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Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
10 May 2019
The Asthma Society of Ireland today concludes its inaugural Asthma Awareness Week with the launch of an animated video detailing the five vital steps to take to manage an asthma attack, and essentially, save a life. This comes after a survey completed by 1,081 people showed that that nearly seven out of ten people with asthma would not know the “5 Step Rule” to manage an asthma attack and only one in five people with asthma would know the six most common symptoms of an asthma attack.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said: “It is troubling to think that so few people with asthma know the “5 Step Rule” to manage an asthma attack. In the event of an asthma attack, knowing the steps to take is essential and could be the difference between life and death. One person now dies every five days from asthma and 90% of these deaths are preventable. Therefore, it is vital that all people with asthma and their carers learn the “5 Step Rule” so that they are fully prepared in the event of an attack. Our new “5 Step Rule” animated video aims to make it easier for both adults and kids to learn these steps.”
The asthma management survey was conductedprior to Asthma Awareness Week which concludes today in Letterkenny, Donegal. Asthma Awareness Week aimed to show people with asthma, if they manage their condition, they will live happier and healthier lives. However if they fail to manage their asthma, they will live a poorer quality of life and they are putting themselves at risk of an asthma attack. Asthma deaths are on the rise with one person now dying every five days from asthma. For people with asthma to get in control of their asthma they need to put an Asthma Action Plan in place which can be downloaded from asthma.ie for free. People with asthma should also call the Asthma Society’s free Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 which allows the user to speak to a respiratory specialist nurse about all aspects of managing their condition.
Asthma Awareness Week, which was proudly supported by Boots Ireland and GSK, began with the Asthma Society’s first ever Walk for Asthma which saw over 200 people gather in Marley Park to remember the 72 people who tragically loose their lives to asthma every year. On international World Asthma Day (May 7) the Asthma Society and a group of people with asthma spoke to the Minister for Health; Simon Harris about the issues people with asthma face in their everyday lives. The Asthma Roadshow, which saw the Asthma Society travel around the country to help people get in control of their asthma, started in Cork on 8 May, travelled to Galway on May 9 and concludes today in Letterkenny.
5 Step Rule video:
The Society runs a free Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64. Callers can speak to a respiratory specialist nurse to get practical advice about managing their asthma or COPD or that of their child. For further information about asthma and the Asthma Society’s services, see www.asthma.ie.
5 Step Rule:
Use a spacer if available.
People over 6 years can take up to 10 puffs in 10 minutes.
Children under 6 can take up to 6 puffs in 10 minutes.
Remember, if someone is having an asthma attack:
Six most common symptoms of an asthma attack:
About the Asthma Action plan:
The Asthma Action Plan, which was designed with a traffic light system in mind – aiming to reduce confusion and help users to recognise if their asthma is under control.
People who use their Asthma Action Plan are at less risk of an asthma attack and tend to miss less days from school or work on average. It’s essential that people with asthma develop an Asthma Action Plan with their healthcare professional.
For further guidance on the Asthma Action Plan, users can call the Asthma Society’s free Joint COPD and Asthma Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64.
About the Asthma Society of Ireland:
The Asthma Society of Ireland is the national charity dedicated to empowering Ireland's 470,000 people with asthma to take control of their asthma by providing them and their families with information, education, services and support. They are focused on representing people with asthma and working to improve their health outcomes.
About the Asthma/COPD Adviceline:
The Joint Asthma and COPD Adviceline is available on 1800 44 54 64.
The Adviceline is proven to have a truly positive impact on people with asthma, with appointments tailored to the needs of each caller. The Adviceline respiratory specialist nurses work through every aspect of life with asthma: what to do in the event of an asthma attack, answering questions after a GP or consultant appointment, dealing with triggers that may be bringing on asthma symptoms, and helping users put together an Asthma Action Plan to self-manage their condition. After speaking to one of the adviceline nurses, users will be fully equipped with the information and skills they need to improve their health and stay as well as possible
Callers can book a free call back appointment by calling the free phone number between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday. The Asthma Society facilitates a call back from the nurse at a time that suits the patient.
In 2016, the Asthma/COPD Adviceline was awarded an independent quality mark by the Helplines Partnership, one of only three helplines in Ireland to have achieved this standard.
About Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of varying severity that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry the air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are extra sensitive to substances (or triggers), which irritate them. Common triggers include cold and flu, cigarette smoke, exercise and allergic responses to pollen, furry or feathery animals or house-dust mites.
When the airways come into contact with an asthma trigger, the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways swell and produce sticky mucus. As the airways narrow, it becomes difficult for the air to move in and out. That is why people with asthma wheeze and find breathing difficult.
Whilst there is no cure, asthma can be controlled by avoiding triggers and by the use of ‘reliever’ and ‘controller’ medication. Relievers are medicines that people with asthma take immediately when asthma symptoms appear. Controllers help calm the airways and stop them from being so sensitive. Talk to your GP or asthma nurse about which treatment is most suitable for you. All patients with asthma are also advised to have a tailored asthma action plan, a crucial part of patient self-management, which helps patients control their asthma.
