Lead Articles
Christmas risky for people with asthma
December 2009
Summer in Australia is a great time for celebrating and relaxing with friends and family. It can also be particularly problematic for people with asthma. Whether it is the festive season or holidays, people with asthma need to plan ahead. Here's some useful information about hidden triggers and how to keep asthma under control this summer.
It’s time to drag out the Chrissie decorations, put up the tree and get into the spirit of the festive season. But, the National Asthma Council Australia is warning people with asthma to beware of the hidden asthma triggers lurking amongst all that Christmas merriment. Read more...
Asthma and the workplace
November 2009
By Dr Ryan Hoy, Respiratory Physician, Melbourne
Work factors can markedly affect asthma control
Occupational asthma (OA) is now the most common occupational lung disease in industrialised countries, and accounts for about 15% of all adult onset asthma. Up to 3000 cases of OA occur per year in Australia.
More than 400 substances are reported to cause sensitiser induced OA, which can be defined as asthma due to allergy exposure in the workplace (Table 1). Sensitiser induced OA develops after a period of latency, usually within 2 years of initial exposure. Often asthma symptoms will be preceded by work associated rhinitis symptoms. Read more...
Pain Relievers and Asthma – Pharmacy Guide
October 2009
The National Asthma Council Australia has launched an up-to-date resource for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants to aid in recommending and dispensing analgesics to people with asthma and reduce the confusion associated with aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and asthma.
Dr Jenny Gowan, pharmacist and Associate Professor Frank Thien, respiratory physician and allergist, co-authored the ‘Pain relievers and asthma: quick reference guide'. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can trigger asthma or rhinitis symptoms in a small percentage of people with asthma and these people need to be offered a suitable alternative analgesic. Read more...
Asthma in deep water
September 2009
Written by Dr David Batt Member, GP Asthma Group, National Asthma Council Australia
Should a history of asthma always be a contraindication for diving?
Diving using scuba (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) began in the 1950s and has since become a popular activity in coastal Australia. In this article, we’ll look at whether people affected by asthma can participate in scuba diving.
There is no question that uncontrolled labile asthma is a contraindication to diving. But what about for people with controlled asthma, or with a past history of asthma? Should they also be advised against diving? Read more...
Laughter can spark asthma
August 2009
While a good belly laugh is widely recognised for its health benefits, new findings confirm laughter can be a serious matter for over a third of Australians with asthma (39%), acting as a trigger for their condition.
In Australia, asthma is one of the most widespread chronic health problems, affecting over two million Australians. A more serious concern from this research is that most people with asthma live with the false belief that their asthma is well managed (74%) even though the majority of this group are missing out on the good things in life - anything from laughing, socialising and exercising to getting a good night's sleep (85%). Read more...
Asthma Mucus Myth
July 2009
As the winter cold and flu season tightens its grip, the National Asthma Council Australia is concerned that Australians may be incorrectly pointing the finger at milk as the mucus-causing culprit. "This is a dangerous myth that dates back to the 12th century and it shouldn't be used as the basis for dietary decisions," warned National Asthma Council Australia Director, Dr Janet Rimmer, a respiratory physician and allergist. More...
Flu alert for people with asthma
June 2009
The National Asthma Council Australia is urging the two million Australians with asthma to remain extremely vigilant and seek an immediate lung function check from their GP following new data from the US which confirms people with an underlying medical condition are at highest risk of complications from swine flu - with more than 40 percent of people in New York hospitalised from swine flu having asthma. More...
Our new look
May 2009
The National Asthma Council Australia has launched a brand new logo to take it forward well into the next decade.
This is only the third image upgrade for the National Asthma Council Australia since it was established, originally as the ‘National Asthma Campaign', 21 years ago. More...
Got asthma? It's time to make a plan
April 2009
Tuesday May 5, 2009, is World Asthma Day and for the two million plus Australians with asthma this day is an excellent prompt to prepare, or update, their Written Asthma Action Plans.
"In the same way that daylight savings signals the time to change your smoke alarm battery, World Asthma Day is the time to make a resolution to consult your GP and prepare a written plan," urged National Asthma Council Australia chief executive officer, Kristine Whorlow. More...
New Chairman for National Asthma Council Australia
March 2009
Dr Noela Whitby AM has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Asthma Council Australia, the peak asthma body in the country.
She succeeds Prof John Wilson who served on the National Asthma Council Australia Board as the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand's representative from 2000 and held the position of chairman for the past three years. More...
Asthma warning in the wake of bushfires
February 2009
Early morning sun through the smoke haze in suburban Melbourne, 14 February 2009. People with asthma are urged to ensure they are carrying their asthma reliever medication with the continuing threat of the bushfires across Victoria. "Smoke and increased air pollution from fires can trigger asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing or chest tightness," warned National Asthma Council Australia Chief Executive Officer, Kristine Whorlow. "If you have asthma, or if you are responsible for a child or elderly person with asthma, be aware of the risk and the fact that these triggers can linger long after the actual bushfire threat has subsided. More...
A is for Asthma: Managing Asthma in Primary School Kids
January 2009
To coincide with the peak ‘back to school' asthma period, the National Asthma Council Australia will host a special Rural Health Education Foundation satellite broadcast program on January 27, 2009, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Asthma in children differs from asthma in adults in clinically important aspects and the program: A is for Asthma: Managing asthma in primary school kids, will feature a panel of experts who will explore key issues including the pattern of symptoms, anatomical factors and recommended treatments. More..
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