The direct health care cost of asthma in the United States is $11.5 billion annually. Lost productivity and other indirect costs add another $4.6 billion. $5 billion are spent every year on prescription drugs used to treat asthma and $1.7 billion is attributable to lost productivity due to death.

Asthma epidemics related to atmospheric contamination–caused by the abundance of dust and chemical particles, especially in enclosed environments–are very well known and well documented. Major risk factors in occupational exposure to toxic substances, such as polyurethane and urethane, which are used in the adhesives and plastics industry; rubber epoxy resins from paint; dry cleaning chemicals; textile cleaners fumes; and many others may also play a major role.

The meteoric rise in the global incidence of asthma has baffled researchers. Possible causes, which are currently being researched include food additives, genetics, pollution, toxins, global warming, and allergens. Asthma researchers and asthma specialists speculate that the epidemic rise in the number of new asthma cases every year for the past 30 years is due specifically to rising levels of environmental pollution.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You can start with Asthma Relievers – Fruits and Vegetables and Catch Your Breath Now.

The Asthma Epidemic – No End in Sight was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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Sulfites Found in Wine Can Be Dangerous for Asthmatics.

Unfortunately, many restaurants use sulfiting agents–including sodium bisulfite, potassium meta bisulfate, and sulfur dioxide–to prevent discoloration and bacterial growth in green salads, cut and sliced fruit, frozen shellfish, and many other foods.

The types and severity of reactions to sulfites in sensitive individuals vary, and may include breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock, severe headaches, abdominal pain, stuffy and or runny nose, flushing of the face and a “hot flash” feeling, diarrhea, irritability, and/or feelings of anger. These symptoms seem to occur quickly, usually within 20 to 30 minutes after consuming sulfites.

Obviously, sulfites pose a greater danger to some people than to others. In particular, asthma sufferers, people with a history of allergies, or a deficiency of the liver enzyme sulfite oxidase can suffer great harm. In the United States alone, sulfites have been implicated in at least 13 deaths.

You will always find it easy to determine if a food product contains sulfites. Sulfiting agents may appear in food ingredient lists in many varieties. For example, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium meta-bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, potassium meta-bisulfite and sulfur dioxide.

You can safely assume that any ingredient included on a food product’s ingredient list ending in -sulfite to be a sulfiting agent. If you believe you have suffered a reaction after ingesting a food which you believe contained sulfites, you should be cautious of ingesting any of the foods and beverages listed in the table below.

Fresh Fruits and Beverages

• Avocado dip (guacamole)
• Coleslaw
• Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes
• Prepared cut fruit or vegetable salads

Fish and shellfish

• Canned seafood soups
• Clams
• Crabs
• Dried fish
• Fresh shellfish, especially shrimp
• Frozen, canned, or dried shellfish
• Lobster
• Oysters
• Scallops
• Shrimp

Prepared or Processed Foods

• Beet sugars
• Breading mixes
• Breakfast cereals
• Brown sugar
• Canned fruit pie fillings
• Canned mushrooms
• Caramels
• Corn, maple, and pancake syrups
• Cornstarch
• Dietetic processed foods
• Dried or canned soups
• Dry salad dressing mixes
• Frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
• Frozen French fries
• Glazed fruits
• Hard candles
• Horseradish
• Jams and jellies
• Maraschino cherries
• Noodle and rice mixes
• Olives
• Onion relish
• Pickles
• Potato chips
• Sauces and gravies
• Sauerkraut
• Shredded coconut
• Trail mixes
• Wine vinegar

Miscellaneous

• Apple cider
• Baked goods
• Beer
• Bottled, canned, or frozen fruit juices
• Bottled, canned, or frozen vegetable juices
• Cocktail mixes
• Colas
• Cordials
• Cornmeal
• Frozen doughs
• Fruit drinks
• Gelatin
• Instant tea mixes
• Wines

If you suspect you have had a negative reaction to one of the above listed foods or to one that isn’t listed, be sure to make a note of the brand and type of food or beverage you’ve consumed. Check the label and see if the ingredient list includes a sulfite. If it does, and you can’t live without that particular fruit or beverage, try to find a replacement that’s missing the sulfite.

If you can’t find a suitable replacement, we would suggest you stop eating that particular brand or type of food or beverage. You’ll feel better.

Asthma and Sulfites – Beware was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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