The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) says National Asthma Week (1-7 September) is the perfect time for a reminder that asthma management isn’t just about relieving symptoms, it’s about treating what’s causing them.

Dr Brett Montgomery, Chair of the National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines Committee, said that asthma is caused by swelling and tightening of the airways making it harder to breathe.

“Asthma is a disease of ‘inflammation’ which means fluid, allergy blood cells and tiny tight airway muscles are making our airways narrower.

“If you’ve seen your skin puff up from a mosquito bite, or felt your nose get blocked due to hay fever, then you’ve experienced what inflammation can do. In asthma, that’s happening in our lungs and it’s both common and undertreated.

“As we head into peak pollen season in Australia, now is the ideal time to focus on treating the inflammation, not just the symptoms,” said Dr Montgomery.

Asthma guidelines changed last year and the latest update of the National Asthma Council’s Australian Asthma Handbook states that no adult or adolescent should manage their asthma solely with a blue puffer.

Dr Montgomery said if people with asthma are using their blue puffer more than two days a week on average, it could be a sign that their asthma isn’t well controlled.

“A blue puffer contains a medicine that relieves symptoms by relaxing airway muscles, and helps treat asthma attacks that have already started, but it doesn’t treat the underlying inflammation that causes asthma.

“It does not prevent symptoms or attacks, so relying only on a blue puffer, or needing it often, means you are at risk of severe asthma attacks.

“For people with mild asthma, a different inhaler called an anti-inflammatory reliever, taken as needed for symptoms is now the preferred recommended option because it helps treat the underlying inflammation while also providing symptom relief.

“This way, each dose not only relaxes airway muscles, but also reduces swelling and lowers the risk of serious attacks. Avoiding asthma attacks means people can avoid steroid tablet side effects, stay out of hospital, and live more of their lives as they wish to,” he said.

“For many people, changing to a new anti-inflammatory reliever will be a simple way to achieve better asthma control. Speaking to your GP is a good first step.”

The National Asthma Council is the leading national authority on asthma care, leading the improvement of asthma care and management in Australia.

Bev Mistry-Cable – personal story

Bev Mistry-Cable, a pharmacist of over 10 years, has herself experienced asthma with both her daughter and her husband and is keen to help raise awareness this National Asthma Week.

Diya’s story

“One winter day, my six-year-old daughter Diya became very quiet, and I thought she just had a fever with a common cold, so I gave her some Panadol. However, that night she developed a chest wheeze, so I took her to the GP first thing the next morning and found out she was having a full-blown asthma attack.

“She ended up in hospital for a few days and received treatment for severe asthma to get control of her symptoms.

“What I didn’t realise at the time was that Diya knew talking was making her cough, so she just became very quiet. Even as a pharmacist, I missed the signs it just shows how easy it is to miss the signs of an asthma attack, particularly with children.

“Silence can be a symptom too and I want every parent to know that. Don’t wait for the classic wheeze. If your child seems unusually still, withdrawn when unwell please get them checked. I want to encourage all parents to be very watchful and always check with a doctor if you think there might be something wrong.

“Thankfully Diya now has an Asthma Action Plan and uses an anti-inflammatory reliever with a spacer. She is now nine years old and still gets the occasional flare up after a cold or virus, or exercise, but she knows to speak up and is also confident managing her asthma. That confidence has made all the difference,” said Bev.

Chris’s story

Bev’s husband Chris also had a very difficult experience when he developed a constant cough that wouldn’t go away and was eventually diagnosed with severe eosinophilic asthma.

“What started as a persistent cough became completely debilitating. It took time, persistence, trial of many different medications and steroids and even stints in hospital before he was able to gain access to the right treatment.

“National Asthma Week is a good time to remind people that asthma is a serious, chronic inflammatory lung condition, not something to push through and manage alone. If you are using your reliever more than twice a week or its not giving you adequate relief, please speak to your health practitioner.

“Stay vigilant if you or a member of your family is experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, cough or shortness of breath. There are more treatment options available than before including newer targeted therapies for those that have severe asthma and it important to discuss your symptoms and management with your specialist,” said Bev.

For further information or an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact: Donna Le Page, Le Page PR

Mobile: 0429 825 703 or Email: donna@lepage-pr.com.au

The National Asthma Council Australia is a collaboration of four member organisations (APNA, ASCIA, PSA and RACGP) and the national trusted authority for asthma knowledge. We set and disseminate the standards for asthma care through our responsive and evidence-based asthma guidelines – the Australian Asthma Handbook and resources for primary health care professionals. Our Sensitive Choice program empowers consumers to identify asthma and allergy-aware products and services.