World Asthma Day
Image Content: Royal Children's Hospital
May 1st is World Asthma Day
What is asthma? Asthma Australia explains:
Asthma is a long-term lung condition. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers, causing a ‘flare-up’. In a flare-up, the muscles around the airway squeeze tight, the airways swell and become narrow and there is more mucus. These things make it harder to breathe.
An asthma flare-up can come on slowly (over hours, days or even weeks) or very quickly (over minutes). A sudden or severe asthma flare-up is sometimes called an asthma attack.
One in nine people in Australia has asthma. It affects people of all ages. Some people get asthma when they are young; others when they are older.
Asthma cannot be cured, but for most people it can be well controlled by following a daily management plan.
Asthma First Aid
Today would be a great day to remind yourself and your family about how to respond to an asthma attack. You can download the below flyer here.
Asthma Management Plans
If your child or teenager has asthma, it's important to ensure you have an up-to-date Asthma Management Plan from your GP, paediatrician or respiratory specialist. It's also really important to make sure it has been distributed to all the relevant people - this includes their school, childcare, sports coaches, family members, parents of friends and whoever else might need to know how to respond to their asthma symptoms.