BELLY FAT, ALCOHOL ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED ASTHMA RISK

DRINKING alcohol in moderate quantities can
reduce the risk of asthma, while belly fat,
known clinically as central obesity, has been
linked to the development of asthma,
according to new studies by Danish
researchers.
The studies, presented recently at the
European Respiratory Society’s Annual
Congress in Amsterdam, found that drinking
one to six units of alcohol a week could
reduce the risk of developing the condition
and central obesity as a risk factor for the
disease.
The research examined 19,349 twins
between the ages of 12 and 41 years of
age. All participants completed a
questionnaire at the start and end of the
study to compare alcohol intake with the
risk of developing asthma over eight years.
The results showed that the lowest risk of
asthma was seen in the group which had a
moderate intake of alcohol, as less than four
per cent of those who drank one to six
units per week developed asthma.
The highest risk of asthma was observed in
people who drank rarely or never, as they
were 1.4-times more likely to develop the
condition. Heavy drinkers also had an
increased risk of asthma development and
were 1.2-times more likely to develop
asthma.
The results also suggested that a preference
for beer drinking was associated with an
increased risk of asthma when compared
with no preference.
Previous studies have found a link between
excessive intake of alcohol and asthma
attacks; however, this is the first study of
its kind to show a link between alcohol
intake and the onset of asthma for adults
over a long period of time.
Sofie Lieberoth, from the Bispebjerg
Hospital in Denmark, said: “Whilst excessive
alcohol intake can cause health problems,
the findings of our study suggest that a
moderate intake of one to six units can
reduce the risk of developing asthma. By
examining all the factors linked with the
development of asthma, we can understand
more about what causes the condition and
how to prevent it.”
Meanwhile, excess abdominal fat has been
linked with a number of health effects, such
as diabetes and heart disease, but there has
been little focus on its link with lung
disease.
Previous studies have found a link between
asthma and body mass index (BMI), which
is a marker for overall obesity. This new
study looked at waist circumference, which
is a marker for central obesity, to see
whether this form of obesity could also
contribute to asthma risk. The research is
one of the first prospective studies to
investigate the individual and combined
effect of central and overall obesity on
incident asthma in adults.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease condition in which the
air passages in the lungs (called
bronchioles) become sensitive to simulation
by a variety of agents, leading to
contraction of the muscular wall, with
narrowing of the bone to a degree that
seriously obstructs the entry and exit of air
in the lungs.
In an attack of asthma¸ the breathing
becomes difficult, expiration often being
more affected than inspiration. The patient
is short of breath and breathing may
become audibly “wheezy”, with coughing.
The effort to draw breath increases, but
despite this, the movement of the chest is
diminished. The patient may become
agitated or confused. He feels he is going to
choke to death. It is a frightening condition.
There are numerous causes of asthmatic
attack. In some cases, a frank allergy exists
to a particular material, grass and tree
pollens, molds and fungi, animal hair and
even some types of food may all provoke
an asthmatic attack. In other cases, a
physical or chemical irritant such as a
smoky atmosphere, exhaust fumes or acid
fumes may bring on an attack.
Even, the inhalation of dust (particularly
when sweeping an enclosure), of smoke,
particularly from frying food or burning of
dried or wet grass, and others can cause
attack.
Infections of the lungs, particularly those
caused by viruses, may precipitate an attack
in those who are susceptible. It has also
been noted that asthmatic patients suffer
more under cold conditions. It should be
noted that just like in most cases of ill-
health, the causes of asthma include much
waste matter and mucus in the system.
It is not unusual to find that asthmatic
patients have difficulties with their kidneys,
stomachs and intestines. Where all these, or
some of them, are not functioning properly,
elimination of waste matter from the body
is found defective. Eating of foods that are
difficult to digest can sometimes bring
about an attack, especially if eaten late in
the evening.
Asthmatic attacks can be prevented if the
causes are removed and the body’s
resistance is built up. The first of such
causes would be anything that is harmful to
the lungs and bronchial tubes; such as
smoking.
It is strongly advocated
that the best way to control asthmatic
attack is by going back to nature.
On wet days, and at night, the patient
should be kept very warm. The windows
should be left open to allow in sufficient air.
Fans and air-conditioners should not be
used in the sleeping room. The remedy being suggested for asthma
is a combination of natural extracts of
Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Tetrapleura
tetraptera and Zingiber officinale.