There are many triggers that bring on an asthmatic reaction, including food, environmental and chemical allergies, as well as airborne irritants. Included in the catalog of food allergies is the reaction to alcohol. And an asthma attack could be the response.

In a research study conducted in Perth, Australia, investigators considered the role of alcohol in setting off an asthma attack. The researchers discovered, through a survey of more than 300 participants, that asthma attacks that were sparked by alcohol occurred rapidly and were normally reversible using basic treatment.

In the study wine seemed to be the most frequent trigger. Ninety-two percent of those surveyed who stated that alcohol set off their asthma reported that the reaction occurred after drinking wine. Those participants who reported this reaction were usually females, those who took steroids, or people who had experienced their first asthma attack at an early age.

As well, it looked like whiskey, brandy, and vodka had no effect on an asthmatic reaction. The investigators hypothesized that the elevated reaction to alcohol by asthma sufferers is linked to allergies to the sulfites in the wine.

In the American Journal of Emergency Medicine in October 2001 investigators wrote an analysis of clinical and experimental research, which indicated that pure ethanol alcohol could be a useful treatment for asthma. This seems to be contrary to the other studies regarding asthma and alcohol, however, on closer scrutiny the pure alcohol that resulted in a beneficial reaction contained no contaminants or allergens. They suggested that further studies be carried out prior to this therapy being utilized as a regular practice.

Researchers and physicians have wondered whether alcohol consumption by an expectant mother during pregnancy leads to asthma in her baby. In the Journal of Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research in 2004 scientists from Shanghai, China concluded that there was no link between alcohol intake during pregnancy and asthmatic responses in the children.

Interestingly, studies have discovered a connection between positive testing for alcohol and asthma. In an analysis reported in the Medicina Clinica, investigators discovered that asthmatic inhalers can set off a positive breath alcohol response within the first few minutes. However, after 10 minutes this anomaly isn’t detectable.

It’s essential that individuals who suffer from asthma are made aware of the possibility of alcohol setting off an asthma attack. Doctors frequently observe that patients might not be at ease discussing their views on the connection between their alcohol consumption and asthma. But when the physician brings it up, the patient generally acknowledges the link and is willing to discuss it.

Education about asthma is the first defense against a chronic ailment that impacts tens of thousands of individuals. By learning about the disease and how to prevent an asthma attack, and ensuring your medication is with you always, you should be able to take pleasure in the occasional alcoholic beverage.