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Mater health experts are warning asthma and allergy sufferers to take precautions to cope with the effects of summer storms, sweltering temperatures and high humidity.
Around 90,000 Queenslanders attend hospital emergency departments every year, due to asthma, with the summer months a peak time for many sufferers.
Mater respiratory specialist Dr Adrian Barnett said around half of all hospitalisations are for children – but up to 90 percent are potentially preventable with appropriate treatment.
“Changes in weather trigger asthma symptoms in sufferers because when it’s very hot and humid, your body works harder to regulate your temperature, which can cause inflammation in your airways and also create an increase in mucous production,” Dr Barnett said.
“Humid conditions and excessive rain can also increase mould and dust mites around your house, both of which are triggers for asthma.”
Asthma is a chronic lung condition in which the airways become inflamed or swollen when exposed to triggers such as pollen, mould, dust, weather changes, exercise and colds or flu.
Around one in nine Australians have asthma and more than 40 per cent of sufferers are under 14.
Electrician Nathan Rawson, 60, was diagnosed with chronic asthma in his teens and over the last four decades has been hospitalised dozens of times.
“Humidity, heat and allergies are big triggers for my asthma, and I used to get hospitalised around six times a year and put on oxygen and steroids to get it under control,” Mr Rawson said.
“When you’re having an asthma attack, it’s very scary, it feels like you’re suffocating and can’t breathe.
“I’ve had to call an ambulance many times and it’s hard to explain to people how serious asthma can be.”
Under the care of Dr Barnett and other respiratory specialists, Mr Rawson started receiving a new medication called Dupilumab to treat his asthma symptoms and has not been hospitalised since.
“There are lots of different treatment options for people with asthma and it’s important to manage your asthma symptoms with medication well in advance of hot or humid weather conditions,” Dr Barnett said.
“People with allergic asthma and with known allergies to pollens and grasses are most at risk.
“The most important thing to do is make sure you are taking a regular inhaled steroid and have checked that you have medication available and in date ahead of stormy humid weather.
“If you are prone to asthma attacks, make sure you have an updated action plan, which usually involves having some oral prednisone on hand just in case.
“It’s also important to stay hydrated and control humidity with a dehumidifier or by using the dry setting on your air conditioner.
“And if there’s a lot of pollution around or smoke from bushfires, it’s best to stay indoors and close your windows until the air clears.”
There is currently no cure for asthma but if well managed with medication, symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and chest tightness can be alleviated.
“If you have daily symptoms and have needed oral prednisone despite taking regular inhaled steroids, see your GP,” Dr Barnett said.
“Newer medications may be available that can reduce the need to take oral prednisone and prevent exacerbations.”
