Asthma

Asthma is a breathing disorder that results from spasm of the muscles surrounding the airways of the lungs (bronchospasm), a narrowing that is generally reversible. Narrowed airways cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and congestion. Atopic (allergic) asthma is the most common form and can be associated with other food allergies, since the same immune hypersensitivity underlies both. A wide range of asthma triggers has been identified, including environmental pollutants, drugs, cold air, and, relevant to food, sulphites in wines, dried fruits, and processed foods, which can provoke attacks in sensitive individuals. Accurate labelling of sulphites and allergens therefore matters directly to asthma management.