World Asthma Day is an international day to raise awareness of asthma and how it affects people living with the condition and their families.
Every day in the UK, the lives of 3 families are devastated by the death of a loved one to an asthma attack. Sadly, 90% of these deaths can be prevented with proper education, treatment and management. Asthma is a chronic lung condition which causes the airways (bronchial tubes) to become inflamed and narrow, making it difficult to breathe, often in reaction to triggers such as allergens, exercise, stress or changes in temperature. Symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, provides free evidence-based health information, confidential advice and support to people with asthma, their families, carers and friends across the north-east of Scotland.
Commenting on this year’s World Asthma Day theme, “Enough Asthma Deaths”, Dami Jaiyesimi, Health Promotion Manager, said, “There have been one too many asthma deaths, many needlessly and many prematurely, leaving pain and heartbreak for their loved ones. Although there is no cure for asthma, we believe that it can be controlled and people with asthma can lead normal healthy, active lives.
While there is effective treatment for asthma - preventer medication to treat the underlying inflammation and relief medication for flare-ups of asthma symptoms, treatment alone is not enough. Proper education and patient self-management are key to controlling asthma effectively. People with asthma, their families, and those around them need to understand asthma, its triggers, symptoms and management, and when to seek urgent medical assistance.”
Every 10 seconds someone is having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack which can happen anywhere - at home, at school, at work or at social gatherings. This makes it very important to also educate the family, friends, peers, colleagues and community members about asthma, how to recognise its symptoms and what to do in an asthma attack. If someone is having as asthma attack, follow the steps below to help them:
- Sit the person upright. Be calm and try to reassure the person (do not leave them alone).
- Give 1 puff of their BLUE reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds, you can give up to 10 puffs. Use a spacer if available, especially if they are a child.
- If symptoms do not improve, get worse or the person starts to turn blue around the lips, call 999 for an ambulance. Tell the operator the person is having an asthma attack.
- Continue to give 1 puff of BLUE reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds until help arrives.
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which has undoubtedly brought about a time uncertainty and anxiety for families managing asthma, George Adam, Interim Chief Executive of the Charity, said, “Although the current focus is quite rightly on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we need to ensure that people with asthma are getting the essential health care and support that they need. As a Charity, we continue to advocate for people living with asthma, and our goal at this time is to minimise the impact of the pandemic on their health and well-being.
It is important that people with asthma continue to follow their Asthma Action Plan to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms, keep taking medications as prescribed by their doctor, and seek immediate medical assistance if their asthma is getting worse or they are having an asthma attack.”
If you need help managing asthma, please contact Asthma and Allergy Foundation on 01224 973001 or email info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk