Friendly Care Chemmart Pharmacy Manager Ashlee Anderson shows asthma and hay fever sufferer Anne Warren how to use her asthma reliever medication.
While many Tasmanians will rejoice in the first day of spring, for some it heralds the dreaded hay fever season, notorious for exacerbating asthma symptoms. The Asthma Foundation of Tasmania (AFT) is warning those with uncontrolled asthma to seek advice.
Many people assume asthma symptoms are simply part of life, but AFT says if people are puffing on their blue/grey reliever two or more days a week, then their asthma is out of control.
Speaking at the launch of National Asthma Week today, AFT CEO Cathy Beswick said one of the most alarming things about working with people with asthma was just how many had uncontrolled asthma and simply didn’t realise.
“If you use your asthma reliever medication two days or more each week, then your asthma is out of control, but the good news is you don’t have to put up with it – for most people, it can be brought under control quite easily,” Mrs Beswick said.
Mrs Beswick said despite the fact that preventive medications had been around for decades, there was still a lot of confusion over how asthma medication worked.
“If you are prescribed preventer medication – that’s the medication that helps stop flare-ups from happening – it takes up to six weeks to work, but when it doesn’t work immediately, many people stop using it before it has a chance to take effect,” she said.
“Many people also don’t realise that once it starts working you have to keep taking it because as soon as you stop taking it, it stops working.
“Unfortunately up to 75 per cent of those prescribed preventers are not taking them regularly, or at all, which means they are living with uncontrolled asthma and are risking permanently damaging their airways, potentially causing serious breathing problems for the rest of their lives.”
Asthma is responsible for thousands of emergency presentations every year in Tasmania and is the main reason why Tasmanian children present at emergency departments or are hospitalised.
Mrs Beswick said despite the fact that there were around 55,000 Tasmanians living with asthma, the Foundation only spoke to hundreds of asthmatics each year.
“We estimate more than 13,500 asthmatics in Tasmania are not in adequate control of their asthma, as evidenced by statewide pharmacy data,” she said.
“As part of National Asthma Week 2014, we are calling on Tasmanian asthmatics to pick up the phone and call our free 1800 number to find out how they can control their asthma and start feeling better.
“Of course, this number is not for emergencies or life threatening situations, and people experiencing an asthma attack should call 000 immediately.
“While there is no cure for asthma it can be controlled, and the impact it has on the lives of those who have it can be significantly reduced, which many people don’t seem to realise.
“There is no need to feel ‘breathy’ all the time and thanks to some great new medicines and techniques, simple activities shouldn’t be a big chore, no matter what your age.”
The Asthma Foundation provides free help and advice to Tasmanians living with asthma. To start feeling better, call the Foundation on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) or visit: www.asthmatas.org.au.
