Asthma page 6

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are made from many different products, and they include preservatives and other chemical additives, all of which are possible causes of asthma. Salt, MSG (monosodium glutamate), artificial colourings (particularly tartrazine and other azo dyes), preservatives (especially the benzoates), sulphur dioxide (many asthmatics are sulphur-sensitive), traces of antibiotics found in meat, eggs and milk are all additional potential hazards for the asthma sufferer.

Beware of the following additives. And there are others which have not been so well researched but which, without doubt, affect the individual, E102, 107, E110, E122, E123, E124, E131, E142, 155, E210, E211, E212, E213, E214, E215, E216, E217, E218, E219, E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E249, E250, E310, E311. sodium benzoate, and E223, sodium metabisulphite, are used in orange squash.

Be wary of all drugs which, unlike foods, are not marked with a list of their ingredients. Artificial colourings which can trigger asthma, hyperactivity and many other allergies are still widely used in drugs - including anti-allergy drugs; this shows the ignorance surrounding ingested allergens and the hazards which allergic people face. (Until recent years, Piriton, a widely-used anti-histamine, was coloured with tartrazine!). Luckily, some people are on our side, and Boots the Chemist does a range of colour-free medicines for children. (Adults, perhaps, are expected not to suffer from the problem!)

Penicillin and penicillin-related drugs may cause asthma, but there are alternative antibiotics which can be prescribed. Make sure that you avoid those with artificial colourings. Aspirin and aspirin-containing drugs can cause a serious reaction so, if in any doubt, paracetamol should be used as an alternative.

As an asthmatic you need to take advantage of those modern medical drugs specifically designed for this purpose. There are now some excellent ones available which will help to keep your asthma under control. You also need to be your own physician. By that I mean you must plan your lifestyle and use of drugs to your best advantage. At all times you will need to keep your head, not be afraid to speak out if necessary, and maybe make rapid decisions in emergencies.

Regulate your life, avoiding stress whenever you can. Learn to breathe properly. Many people, especially asthmatics, breathe by heaving their chests up and down instead of pushing their diaphragms gently in and out in the correct manner. If you are conscious that you do not breathe properly, then you will greatly benefit by having lessons from a physiotherapist or by going to relaxation classes. Either way you will learn to relax and this is very important. Hypnotherapy has proved good for asthmatics also but do go to a medically trained hypnotherapist who has been personally recommended. Swimming is good for breathing control and the warm air around the pool is ideal for those asthmatically inclined. Should you find that you are affected by the chlorine or other disinfectant, you can take an antihistamine or other allergy drug beforehand. If this does not do the trick, make enquiries regarding another swimming pool in your district and check whether they use a different disinfectant. It is good to take what exercise you can but avoid physically pushing yourself too far - and only you are the best judge of this.

© Food & Chemical Allergy Association