Asthma awareness week rolls into Cork

This week marks the Asthma Society’s inaugural Asthma Awareness Week.

Asthma Awareness Week encompasses a week of events and activities throughout Ireland, finishing tomorrow Friday 10 May.

This includes the Asthma Roadshow which rolled into Cork yesterday, taking place in Mahon Point Shopping Centre. An asthma nurse was on hand to answer the public’s queries regarding managing their asthma. There were also games for children to help them learn to manage their asthma in a fun and engaging way.

A packed week of events kicked off on Saturday with the Walk for Asthma in Marlay Park. The 5k walk involved a commemoration of the 72 people who die every year as a result of their asthma by displaying 72 windmills.

Before the Marlay Park event Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society said: “For most people, asthma is a very controllable disease when managed correctly. Asthma management will allow most people with asthma to live happier and healthier lives. However, if people with asthma do not manage their condition, they are at high risk of an asthma attack.

“One person dies in Ireland every five days as a result of their asthma. Asthma management saves lives and our Asthma and COPD Adviceline can be the first port of call to help people manage their asthma - arrange an asthma nurse call-back on 180-0445464.”

The key to asthma management is having and using an asthma action plan. These plans, which are reviewed at every available opportunity with a healthcare professional, will detail asthma medicines, symptoms, triggers, how to know if you are having an asthma emergency and what to do in the event of one.

These plans can be ordered for free from the Asthma Society offices (180-0445464) or can be downloaded from asthma.ie. Alternatively these plans can also be picked up in any local Boots pharmacy nationwide, where patients are encouraged to avail of a free Let’s Breathe Easy consultation.