In November 2016, a thunderstorm asthma event saw thousands of emergency ambulance calls and after-hours pharmacy presentations.
It’s something Moama Village Pharmacy asthma educator and pharmacist Sherri Bardon said health professionals did not want to see happen again.
The key, she said, was for asthma to be reviewed while patients were well, so they had an action plan in place for when they experienced a flare-up.
“We know only one quarter of patients have a current asthma action plan,” she said.
“With almost 90 per cent of patients not getting the full benefit of their inhalers, one-on-one discussion is a great opportunity for them to raise any concerns, discuss triggers and ensure they get more benefit out of their inhalers.
“The beginning of spring is a really good time to have a review with your doctor and speak to your pharmacist regarding your asthma and hay fever management and treatment, including checking your inhaler technique.”
But Ms Barden said the whole community, not just asthma sufferers, should have an understanding of asthma first aid.
“Because one in nine Australians have asthma, there’s always going to be someone around that’s going to have a reliever inhaler on them,” she said.
“If I was having an asthma attack in a supermarket, I’m sure we could find someone in the supermarket that had one, or they are available over the counter at a pharmacy.”
Thunderstorm asthma season usually runs from October to December, when there are high levels of grass pollen in the air.
Spring thunderstorm weather can cause pollen to break into tiny particles that get into the lower airways and trigger an asthma attack, even in people who may have never had asthma before.
“It affects patients with asthma but also people who have seasonal hay fever that haven’t had a history of asthma,” Ms Barden said.
“We would recommend they have an asthma reliever in their first aid kit and know how to use it. I would always recommend a spacer as well for much better effect in their medication in an emergency situation.
“The Melbourne Pollen Count app provides pollen forecasts and sends notifications if there is a moderate to severe thunderstorm asthma warning for your area.
“Those warnings would then be to stay inside before the thunderstorm approaches and during it, drive with the windows up and have all your asthma medicines with you and make sure they’re in date.
“But it all ties back to having your asthma well controlled in the first place.”
Ms Barden is available for free asthma and hay fever consultations for best management and treatment of those conditions. Appointments can be made by calling 5480 9555.
Throughout September, Moama Village Pharmacy is raising money for the Zoe Kennedy Foundation.
The fund was set up in memory of the 13-year-old niece of Echuca doctor Sam Kennedy, who died from an asthma attack in June 2020.
Donation tins are located at the pharmacy or donations can be made online at donate.asthma.org.au/Web/Fundraising/Asthma_Donate_Zoe.aspx?ItemId=IM_ZOE
For more information about asthma first aid visit asthma.org.au
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