Only 7% of those with asthma know all the symptoms of an asthma attack. That sounds hard to believe, but that’s what a recent Asthma Society survey* of over 1,100 asthmatics revealed.
“It is troubling to think that so few asthmatics know all the symptoms of an attack,” says Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland. “This places them at huge risk of a serious attack which can be fatal.”
“Therefore it is vital that all asthmatics and their carers learn the symptoms of an asthma attack and the five-step rule, so that they are fully prepared,” she says. “It really could be the difference between life and death.”
Uncontrolled asthma is dangerous, she reminds us, and the statistics are sobering. Apart from one person a week dying as the result of asthma in Ireland, every 26 minutes someone with asthma visits an emergency department in this country seeking medical help.
Numbers wise, asthma affects a lot of people in Ireland, with a total of 470,000 having the condition, including one in five children.
PREVENTER INHALER
Another of the results of the survey relates to those with asthma not realising the value of using their prescribed preventer inhaler daily. In all, 27% in the survey didn’t realise, for example, that if they don’t take their prescribed preventer inhaler on an ongoing basis that they are at risk of an asthma attack.
“If you’re having to use your reliever inhaler (usually blue) too often – daily – that means that you should be seeing a health professional about your condition,” the Asthma Society says.
The daily preventer inhaler is prescribed to protect against an asthma attack. The reliever inhaler is for use when symptoms occur (wheezing, chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath).
“It is extremely important that preventer medication is taken regularly, as prescribed,” the Asthma Society spokesperson says, “and even when asthma symptoms are not present.
WHY TAKE A PREVENTER INHALER
ALL THE TIME?
To understand that, you have to think about how asthma affects the lungs. Asthma is a condition that can begin at any age and affects the airways: the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. With this lung condition, the airways become over-sensitive. That means they react to things that wouldn’t usually cause a problem, such as cold air or dust.
When the airways react to a substance, the muscles of the tube walls tighten up, making them narrow and without enough room for air to flow in and out. The lining of the airways then gets swollen, and sticky mucus is produced, which clogs up the breathing passage. It is then harder to breathe.
A reliever inhaler (usually blue) can help alleviate this tightness, but the swelling and mucus happen more slowly and need a different treatment – a preventer inhaler, taken daily to allow the effect to build up over time, explains the Asthma Society. CL
*The survey was supported by GSK and Boots Ireland
Louise Gaffney, originally from Kilkenny, grew up on a farm, and has now moved to Tipperary, where she will be getting married this year. Louise developed asthma in her early teens.
“I got a bad chest infection when I was about 13, and the doctor suspected asthma at that stage,” she says. “I was put on an inhaler then, and I haven’t come off it since.”
“She was later prescribed a preventer inhaler because she was playing a lot of sports and needed to have her asthma well-controlled. “I took the preventer inhaler so that I wouldn’t have to be taking my reliever inhaler too much – and to prevent an asthma attack.
“I did have the odd attack where I couldn’t catch my breath, but it is recommended to take the preventer – and I did that and do that to manage my asthma properly.”
Louise says she always has a bit of a cough with asthma, and it’s just something that she has accepted. Asthma can feel challenging to live with at times, however. “Even to this day I do get fed up of it because it slows me down, I suppose – though I try not to let it,” she says.
She talks about how the weather affects her, for example. “On a day like today it’s warm, cloudy and humid, so my chest feels tight and I need to use my (reliever) inhaler because of the symptoms,” she says.
“Some people can enjoy a lovely day like today, but I’m thinking: ‘Am I feeling chesty or coughy? Oh, I need to take my inhaler.’ It’s always in the back of my mind, so that I don’t end up having an asthma attack or that I don’t get overtired from not taking it (the inhaler) and so on.”
CHANGEABLE WEATHER IMPACTS ON HER ASTHMA
The weather changing quickly, as has happened frequently this year, also has a negative effect on Louise’s lungs. “Today my asthma would acclimatise to it being warm and humid, but tomorrow it could be really cold and wet – so my asthma would be really bad then and I’d have to take my inhaler a few times tomorrow.”
During the snow her asthma was troublesome, she says, and tropical climates are not good for her either, she finds.
“I was in Queensland at one point and it was really humid, so I had to take my inhaler a lot. After experiencing that in Australia I would avoid tropical areas for holidays. Somewhere that’s hot and has dry heat would be good, although flying can trigger my asthma also.”
BETTER AT MANAGING ASTHMA
She has become better at controlling and managing her asthma over the years, she says. “You learn over the years what triggers it on different days. I listen to my body and take care of my own body and have figured out what does the trick and what doesn’t.”
Louise focusses on building lung strength also. “I would have sung in choirs and played musical instruments always too. These require good control of breathing. This would help me holding my breath while taking my inhaler and would be good for lung strength also. Even today I would still sing, and in school I play the tin whistle with the kids. These are all things that have helped manage my asthma.”
Louise is also careful about what she eats, as some foods can trigger her asthma. She is dairy intolerant, for instance, so has to opt for soy and coconut alternatives to keep her asthma under control.
TRIGGERS – POLLEN
Early summer can be a challenging time for Louise, also, as pollen has an adverse effect on her. “I have to avoid cutting grass, as the pollen would start me wheezing. I avoid hay as well, as it would set me off coughing. At silage time, I’d take my inhaler in the morning and have it with me. I’m always aware of what’s going on (in the environment) and what triggers my asthma.”
Luckily, animal dander isn’t a big trigger for her, although it can be for some asthmatics, she says. “Sometimes pets with long hair are a trigger, so I have a dog with short hair – a beagle.”
LOUISE’S ADVICE TO OTHERS WITH ASTHMA
But what’s her advice to other people with asthma?
• Listen to the advice of your doctor. If they prescribe a preventer for you, they are doing that for a reason. My preventer inhaler helps me on a daily basis not to have to use the reliever inhaler and avoid an asthma attack. • Listen to your own body. Figure out how your asthma works and what triggers it and when you need to take your inhaler. Are you most chesty in the mornings or evenings, for example, or after certain activities? Keeping track of that – when you need your inhaler the most – will help you be prepared for needing your inhaler or not needing your inhaler at different times. • Be prepared and organised. I would always have inhalers with me: one in the car, house and in my bag.• Remember, people around people with asthma suffer too. They should know there are things you can do if someone is having an asthma attack. See the Asthma Society’s five-step rule below. If whoever is with you sees that you are starting to lose consciousness they should call an ambulance. Over-react rather than under-react – that would be my advice.Learn how to save a life today
>> Asthma facts
More resources
The Asthma Society of Ireland has a free Advice line on 1800 44 54 64 where a specialist asthma nurse will give you tips on management of your condition.
Proper use of your inhaler is stressed – your pharmacist can advise you on this. Talk to your doctor about your condition if you feel you may not be managing your asthma as well as possible.
See www.asthma.ie – a new website which was launched in May. It now has a pollen tracker on the homepage.
For YouTube videos that will teach you more see THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS:
• For information on asthma attack symptoms, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8NRrrCDNFA&t=1s • If you’d like to find out more about managing an attack in a child under six, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGcaoDM5rds • For information on managing an attack in a child over six or adult, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGUkav0GMuM
Only 7% of those with asthma know all the symptoms of an asthma attack. That sounds hard to believe, but that’s what a recent Asthma Society survey* of over 1,100 asthmatics revealed.
“It is troubling to think that so few asthmatics know all the symptoms of an attack,” says Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland. “This places them at huge risk of a serious attack which can be fatal.”
“Therefore it is vital that all asthmatics and their carers learn the symptoms of an asthma attack and the five-step rule, so that they are fully prepared,” she says. “It really could be the difference between life and death.”
Uncontrolled asthma is dangerous, she reminds us, and the statistics are sobering. Apart from one person a week dying as the result of asthma in Ireland, every 26 minutes someone with asthma visits an emergency department in this country seeking medical help.
Numbers wise, asthma affects a lot of people in Ireland, with a total of 470,000 having the condition, including one in five children.
PREVENTER INHALER
Another of the results of the survey relates to those with asthma not realising the value of using their prescribed preventer inhaler daily. In all, 27% in the survey didn’t realise, for example, that if they don’t take their prescribed preventer inhaler on an ongoing basis that they are at risk of an asthma attack.
“If you’re having to use your reliever inhaler (usually blue) too often – daily – that means that you should be seeing a health professional about your condition,” the Asthma Society says.
The daily preventer inhaler is prescribed to protect against an asthma attack. The reliever inhaler is for use when symptoms occur (wheezing, chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath).
“It is extremely important that preventer medication is taken regularly, as prescribed,” the Asthma Society spokesperson says, “and even when asthma symptoms are not present.
WHY TAKE A PREVENTER INHALER
ALL THE TIME?
To understand that, you have to think about how asthma affects the lungs. Asthma is a condition that can begin at any age and affects the airways: the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. With this lung condition, the airways become over-sensitive. That means they react to things that wouldn’t usually cause a problem, such as cold air or dust.
When the airways react to a substance, the muscles of the tube walls tighten up, making them narrow and without enough room for air to flow in and out. The lining of the airways then gets swollen, and sticky mucus is produced, which clogs up the breathing passage. It is then harder to breathe.
A reliever inhaler (usually blue) can help alleviate this tightness, but the swelling and mucus happen more slowly and need a different treatment – a preventer inhaler, taken daily to allow the effect to build up over time, explains the Asthma Society. CL
*The survey was supported by GSK and Boots Ireland
Louise Gaffney, originally from Kilkenny, grew up on a farm, and has now moved to Tipperary, where she will be getting married this year. Louise developed asthma in her early teens.
“I got a bad chest infection when I was about 13, and the doctor suspected asthma at that stage,” she says. “I was put on an inhaler then, and I haven’t come off it since.”
“She was later prescribed a preventer inhaler because she was playing a lot of sports and needed to have her asthma well-controlled. “I took the preventer inhaler so that I wouldn’t have to be taking my reliever inhaler too much – and to prevent an asthma attack.
“I did have the odd attack where I couldn’t catch my breath, but it is recommended to take the preventer – and I did that and do that to manage my asthma properly.”
Louise says she always has a bit of a cough with asthma, and it’s just something that she has accepted. Asthma can feel challenging to live with at times, however. “Even to this day I do get fed up of it because it slows me down, I suppose – though I try not to let it,” she says.
She talks about how the weather affects her, for example. “On a day like today it’s warm, cloudy and humid, so my chest feels tight and I need to use my (reliever) inhaler because of the symptoms,” she says.
“Some people can enjoy a lovely day like today, but I’m thinking: ‘Am I feeling chesty or coughy? Oh, I need to take my inhaler.’ It’s always in the back of my mind, so that I don’t end up having an asthma attack or that I don’t get overtired from not taking it (the inhaler) and so on.”
CHANGEABLE WEATHER IMPACTS ON HER ASTHMA
The weather changing quickly, as has happened frequently this year, also has a negative effect on Louise’s lungs. “Today my asthma would acclimatise to it being warm and humid, but tomorrow it could be really cold and wet – so my asthma would be really bad then and I’d have to take my inhaler a few times tomorrow.”
During the snow her asthma was troublesome, she says, and tropical climates are not good for her either, she finds.
“I was in Queensland at one point and it was really humid, so I had to take my inhaler a lot. After experiencing that in Australia I would avoid tropical areas for holidays. Somewhere that’s hot and has dry heat would be good, although flying can trigger my asthma also.”
BETTER AT MANAGING ASTHMA
She has become better at controlling and managing her asthma over the years, she says. “You learn over the years what triggers it on different days. I listen to my body and take care of my own body and have figured out what does the trick and what doesn’t.”
Louise focusses on building lung strength also. “I would have sung in choirs and played musical instruments always too. These require good control of breathing. This would help me holding my breath while taking my inhaler and would be good for lung strength also. Even today I would still sing, and in school I play the tin whistle with the kids. These are all things that have helped manage my asthma.”
Louise is also careful about what she eats, as some foods can trigger her asthma. She is dairy intolerant, for instance, so has to opt for soy and coconut alternatives to keep her asthma under control.
TRIGGERS – POLLEN
Early summer can be a challenging time for Louise, also, as pollen has an adverse effect on her. “I have to avoid cutting grass, as the pollen would start me wheezing. I avoid hay as well, as it would set me off coughing. At silage time, I’d take my inhaler in the morning and have it with me. I’m always aware of what’s going on (in the environment) and what triggers my asthma.”
Luckily, animal dander isn’t a big trigger for her, although it can be for some asthmatics, she says. “Sometimes pets with long hair are a trigger, so I have a dog with short hair – a beagle.”
LOUISE’S ADVICE TO OTHERS WITH ASTHMA
But what’s her advice to other people with asthma?
• Listen to the advice of your doctor. If they prescribe a preventer for you, they are doing that for a reason. My preventer inhaler helps me on a daily basis not to have to use the reliever inhaler and avoid an asthma attack. • Listen to your own body. Figure out how your asthma works and what triggers it and when you need to take your inhaler. Are you most chesty in the mornings or evenings, for example, or after certain activities? Keeping track of that – when you need your inhaler the most – will help you be prepared for needing your inhaler or not needing your inhaler at different times. • Be prepared and organised. I would always have inhalers with me: one in the car, house and in my bag.• Remember, people around people with asthma suffer too. They should know there are things you can do if someone is having an asthma attack. See the Asthma Society’s five-step rule below. If whoever is with you sees that you are starting to lose consciousness they should call an ambulance. Over-react rather than under-react – that would be my advice.Learn how to save a life today
>> Asthma facts
More resources
The Asthma Society of Ireland has a free Advice line on 1800 44 54 64 where a specialist asthma nurse will give you tips on management of your condition.
Proper use of your inhaler is stressed – your pharmacist can advise you on this. Talk to your doctor about your condition if you feel you may not be managing your asthma as well as possible.
See www.asthma.ie – a new website which was launched in May. It now has a pollen tracker on the homepage.
For YouTube videos that will teach you more see THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS:
• For information on asthma attack symptoms, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8NRrrCDNFA&t=1s • If you’d like to find out more about managing an attack in a child under six, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGcaoDM5rds • For information on managing an attack in a child over six or adult, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGUkav0GMuM 
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