National Asthma Week 2007 - 1 To September 7, Australia

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 31 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The first week of September is National Asthma Week and Australia's peak asthma body, the National Asthma Council Australia is urging the 2 million plus Aussies with asthma to take the time this week to ensure they have a current written asthma action plan.

According to National Asthma Council Australia chairman, Professor John Wilson, asthma prevalence in this country is relatively high but we can minimise its impact through greater awareness and understanding.

"In the same way that daylight savings signals the time to change your smoke alarm battery, National Asthma Week is the time to make a resolution to consult your GP or pharmacist and prepare a written asthma action plan, or if you already have a plan, make sure it is up-todate," Prof Wilson urged.

These written instructions help people with asthma, as well as their family, carers and neighbours, recognise how to tell if asthma symptoms are getting worse, and what action to take.

"Research shows that written action plans keep people with asthma in control of their condition. They are better equipped to recognise deterioration of their symptoms and can respond appropriately," Prof Wilson said.

Unfortunately, many Australians with asthma do not have a written asthma action plan, despite evidence that shows that asthma self-management programs that involve a written action plan have a greater reduction in hospitalisation than those that do not.1

"People who have a written action plan have better controlled asthma, fewer asthma symptoms and fewer days off work or school because of asthma," Prof Wilson explained.

Poorly managed asthma can be fatal. According to the latest statistics, 318 Australians died from asthma in 2005.

"There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are preventable - we just need to continue to take it seriously," Prof Wilson said.

Sample asthma action plans can be downloaded from the National Asthma Council website: http://www.nationalasthma.org.au.

Gibson, P. G., J. Coughlan, et al. (2000). "Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma." (2): CD001117.

About Asthma

-- Asthma is a disease of the airways.
-- When a person has asthma symptoms, the muscles around the airways tighten; the lining of the airways swells; and, extra mucus may be produced. These changes cause the airways to become narrow, so that there is less space for the air to flow in and out of the lungs.
-- Poorly managed asthma can be fatal.
-- According to the latest statistics, 318 Australians died from asthma in 2005.
-- People aged 70 plus accounted for 191 of the deaths recorded, while those aged 40 to 60 years accounted for 95 deaths.
-- There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are preventable - we just need to continue to take it seriously.
-- Sample asthma action plans can be downloaded from the National Asthma Council Australia website: http://www.nationalasthma.org.au and should be completed in consultation with a doctor.

http://www.nationalasthma.org.au