Asthma in Australia 

• Asthma is Australia's most widespread chronic health problem: more than two million Australians have asthma.
• Asthma affects 1 in 4 children, 1 in 7 adolescents and 1 in 10 adults.
• Prevalence is increasing in Australia as in other countries with a western lifestyle. Severity also seems to be increasing.

Asthma triggers 

• People who have asthma have more sensitive airways than people without asthma.
• "Trigger" factors may cause airways to react by narrowing and so bring on an asthma attack or asthma symptoms.
• Avoiding triggers is an important way to manage asthma and people with asthma should ask their doctor to help identify what triggers their asthma.
• The most common triggers are: 
  - Colds and flu 
  - House dust mites, which live in mattresses, pillows, carpets and soft, furry toys 
  - Pollens from some flowers, plants and grasses - Animal fur or feathers 
  - Moulds which are often found in damp areas in bathrooms and kitchens

Asthma and food 

• Food is not a common trigger for asthma.
• Foods, drinks and food chemicals affect less than 5% of people with asthma.

Asthma and dairy foods 

• There is no clinical evidence that reducing or eliminating dairy products will improve asthma symptoms or control.
• Milk does not produce mucus in the airways. Many people confuse the temporary, slight thickening of saliva after drinking milk with mucus.
• People with asthma should consume a nutritious diet from a wide variety of foods. Milk and other dairy products play an important role in a healthy, mixed diet.
• Dairy foods contribute large quantities of calcium, riboflavin, protein and vitamins A and B₁₂ to a diet.
• Restricting or cutting them out, without medical advice, may lead to nutritional deficiencies, particularly in young children or people with a chronic illness like asthma.
• People with asthma should talk with their doctor before taking dairy foods out of their diet.

For more information and support, contact your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 645 130.

Content Updated 6 June, 2002