Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s Post

Great tips here on managing Allergy-Induced Asthma. #asthmaawareness #allergies #aaf Asthma and Allergy Foundation

VItamin D & asthma? Spoiler - not much benefit!!! A brand new systematic review of 13 randomized controlled trials reported that: Compared to placebo, vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on serum IgE - allergy marker blood eosinophils - allergy marker FeNO - marker of airway inflammation The authors conclude: 'Vitamin D supplementation in individuals with asthma was not associated with lower inflammatory biomarkers' My takeaway - vitamin D not really of any benefit to asthmatics. Trust me, as an asthmatic, I was and am disappointed that vitamin D, a relatively safe and cheap intervention has little or no benefit for asthma. A few years back my colleagues at Children's Mental Health Ireland at Tallaght University Hospital Prof. Basil Elnazir David Coghlan Professor Peter Greally conducted and published a small but important trial with childhood asthmatics reporting essentially what this new systematic review reports - little benefit Our small trial is here: https://lnkd.in/eRkQ_hDb The new systematic review is here: https://lnkd.in/eStCRhYG #asthma #asthmaawareness #respiratoryhealth #respiratory #vitamind #vitamind3

Since its inception in 2006 by the National Asthma Council Australia, the Sensitive Choice program has been a beacon for individuals seeking asthma and allergy-friendly products. This iconic Blue Butterfly symbol isn’t just a mark, it’s a promise of health, safety, and awareness. Why Trust the Blue Butterfly? Products sporting this symbol have undergone rigorous testing and are approved by an independent panel of health experts, including allergists and respiratory physicians. Here’s what the blue butterfly signifies. Health Expert Approval: Each product is vetted to ensure it provides real benefits for those with asthma and allergies. Safer Choices: From air purifiers to cleaning products, items with this logo meet stringent criteria to foster a healthier living environment. Support for Research: Proceeds contribute to vital asthma and allergy research and education, helping to improve lives globally. What Does This Mean for You? Choosing products with the blue butterfly can make a significant difference in managing asthma and allergy symptoms effectively. Better Indoor Air Quality: Create a safer home or workplace where the air is cleaner and healthier. Informed Purchasing Decisions: Make educated choices with a clear indicator of safety and reliability. Contribution to a Greater Cause: Your choice supports ongoing research and education that benefits asthma and allergy sufferers worldwide. Keep an eye out for the Blue Butterfly on products and services—it’s your assurance that you’re making a sensitive choice, backed by science and care for the environment.

When considering indoor air quality and purification units, there are several key concerns to address: 1. Effectiveness: Standard air purifiers and filtration units may not be as effective at capturing allergens and pollutants compared to certified asthma and allergy filtration units. These specialized units are designed with advanced filtration technology specifically to target and remove allergens, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, which can trigger respiratory issues. 2. Certification: Asthma and allergy-certified filtration units undergo rigorous testing and meet strict standards set by reputable organizations, such as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) or the Asthma Society of Canada. This certification ensures that the unit has been proven effective at reducing allergens and providing cleaner air for individuals with respiratory conditions. 3. Health Impact: For individuals with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory sensitivities, investing in certified filtration units can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. These units help to minimize exposure to airborne triggers, reduce symptoms, and improve overall respiratory function, leading to better quality of life. By addressing these concerns and choosing certified asthma and allergy filtration units, individuals can make informed decisions to effectively improve indoor air quality and better manage respiratory conditions.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways. This results in narrowing of the large and small airways that carry air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Asthma symptoms include trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness or pain in the chest. Symptoms can be triggered by different things for different people. Allergens, like seasonal pollen, mold spores, dust or pet dander are common triggers. Some people also develop asthma symptoms in response to respiratory infections, airway irritants, pollution, weather changes certain foods or with exercise. Asthma can be deadly if it is not recognized and managed appropriately. There is no cure for asthma, but appropriate education and treatment prevents asthma attacks and can help you have a better quality of life. Asthma is one of the most common and costly diseases in the United States. For more information you can visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Are you at risk of thunderstorm asthma? Australia is the thunderstorm asthma capital of the world, and with an event estimated to occur every 1-2 years, it's important to know if you may be affected. Since it's #NationalAsthmaWeek2024, let's go over the biggest risk factors for thunderstorm asthma. You are at risk of thunderstorm asthma if: 🤧 You have hay fever. Pollen allergy, specifically to grass pollen, is the leading factor across thunderstorm asthma patients in Australia. Up to 99% of people hospitalised during the Melbourne 2016 event were allergic to grass pollen. 😮💨 You have asthma. While not everyone affected by thunderstorm asthma actually had a history of asthma, people with asthma were more likely to suffer from severe symptoms during thunderstorm asthma events and needed to go to hospital. 💊 You have untreated or mismanaged asthma. Up to 68% of patients with asthma didn't have an asthma action plan in place or didn't know how to properly treat their symptoms with medication. Patients who used asthma medication before or during thunderstorm asthma events experienced less severe symptoms compared to those that didn't. If you fit into at least 1 of these categories, talk to your GP about the best ways you can prepare yourself for future thunderstorm asthma events so you can stay safe and keep well.

The Global Initiative for Asthma has chosen “Asthma Education Empowers” as the theme for the 2024 World Asthma Day. This resonates deeply with us at ASL – we strongly believe in education and it is firmly embedded in our mission statement: to help people create the healthiest possible indoor environment through science, certification, education and innovation. One of the ways we action this statement is through our asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program, a program that scientifically validates household products and building materials to be more suitable for those impacted by asthma and allergies, thereby empowering individuals to make better buying decisions. Over 60% of asthma and allergy sufferers find it difficult to choose appropriate products for their homes so our mark helps educate consumers to create a healthier home environment. Clients and retailers of our program are also educated by the provision of promotional and marketing support, findings from research, and access to extensive educational material. Additionally, our iAir Academy offers educational courses that cover various aspects of indoor air quality relating to a healthier indoor environment. Join us this World Asthma Day in educating and empowering the 260 million people worldwide affected by asthma. https://lnkd.in/gJSgcqT

**Montelukast: A Breakthrough in Allergy and Asthma Management** 🌬️💊 For patients with chronic asthma or seasonal allergies, relief often feels out of reach. Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, has proven to be an effective option in managing asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms. By blocking the action of leukotrienes, which cause inflammation and constriction of airways, Montelukast provides a much-needed solution to improve quality of life. Used as a preventive treatment, Montelukast is especially effective when combined with inhaled corticosteroids for asthma management, or as a single therapy for allergic rhinitis. 💡 *Did you know?* Montelukast is taken orally once a day, making it a convenient option for patients! As with all medications, it's important to talk to healthcare providers to ensure the best treatment plan tailored to individual needs. Let's keep raising awareness about effective options like Montelukast for those struggling with respiratory conditions. #asthma #allergies #montelukast #healthcare #pharma #respiratoryhealth #patientcare

Every time Spring rolls around in Australia, everyone starts talking about thunderstorm asthma, why is that? Well because it's always happened during Spring (so far)! Every year, the start of Spring coincides with #NationalAsthmaWeek2024, so let's discuss the connection between Spring and thunderstorm asthma. In Australia, every single known thunderstorm asthma event across the country has occurred during Spring: the earliest in the season was on October 27th and the latest was on November 29th. There are two main reasons for this: 1. Grass Pollen. A majority of plants flower during Spring, but the one of concern is grass: it starts producing pollen in September, peaks in October-November, then goes dormant in December. In Australia, high grass pollen counts recorded during thunderstorm asthma events and allergy to grass pollen was the leading factor amongst patients sent to hospital. 2. Storms. While thunderstorms can occur all year round, they tend to be more frequent & severe during warmer months like Spring. On a day with a nasty storm and a huge amount of grass pollen, there's a high risk of thunderstorm asthma. Keep safe this Spring by speaking with your GP about asthma & allergy management options and checking daily pollen forecasts & thunderstorm asthma warnings.