If you have asthma, there’s a possibility that alcohol may bring on or worsen your symptoms, though this doesn’t happen to everyone.

Alcohol consumption can have a direct effect on your asthma, but is it the alcohol that’s causing an asthma attack? If so, what does this mean for you? Learn more about the connection and if you should still drink alcoholic beverages.

Although doctors still don’t fully understand asthma, they do know its severity falls on a spectrum. Because of this, the way asthma affects you may not be the same way it affects someone else.

For some people, asthma is fairly easy to manage. The symptoms may be considered inconvenient. These could include coughing, wheezing, and general shortness of breath a few times during the week or month. Symptoms may get worse when exercising or during any type of physical exertion.

For some people, though, asthma attacks occur more frequently. They can also happen when you’re sleeping.

If this sounds familiar, your asthma may make it harder for you to participate in a significant amount of physical activity. You may be able to participate with the help of a medicated inhaler.

Regardless of how severe your asthma is, an attack will appear the same internally: Your airways will have a bronchospasm (a tightening around your airways), and the mucus in the inflamed airways will also thicken, which can make it difficult to breathe.

Although there’s a lot that researchers are still figuring out about the connection between alcohol and asthma, research does show that alcohol can make symptoms worse. It can also trigger an asthma attack.

Histamines and sulfites, two ingredients in various types of alcohol, tend to be the culprit.

Histamines

Histamines are produced from bacteria when alcohol ferments. They’re especially prevalent in red wine. Histamines are a known problem for people with allergies. This is especially true for those with asthma.

Sulfites

Sulfites can also cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them. Up to 10% of people with asthma are sensitive to these additives. This sensitivity can cause a range of symptoms.

Some people may experience wheezing, and others may have an asthma attack. Doctors recommend people with more severe asthma symptoms be more cautious when drinking.

Not everyone with asthma experiences the onset of an attack or worsening symptoms when drinking alcohol.

In one 2000 study, about 33% of participants said alcohol was associated with an asthmatic event at least two times.

Wine, which contains both sulfites and histamines, was the number one culprit when it came to inducing symptoms. White wine typically contains less histamines than a heartier red wine or a sparkling white. Wines that are 100% organic have no added sulfates or are free of sulfates.

The study also found that out of the study participants who had reactions, 40% of those reactions were caused by wine. Overall, red wine was said to be the most common inducer.

Wine brought on a relatively quick start to asthma complications. These complications usually start within less than an hour.

There are options available that are low in sulfites and histamines or are completely free of these components. Spirits tend to be better bets than beer, hard ciders, and wines.

It’s worth noting that many drink mixers may also contain sulfites because they have preservatives in them.

Mocktails are increasingly popular options in many bars and restaurants. A mocktail can be just as refreshing and festive as a cocktail, and it comes without potential side effects.

Sulfites are preservatives often found in mixers. When ordering a mocktail, be sure to look for one with fresh ingredients.

You can also search the kids’ menu, or modify the drinks you used to order on special childhood occasions. How about a grown-up version of a Shirley Temple? Pair fresh cherry and lime juice with sparkling soda to create one.

Do you want to make a mocktail at home? That’s easy, too. Combine sparkling water with some fresh-squeezed juice or muddled fruits and herbs.

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The only way to make sure alcohol isn’t making your breathing more difficult is to avoid it entirely. Although alcohol may not have caused problems for you in the past, there’s still a chance that it may do so in the future.

If you do drink alcohol, pay close attention to your breathing and take note of any changes.

Whenever you are drinking alcohol or doing any activity that makes your breathing more difficult, carry your inhaler with you and seek medical attention immediately if you’re not able to catch your breath.