Health - Trouble breathing while heavily drunk?

[vantranist]

When swim gets super drunk ( at least 2 standard bottles of merlot) he has much trouble breathing. It feels like hes having an asthma attack, he must take deep breaths and fight for oxygen when he gets super drunk.

SWIM just wanted to know whats going on here and if anyone else experiences this sort of reaction. SWIM has prety bad asmtha in his younger years and hates the feeling of gasping for air so this effect scares him sometimes.

any info on this would be much appriceaited. Does anyone else have breathing problems while severly smashed?

[sirmoonie]

That's very likely an alcohol induced heart arrythmia, probably atrial fibrillation. SWIY won't necessarily feel it in SWIY's heart, but will often be short of breath. Usually goes away if a person takes it easy for a few days. Google up "holiday heart syndrome."

Has the chance of becoming a permanent problem, or a more serious one like ventricular tachycardia, as SWIY's drinking career progresses.

It likely has nothing to do with SWIY's athsma.

[Jatelka]

Some wines have sulphites in them (which are used as a preservative, and also occur naturally during the fermentation process). Sulphite allergy is possible here.

The majority of people with sulphite allergy are asthmatic, but only about 5% of people with asthma are allegic to sulphites

It may be that the "2 bottles of Merlot point" is the one at which the sulphites become a trigger for the OP

Apparently, non-organic Merlot's are a traditional culprit, and Organic varieties contain far fewer sulphites

"No added sulphite" wines are available, but be aware that they are intended for immediate drinking, rather than cellaring for a period of time

[vantranist]

SWIM had to fight for air last night. No wine was drank, just some jagger and 80 proof rum. He was about to have his dad call an ambulence, when the drunkenness wears off, so does the hard time breathing. SWIMs lungs feel fine today.

[bcubed]

It is worth noting that, whatever the cause of SWIY's shortness of breath, passing out under the inluence of alcohol means that one can quite literally choke to death without being able to arouse one's self.

If SWIY has concerns about SWIY's ability to breathe while very drunk, consuming an amount of alcohol suficient to cause unconsciousness could KILL SWIY.

SWIY needs to determine the cause of his shortness of breath before getting drunk again!