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Asthma & Emphysema in Low Air Quality
Due to the fires around Brisbane, there is lots of smoke in the air. This can cause breathing difficulty and coughing, as well as eye and throat irritation. Our Grow Medical
doctors in Highgate Hill, Oxley
and Sherwood
want to ensure you stay well during this time of increased air pollution. Read on to find out how to prevent an asthma flare below.
What action should I take to prevent an asthma or emphysema flare?
Stay Indoors, close doors and windows, and switch airconditioning to recirculate
This may seem obvious, but avoidance is one of the easiest things to prevent a flare up when air pollen, smoke or pollution counts are high. Make sure you close all the doors and windows, and put the airconditioner on recirculate. This way, you won't be exposed to as many fine particles entering you upper airway and lungs.
Take your preventer medication as prescribed
Preventer medication is typically inhaled, and contains a medicine the helps reduce inflammation in the lungs. Asthma preventer medication is typically orange, brown or purple. Because asthma preventer medication reduces inflammation, even if particles of dust, smoke, pollen or other air pollution enter the lower airways, your lungs are less likely to respond by flaring up your asthma or emphysema. Because preventer medication does not act quickly, it is important you take it prior to developing any symptoms, so make you take it as soon as you remember. Clinical trials clearly show that taking your preventer regularly results in fewer exacerbations (flare ups) of you asthma.
Keep your reliever close at hand
Whilst your preventer should be the first thing you turn to when there is an increased likelihood of a flareup, it is important that you have your reliever nearby. Asthma reliever medication is usually blue in colour, but may be red and white. If you notice yourself or your child becoming wheezy, be sure to take your reliever medication whenever needed and seek medical care if it is required more often than every 3-4 hours.
Treat your nose if needed
Your nose has an important function to help filter, warm and humidify the air you breathe. When the air is dusty or smokey, nasal inflammation can result in mucus and blockage. As many people with asthma have co-existing allergic rhinitis (Hayfever), treating your nose with a saline irrigation and nasal cortisone spray in addition to treating your lower airway may help you keep better control of your respiratory symptoms.
Quit Smoking
Hopefully you have already worked with your GP to quit smoking, but now is a particularly good time to stop smoking if you haven't already.
Check on elderly and children regularly
The very young and the elderly are at higher risk of serious asthma attacks or exacerbations emphysema. If you children or relative have asthma or emphysema, be sure to check on them regularly, and see you GP early if symptoms are worsening. In an emergency where significant breathing difficulty is occurring, give reliever medication as often as needed and call 000.
When did you last have an asthma checkup?
Preventing loss of lung function over time, and reducing the impact on your life by preventing flare ups are important goals for the care of asthma and emphysema. When you see your Grow Medical GP
for an Asthma Checkup, you can expect to be well looked after and have all your questions answered. We will check your:
- height
- weight
- lung function
- smoking status
- It is helpful for you to complete and bring in an asthma score
If you haven't had a checkup of your asthma or emphysema for some time, make sure you book now. To make your visit more efficient, please call ahead to let our receptionists know you need a check of your asthma, so they can schedule a breathing test with the nurse prior to seeing the doctor.
What if I need help with my child's asthma
We always aim to have fit-in appointments available for young children and people who are sick on the day. Paediatric respiratory nurse Alison can help with asthma education for parents of children with asthma.
What is the next step?
Make sure you Book Now
for a consultation with your regular doctor at Grow Medical. If you don’t have a regular doctor, choose “next available with any practitioner” and we will start walking the road to better health with you.