer is a natural alcoholic beverage that contains a large number of compounds formed during fermentation and coming into it from plant materials.The main components of beer are water (91-93%), carbohydrates (1.5-4.5%), ethyl alcohol (3-7%) and nitrogen-containing substances (0.2-0.65%). Other components are designated as minor.

Ethanol entering the body with beer does not have a dehydrating effect due to the high water content in this drink, in other words, when drinking beer, unlike vodka, you cannot pour into yourself a lethal dose of alcohol.

However, it should be noted that recently a new type of beer with a high alcohol content – up to 12% (strong beer) has appeared on the alcoholic beverages market.Drinking such beer in the same amount as usual, of course, entails a chain of negative consequences due to the combined toxic effect of alcohol and other biologically active compounds.

For us, beer is a symbol of summer and relaxation; a foam mug flaunts on the signs of establishments; beer exhibitions and corresponding contests differ from similar ones in the largest number of visitors. Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks – archaeological excavations date 3000 BC.NS. Beer was well known in ancient Egypt, where it was made from bread. At first, beer was brewed in home workshops and monasteries, and at the end of the Middle Ages it became an object of trade and is now produced by large industrial enterprises in almost any country, especially in Great Britain, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Beer is not just a drink, it is its own special culture: a misted mug, a saucer of snacks, a plate of boiled crayfish or Würztwur sausages. The beer itself has a fairly full flavor, but due to various additions it changes.In addition, the snack prevents rapid intoxication and helps to enjoy this drink for longer.

While English, Eastern European, and American beers may differ significantly in flavor, the brewing process is actually the same. Ground malt wort (usually barley), water, and cereal additives such as rice or corn are heated and rolled in a barrel of wort to flake off the residues and allow the malt enzymes to convert the starch into sugar.Then what has turned out is immersed in a copper vessel and boiled together with hops, which gives the beer a specific bitter taste. After the broth has cooled, it is sent to a fermentation vessel, where yeast is added, which converts sugar into alcohol. By the way, modern beer is less strong than the old one and contains from 3% to 6% alcohol.

Tastes differ

Most people recall that at first they did not like the taste of beer, they rather found it disgusting. However, drinking was perceived as a symbol of adulthood.If a newbie had the courage to declare that the symbol lacked a pleasant taste, he was told: “Never mind, soon you will like it.” But until a person forces himself to pour beer down his throat several times, he will not learn to evaluate its taste.

Many beer lovers refuse to drink non-alcoholic beer on the pretext that it tastes worse. A group from the University of Virginia decided to test this claim. As an alternative to non-alcoholic beer, a popular beer containing 5.7% alcohol was used.The test revealed that the participants were unable to determine which beer contained alcohol more likely than by chance. A number of other studies have confirmed that regular beer drinkers were not able to accurately determine by taste whether a beer is strong, medium or very low in alcohol content. Thus, no matter how hard the beer lovers try to hide it, they drink beer not for the sake of taste, but for the sake of alcohol.

Beer and alcoholism

“If we drank less vodka, there would be no problem with all this beer.But the consumption of both drinks is growing at an alarming rate. “A. Petukhov

In some praiseworthy materials about beer, you can read a link to a certain WHO study that in those countries where they drink a lot of beer, the level of alcoholism is lower. This claim is deliberately false for several reasons.

According to WHO, the word “alcoholism” does not have a precise scientific meaning and therefore alcoholism is not included in the latest edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). WHO does not conduct research on “alcoholism” because it is not known how to measure it.The number of registered alcoholics in any country covers a minority of those people who could be diagnosed, and reflects mainly the national characteristics of the organization of drug treatment.

At the same time, the WHO documents clearly state: “The rigid relationship between the average per capita alcohol consumption in the country and the number of people who consume alcohol in large quantities suggests that the main policy goal should be to reduce alcohol consumption in the general population, and prevention of particularly risky behavior.”

Beer alcoholism forms slower than vodka alcoholism … It is difficult to consider this a rule. Perhaps it forms more subtly and deceptively. In Germany, where beer is traditionally consumed, they suffer from beer alcoholism. Excessive beer consumption dramatically reduces labor productivity. There is even harm from the so-called “non-alcoholic” beer, since alcohol is still present in it, albeit in very small quantities. For example, it is not uncommon for people with alcohol dependence to have a regular binge with a glass of beer, non-alcoholic beer.It should be noted that for a person suffering from chronic alcoholism, switching from vodka to beer will not give much benefit either. The body will still require its “equivalent”, that is, it will force to cover the quality with quantity. One patient of the narcological clinic, having made such a “transition”, drank at least a bucket of beer a day. But in other cases, beer is used by alcoholics either to get out of binge drinking, or in the third stage of alcoholism, when the body’s tolerance to alcohol falls. But the treatment of beer alcoholism requires the same as vodka and wine.First of all, you need to stop drinking beer forever.

Moderate alcohol and health

Proponents of brewing, and alcohol in general, like to make arguments related to the alleged improvement in the health of consumers of moderate doses of alcohol. Most often it comes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease in moderately drinking people. However, many studies refute this opinion. So, in a study published in 1999 in the British Medical Journal, conducted by Scottish scientists for 21 years on a group of 5766 men, it was shown that moderate doses of alcohol (up to 14 units per week, that is, about 140 g of absolute alcohol, which corresponds to 14 glasses of beer or wine or 350 ml of vodka) did not show any changes in mortality from certain diseases in comparison with nondrinkers.For the same groups of men who consumed more than 35 units of alcohol per week (7 liters of beer with a concentration of 5% alcohol per week), the death rate from stroke was twice as high as for non-drinkers.

It was recently discovered that alcohol can cause fainting. Even social drinking can sometimes cause weakness and dizziness – not because of drunkenness, but because alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to constrict blood vessels.

It has been found that gravity decreases blood flow to the brain when standing up.This is one of the reasons some people feel dizzy if they get up too quickly. Usually, blood vessels constrict, regulating blood pressure.

Alcohol relaxes the walls of blood vessels, and they no longer regulate blood pressure when the body moves. In addition, alcohol can lower blood pressure, even with mild drunkenness.

“We were surprised by the effect,” says Virend Somers, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic and one of the authors of a study that examined the effects of moderate intoxication in fourteen healthy young adults, whose average age was 26 years.Blood pressure was measured before drinking, after drinking, and during the process. It turned out that systolic blood pressure fell by 14, and diastolic – by 8 mm Hg. Somers said that some people who have frequent vasodilatation may be vulnerable to even small amounts of alcohol.

Is beer good for the heart?

Proponents of beer argue that the carbon dioxide contained in it expands the capillary vessels of the mucous membrane of the digestive system and promotes a faster flow of fluid into the blood.And this, according to them, is a dignity. However, when beer is quickly absorbed into the body, it overflows the bloodstream, with a large amount drunk, varicose veins and expansion of the borders of the heart occur. Radiologists call this phenomenon “beer heart” syndrome or “nylon stocking” syndrome. If you abuse beer, the heart sags, becomes flabby, and its functions of a living motor are lost.

Almost all authors who analyzed the relationship between the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system with the consumption of beer agree that it increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease.Similarly, a study of the effect of different alcoholic beverages on vascular tone showed that beer consumption was associated with higher levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Certain chemical additives can also contribute to the deterioration of heart muscle function. For example, some beer manufacturers add cobalt compounds to beer to increase foaming. As a chemical analogue of calcium, cobalt takes its place in the heart muscle.However, cobalt cannot perform the functions inherent in calcium during excitation and contraction of the myocardium. This contributes to a decrease in the contractility of the heart muscle, an increase in the volume of the heart, the so-called heart failure.

Beer for intestines

Recently, there have been more reports of what bad habits can protect you from intestinal cancer, and according to them it turns out that you need to drink wine, and even smoke. However, this resembles the reasoning about Alzheimer’s disease (this is a variant of senile dementia) in smokers, which, allegedly, this pathology almost never occurs among smokers.Of course, the implication is that smoking somehow protects against Alzheimer’s disease. But, in fact, everything is simpler: most smokers simply do not live up to this, since they die earlier from other diseases caused by tobacco smoke, most often from cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

And this analogy is not given here by chance. Even beer supporters cannot remain silent about the fact that “German doctors have found carcinogenic substances in beer that pass into it from hops,” but they immediately stipulate that “subsequent studies by Japanese scientists indicate the ability of beer to remove carcinogens from the body.They are known to be present in smoked and fried foods, which, however, no one is going to give up. “

What substances in hops are carcinogenic? Brewing technologists write about the so-called bitter substances of hops, classified into general, soft and hard resins. If we again think about tobacco, then it is the tar in it that contributes to the development of cancer in smokers. Unfortunately, no matter what medicinal properties are attributed to hops, its resins inevitably do their pernicious work.

The WHO materials indicate that the consumption of beer significantly increases the risk of developing colon cancer.

Beer and childbearing

Another quote from beer lovers: “Almost all authors of old books about beer recommend drinking beer even to nursing mothers and nursing babies, seriously claiming that after mother’s milk, beer is the most suitable food for children. Even the” teacher of nations “Jan Amos Komensky is not excluded beer from the diet of children. ”

Alas, some delusions are realized only after centuries.Although it is possible to cite quotes concerning more modern iconic figures: “Austrian brewers have no strength, how proud they are that a boy from Graz drank their beer as a child. The boy grew up frail, sickly and all that. And they recommended him, besides milk, drink beer. Now the boy has grown up. Who is this? Arnold Schwarzenegger. ” Of course, it looks like a beautiful fairy tale, very useful as an advertisement.

Serious modern doctors completely deny the advisability of recommending beer to children and pregnant women.

Beer fans write: “Our ancestors knew that beer increases male potency.” In fact, alcohol is harmful to the testes and ovaries. At the same time, both frequent intoxication and the systematic intake of significant amounts of alcohol are equally harmful. Under the influence of alcohol abuse, fatty degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and the proliferation of connective tissue in the testicular parenchyma are observed. Beer has a special severity of the toxic effect on the glandular tissue of the testicle, which much easier than other alcoholic beverages penetrates the blood-testicular barrier – an obstacle between the blood and testicular tissues, causing fatty degeneration of the glandular epithelium of the seminiferous tubules.

Along with the direct toxic effect of alcohol on the testicles, the dysfunction of the liver and the ability to destroy estrogen that develops in those suffering from alcohol dependence is of a certain importance. It is known that with cirrhosis of the liver, the amount of estrogen increases significantly in both men and women, which leads to inhibition of the gonadotropic function of the pituitary gland and subsequent atrophy of the gonads. In addition, it is worth remembering about phytoestrogens. As a result, female sex hormones begin to accumulate, the mammary glands grow, from which colostrum begins to be secreted.It happens when a man, a big beer lover, develops a malignant tumor of the breast.

It should be pointed out that with alcohol abuse sooner or later, depending on the individual characteristics and endurance of the body, sexual potency is also impaired, which is associated with a decrease in conditioned and unconditioned reflexes, due to the inhibitory effect on the subcortical centers.

In women, menstrual irregularities are observed, in proportion to the beer consumed, the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases.It is dangerous to drink beer for a mother who is breastfeeding her baby. The baby may have epileptic seizures, and over time, epilepsy may develop.

Due to the toxic effect on the adrenal glands, alcohol inhibits the production of androgens in them. The payback for abuse is a decrease in libido (sexual desire), and in advanced cases, the development of secondary frigidity (sexual indifference) is possible. When taking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, teratogenic properties are found (that is, the tendency to cause deformities in the fetus), it is possible for the unborn child to form a genetically determined (programmed) hereditary propensity for alcoholism.

According to the International Herald Tribune, a study by the American Centers for Disease Control found that a 20-cent increase in beer taxes led to a nearly 9% decrease in adolescent sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea. Study author Harrell Chesson explains this phenomenon by the fact that drinking affects judgment, and teens under the influence of beer tend to have sexual intercourse, including with multiple partners, without using condoms.

Is it true that beer is healthy because it contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and organic substances?

Mineral compounds enter beer from malt, other raw materials and with water. In biologically significant quantities, beer contains ions of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine. Beer differs from wine in its high potassium content. It should be noted that with the massive consumption of beer, an excess intake of potassium and water dramatically increases the formation of urine and increases the excretion of sodium and chlorine by the kidneys, resulting in the demineralization of the body.By the content of calcium (about 80 mg / l), magnesium (about 80 mg / l), phosphorus (about 140 mg / l), as well as iron, copper, zinc and others, the content of which does not exceed 1 mg / l, beer does not has special advantages.

Vitamins come into beer mainly from malt rich in B vitamins. However, during the brewing process, the concentration of vitamins inevitably decreases, and as a result, the content of vitamin B1, or thiamine, is 0.005-0.15 mg / l, and vitamin B2, or riboflavin – 0.3-1.3 mg / l.Thus, drinking beer with a maximum concentration of vitamin B1 in the amount of 10 liters per day can provide 100% of the daily requirement for this vitamin.

There are other vitamins in beer. The high content of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid (20-50 mg / l) is often due to the fact that it is added to beer during production to prevent spontaneous oxidation of other components. High concentrations of nicotinic (5-20 mg / l) and folic acid (about 110 μg / l) are also observed in beer.The beer contains small amounts of vitamin B6, pantothenic acid and biotin.

Phenolic compounds. The content of polyphenols in beer is about 10 times lower than in natural grape wine and ranges from 150-300 mg / l. The consumption of beer and spirits is associated with an increased risk of developing malignant tumors in the lower urinary tract, which is associated with a low content of polyphenols.

Bitter substances enter beer from hops and give the drink a specific bitter taste.These substances are subdivided into low and high resinous. Depending on the technology of brewing and storing beer, they can undergo polymerization, oxidation and, accordingly, change their original properties.

Beer bitter substances, along with other hop extractives, are classified as psychoactive compounds. They have a sedative, hypnotic, and in large doses and hallucinogenic effects. In addition, they have bactericidal (destroy bacteria), bacteriostatic (stop the growth of bacteria) properties and have a stimulating effect on the secretion of gastric juice.The latter underlies individual intolerance to beer, which in people with increased sensitivity to the action of gastric secretion stimulants causes unpleasant sensations in the stomach and a reflux reaction.

Biogenic amines have been discovered in beer relatively recently. They immediately attracted attention due to their ability to exert pronounced biological effects. It has long been known that beer is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The rationale behind these recommendations became clear after cadaverine, putrescine, histamine and tyramine were found in beer.When beer is consumed in large quantities, biogenic amines provoke the development of hypertension (high blood pressure), cause headaches and can lead to kidney damage.

Phytoestrogens are plant analogues of female sex hormones and also get into the drink from hops. Their content in hops reaches significant values - from 20 to 300 mg per 1 kg of plant mass. There are less of them in beer (1 – 36 mg / l). Nevertheless, this amount is sufficient to provide a distinct hormonal effect on the human body.It is highly likely that changes in endocrine status (male feminization) in beer abusers are mainly related to the effects of phytoestrogens.

In this regard, the following story is curious, quoted in various treatises glorifying beer: “In the 16th century, the German pharmacist Johann Casimir Saugfuss recommended that women regularly smear their faces and breasts with beer foam – thus, the skin becomes extremely tender.” In this regard, the story of the Prussian queen Louise (1776-1810 g.g.), suffering from her flat chest. For one reason or another, her husband Friedrich Wilhelm loved to look at the fuller figures of the ladies of the court. The Queen turned to the doctors, whose advice sounded: “Drink beer with meals and after, leave horseback riding, thoroughly massage breasts with beer three times a day.” The course of treatment, according to the chronicle, gave the desired results. “

Unverified Beer Facts

* Beer relieves toothache.

* Recommended for digestive disorders, kidney and bladder diseases.

* Almost all authors of old books on beer recommend drinking beer even to nursing mothers and babies and seriously argue that after mother’s milk, beer is the most suitable food for children.

* Beer is able to make good blood and give hope to the body; it gives healthy skin or an attractive color to the body. Protects from kidney stones, cleans the kidneys and passages. Drives urine. Beer, according to the scientist, “encourages men to Venus”, “gives an abundance of natural seed, and adds milk to mothers who are breastfeeding.”

* Beer strengthens and warms up the stomach, relieves asthma malaise and suffocation, and also brings health and sound sleep.

* Beer is a cure for cholera. Berlin professor Koch, who proved that cholera bacilli in beer die within a few hours and it does not allow the disease to develop.

* All medicines in the 18th century and the first half of the 20th century were taken only with beer. It was believed that in this way medicines are better absorbed. In Petersburg hospitals, beer was given to recovering patients as an excellent hygienic drink.

* Beer quenches thirst well, which is explained by the content of minerals and carbon dioxide, which expands the capillary vessels of the mucous membrane of the digestive system, contributes to a more rapid flow of fluid into the blood.

* Beer contains a certain amount of proteins and amino acids. The beer contains minerals, which the chemist J. Liebig attached great importance to. The content of minerals in beer is from 1 to 2 grams per liter, as in some mineral waters.Beer contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), PP (niacin).

* Beer could completely eliminate vodka – the worst enemy of the people, you just need to brew more and promote beer! “Beer will drive out the hypocrite and moonshine.”

* At the Institute of Sports Medicine in Rome, athletes of different categories were given beer as the only drink (except water) for a month. And it was found that drinking one liter of beer a day does not affect body weight, heart rate, pressure and muscle performance.At the same time, it increased the clarity of breathing, the rate of regeneration after eating, shortened the reaction time, and improved coordination of movements and the speed of reflexes. After abdominal gastrointestinal operations, Czech doctors recommend 1/2 liter of beer to the patient. Moderate drinking of beer has a positive effect on people’s behavior and emotions, and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.