In this Issue December 2006

Season's Greetings from the National Asthma Council Australia.

Asthma Statistics Release Date Moved

Asthma Bushfire Warning

Bushfire Asthma Management Tips

Holiday Asthma Management Tips

Farewell to Kathy Hope

Research Funding Opportunities 

Conference Diary 2006

Asthma Statistics Release Date Moved

The Australian Bureau of Statistics have notified the National Asthma Council Australia that the mortality statistics usually released during December will now be available in early 2007. The information will relate to deaths from asthma in Australia during 2005.  

Asthma Bushfire Warning

For people with asthma living in Victoria and other States affected by bushfires, it is time to be on high alert. 

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.

Professor Wilson also warned city dwellers not to underestimate the potential risk to their health.

Bushfire smoke contains particles of different sizes, water vapour and gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Larger sized air-borne particles, containing burning debris, contribute to the visible haze when a fire is burning. They are generally too large to be breathed into the lungs, but they can cause irritation to the lungs, throat and nose.

Finer particles and gases, however, are small enough to be breathed into the lungs.

Research conducted on smoke and its effect on asthma in Darwin during the dry season of 2000 found a significant 140% increase in asthma presentations to the Royal Darwin Hospital on very hazy days.

Useful Resource

Asthma Action Plans

First Aid for Asthma
http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/emergency/index.asp

Bushfire Asthma Management Tips

• If you live in a fire danger area, or are likely to be visiting one, discuss the dangers with your local GP and update your Written Asthma Action Plan accordingly.
   
• Volunteer fire-fighters with asthma, who are likely to have prolonged, intensive exposure to fire, heat and smoke, should have appropriate Written Asthma Action Plans updated with their GP.
   
• Always ensure you have plenty of medication on hand, particularly reliever medication. Continue use of your preventer as well.
   
• On days of total fire ban or high fire danger days, listen to your local radio station for localised fire danger updates and reports.
   
• If you plan to evacuate, always carry your inhaler with you.
   
• When smoke is in the air, but a fire is not directly threatening you, stay indoors, and, if possible use a filtered air conditioner

Useful Resource

First Aid for Asthma
http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/emergency/index.asp

Holiday Asthma Management Tips

Whether you are heading off to the beach, the country, interstate or perhaps even overseas, good preparation is vital for people with asthma. Here are a just few good tips.

Before you go

• Make sure your written Asthma Action Plan is up to date.

• Having your asthma under control before you leave is important.

• Have your GP check your asthma. You do not need to be unwell to have your asthma checked.

• A letter from your GP, listing the medications you are taking and why, may be useful for an emergency and for customs if you are travelling overseas.

• Make sure that any medical insurance you take out will specifically cover your asthma (contact your travel agent or Asthma Foundation for advice. 

On the way

• Keep your medication and written Asthma Action Plan with you in your hand luggage whether you are travelling by plane, train or just by car.

• Spare medication can be packed away, but you do not want to be rummaging in the boot of your car in an emergency.

• Also, keep in mind that luggage may be lost, so divide your medication between what you carry on board and what you place in your suitcase.

At your destination

• Plan your activities so that you know where and how to get help in an emergency.

• If staying with friends be aware of your asthma triggers like cat, dog or horse allergens. Also, dust mite numbers are often higher in coastal areas and humid environments.

• Take a peak flow meter to provide you with a regular indication of how well your asthma is being controlled or
  Keep a note of symptoms and how often you need to use your reliever medication.

Useful Resource

Asthma Action Plans

First Aid for Asthma
http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/emergency/index.asp

Farewell to Kathy Hope

The National Asthma Council Australia farewelled Project Manager Ms Kathy this month, following her decision to pursue a slightly different career path. Over the past eleven years with the NAC, Kathy has been involved in and overseen the production of four editions of the Asthma Management Handbook, as well as numerous other projects and activities.

As a person with asthma, Kathy has drawn upon her own health journey for the benefit of the NAC in working with the Australian media, and providing educational resources. Tapping into her enormous capacity for injecting fun into the important work of the NAC has endeared Kathy to her colleagues in the NAC General Practice Asthma Group and the NAC Pharmacy Asthma Group.

Apart from the seeing the sixth edition of the Asthma Management Handbook through to a successful launch just last month, Kathy and Garry Irving from the Asthma Foundation of Victoria were the organisational nucleus for the International Primary Care Respiratory Group World Conference 2004: Respiratory Disease in Primary Care - the way forward held in Melbourne.  

A farewell dinner for Kathy was held in Melbourne on December 9 hosted by the NAC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Kristine Whorlow. During the evening, colleagues from around the country took the opportunity to salute Kathy's work for the NAC and reminisce about the sometimes bumpy and unexpected road to many successful ventures.

Best wishes to Kathy for her future endeavours!

Farewell Dinner Photographs - Dec 2006

Research Funding Opportunities