Understanding asthma and allergies
Sensitive Choice connects you with health care professionals to answer your questions about asthma and allergies. We’re committed to helping the 2.8 million (10.8%) Australians who have asthma live better with asthma and allergies. We’ve teamed up with a range of health care professionals to address common topics of confusion about asthma.
Asthma diagnosis and spirometry testing | What to do if you think you have asthma
Do you or your loved ones think you might have asthma?
Narelle Williamson, registered nurse, Asthma & Respiratory Educator and Senior Clinical Consultant for the National Asthma Council Australia is here to answer your questions.
Narelle explains the symptoms of asthma, getting diagnosed and what spirometry testing is.
What is a Written Asthma Action Plan and who needs one?
Do you have a Written Asthma Action Plan?
Debbie Rigby, Clinical Executive Lead at the National Asthma Council Australia explains everything you need to know about Written Asthma Action Plans.
Sensitive Choice highlights how Written Asthma Action Plans are an essential tool to good asthma management, and why it’s important for anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma to have one.
Download our templates for Written Asthma Action Plans.
How do allergies impact asthma?
Did you know? Up to 80% of people with asthma have allergies!
The National Asthma Council Australia’s Clinical Professor Sheryl Van Nunen discusses the impacts of allergies on asthma and debunks common myths about allergies.
These myths include:
- ‘Everyone has allergies’
- ‘Everyone is allergic to house dust mites’
- ‘There is nothing you can do about allergies’
- ‘There is nothing you can do about curing your allergies’
Professor Sheryl Van Nunen explains the truth about asthma and allergies.
Are you overusing your asthma reliever medications?
Could you be overusing your asthma reliever? Does this matter?
Debbie Rigby, National Asthma Council Australia Clinical Executive Lead, explains the impacts of overusing asthma reliever medications.
It’s important to recognise what counts as ‘overusing’ and how this impacts your asthma management.
For more information on living better with asthma and allergies, see our resource hub.
Do you know what triggers your asthma?
Why is it important to understand your asthma triggers?
A key factor in reducing asthma symptoms is avoiding what triggers your asthma in the first place.
On day 6 of National Asthma Week, Adele Taylor, Sensitive Choice Program Manager, shares what the most common asthma and allergy triggers are and how you can get to know which allergens trigger your asthma.
What is the difference between asthma relievers and asthma preventers?
What is an asthma preventer and how is it different from an asthma reliever?
Dr Joel Ten, GP and spokesperson for the National Asthma Council Australia, explains the difference and how both are essential for people diagnosed with asthma.
Using your asthma preventer as your doctor prescribes can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks, and helps to improve lung health. Asthma preventers are needed for people who use their asthma relievers more than once or twice a month.
Visit your GP today to reassess your use of asthma preventer medications.