A recent study of 6,000 Danish women, aged 20-29, found a link between alcohol consumption and perennial allergic rhinitis (allergies that occur throughout the year from indoor allergens, such as mold, dust mites, pet dander).
Women who consumed 1-2 drinks per day (on average) were 20% more likely to develop allergies than those who drank little or no alcohol.
Women who consumed 14 drinks per week (on average) were 78% more likely to develop allergies (compared to the little or no drinkers).
Just a side note about allergies: "perennial allergic rhinitis" is different from "seasonal allergic rhinitis"--what we think of as "seasonal allergies"--in that perennial occurs year-round and as is primarily caused from indoor allergens. Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs primarily from outdoor allergens, including pollen, molds, grasses, etc. A person can have have allergic reactions to both indoor and outdoor allergens.
The majority of women do not drink 2 drinks every night, or drink in large quantities ("binge") on the weekends, to equal 14 drinks per week. However, any consumption of alcohol above the "little or no" amount raises the risk of developing allergies (I assume "little" equals one drink, but not every night). As an allergy sufferer myself, I also wonder if any future studies will conclude that drinking 1-2 glasses every day will show an increase in allergy symptoms? Just something for us allergy-sufferers to be aware of, especially during the season that has the highest concentrations of allergens that most effect us (and, if we are not feeling relief from our usual means of medication or treatment, this is another option you can try). Unforunately, my worst season (mountain cedar, during Nov-Feb) is when I should watch my alcohol consumption, and that happens to be during the holidays...I'll keep this in mind next winter!
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Limit my alcohol consumption? The cure is worse than the disease!
April 21, 2009 - 6:09pmThis Comment
Ha ha! Not if you suffer severely from allergies like I do...believe me!
There are three months every year that I feel like I have been run over by the flu, and have to explain to people that I am not contagious (although I look horrendous from sneezing, coughing, etc).
All joking aside, limiting alcohol consumption should be easy for most people, as the majority do not drink 1-2 drinks every day. The majority of individuals drink 1-2 drinks on an occasional basis, a few days a week. That's all the research has shown, so the "cure" is not too bad, for allergy sufferers!
April 21, 2009 - 9:09pmThis Comment