Moama Village Pharmacy pharmacist and asthma educator Sherri Barden said one in nine Australians were reported to have asthma.
“That could be three children on a football team, or three children in a classroom, that are suffering,” she said.
As the condition is common, and potentially life-threatening, Ms Barden said education and collaboration was key to looking after asthma sufferers.
“Of the over 31,000 hospital presentations for asthma in Australia in 2022-23, over 90 per cent were potentially avoidable with optimised care in the community” she said.
Knowing the signs of asthma, how it affects airways and how to respond to flare-ups and emergencies is important for sufferers and those around them.
Education is particularly important at this time of year as respiratory infections, which are more common in winter, are a major trigger for asthma.
“Now's a good time to see your doctor for a review or speak to your pharmacist to make sure that you’re using your medications properly,” Ms Barden said.
“Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations. It’s a really good time to have that conversation and be prepared.”
Ms Barden offers asthma education and MedsChecks three days per week at Moama Village Pharmacy.
She developed an interest in adolescent asthma following the tragic passing of Zoe Kennedy, who was just 13 years old.
Zoe was the niece of local healthcare professionals, and a foundation was started in memory of her life, with more information at https://www.zoekennedy.com.au
Asthma Australia will launch its Smarter Oral Steroid — towards the responsible use in asthma care campaign on Tuesday.
It aims to empower people with asthma to make informed choices about oral corticosteroids and promote asthma management to avoid the need for rescue medicines like oral steroids.
To find out more, visit https://asthma.org.au/smarter-oral-steroids
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