Is your child 'asthma-ready' for school?

The start of the school year can be busy enough without the added concern about your child’s asthma striking them in the classroom or playground. With a well-documented spike in asthma flare-ups at this time of year, help your child be healthy, happy and settled at school by checking out these handy resources:

• Asthma Australia's Back-to-school asthma checklist
• Our Back-to-school asthma factsheet

Do you have your asthma bushfire plan ready? 

For people with asthma living in high risk bushfire zones, the bushfire season is time to be on high alert for asthma symptoms. Smoke and increased air pollution from fires can trigger asthma symptoms, as can high emotions such as stress and anxiety.

For information on putting together your bushfire safety plan and how you can avoid or reduce symptoms see our Bushfire and Asthma factsheet.
 

Want information on thunderstorm asthma?

Have you or someone you know been affected by the recent thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne?

The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services has launched an initiative to help inform the community about thunderstorm asthma and by providing support to families who have been directly affected by the tragic thunderstorm asthma event on 21 November last year.

Community information sessions
Included in the initiative are community information sessions during which the public can hear first-hand what thunderstorm asthma is and how best to prepare for the next pollen season. The sessions will be held during late January and February in both Melbourne and Geelong.

Seeking public comment
Public comment is also being sought by the Inspector-General of Emergency Management, who will undertake a review of the emergency response to the thunderstorm asthma event of 21 November 2016. Comments must be received by 5pm, Monday 30 January 2017.

Spirometry testing for accurate asthma diagnosis

A recent Canadian study revealed that one third of participants had been misdiagnosed with asthma. The results of this study are also very relevant in Australia. Spirometry testing is essential for an accurate asthma diagnosis.

If you are not sure if you’ve had spirometry done, watch our video and see if the process looks familiar to you. 

• Performing spirometry video
• Asthma & Lung Function Tests brochure

It's hot! Ways to cool down

At this time of year, many Australians are experiencing extremes of summer heat.

Sometimes, indoor temperatures become oppressive, so we turn to cooling to provide relief.

Refrigerated air conditioning provides an effective way to lower the internal temperature and also humidity. For those people with allergies, look for models that filter the air and have your systems cleaned to maintain efficiency.

Evaporative cooling can be effective in dry areas, but should be avoided in other areas as it is not only less effective in more humid areas, it increases humidity, which can encourage mould.

Heat recovery and other ventilation systems can assist by moving air around and even a fan will help, although filtration is generally not a feature of fans (except for the Dyson).

Opening windows when it’s cooler and dryer outside will help, but if you’re sensitive to pollen, mould or gasses (and near a road), consider the consequences.

Good insulation helps a lot!

For more information, visit sensitivechoice.com