Common condition killing older Australians

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Common condition killing older Australians

4 yrs ago

From National Asthma Council Australia

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a significant decrease in asthma-related deaths in Australian women, however concern continues as the number of deaths remains high and the death toll for men stagnates.

Figures show there were 389 asthma-related deaths recorded in Australia in 2018, comprising 250 females and 139 males, which signifies a decrease from 441 in 2017, and 457 in 2016. Those aged 75 and over continue to account for nearly two-thirds of deaths (241 of 389).

National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) Chief Executive, Siobhan Brophy says while adult women are consistently at the highest risk of dying from asthma, the large drop in deaths from 281 to 234 could be the result of a number of factors.

“We believe that increased awareness around asthma risks following the epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne in 2016 have played a huge part in this reduction, as have innovations in severe asthma treatments which are improving peoples’ lives and health outcomes,” says Ms Brophy.

NAC spokesperson and general practitioner Dr Ian Almond says that while severe asthma affects only about 3 to 10 per cent of the 2.5 million Australians with asthma, it can be life-threatening and deeply distressing for patients and their families.

“Severe asthma, which is asthma that requires regular treatment with intensive, high-dose medication, has a huge impact on people’s health, careers, families and daily lives.

“While it’s important that people who can benefit from new treatments are identified correctly, it’s just as important to ensure people understand what type of asthma they might have and how to properly manage their condition so they can live a life without asthma defining it,” says Dr Almond.

As a Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform member, NAC is proud to support a new interactive online asthma checklist developed by an international team of patients, advocacy groups and experts, which helps people define their asthma and spot the signs that they need to talk to their doctor.

“If your asthma treatment isn’t working for you, it may be because your asthma or allergies aren’t well controlled,” says Ms Brophy. “Simply speaking to your doctor or pharmacists could give you the chance to get your life back on track and breathe better.”

5 comments

Incognito

4 yrs ago

May have something to do with the increase of pollution and pesticides in the air and in our food, body products etc.

Ted Wards

4 yrs ago

The trouble with our medical system is they only ever look at controlling symptons without ever looking at why its occurring. A lot of it is lifestyle choices such as obesity, poort diets, high intake of processed foods with high amounts of fructose and other nasties. There is a great deal of research around this issue and the role the medical profession, pharmacuetical industries and even the food industry all work together to make us sick and keep us sick. There is no profit in people getting healthy. Basically, cut out all processed foods, espeically the low fat ones, they are loaded with even more sugar, start eating a better diet based on fruit, veg, fish and small amounts of protein and youll find within a few weeks excess weight will start going, you don't een have to exercise, you'll have more energy, you'll need less medication because the viscrel fat around your lungs is starting to disappear and it will stop crushing your lungs. Don't fool yourself, asthma is also a result of poor life style choices as well as other things.

Incognito

4 yrs ago

I agree Ted but minus the fish and animal proteins, especially dairy that clogs up your system. Fish is risky because of contamination these days. But definately the processed "dead" food in packages is lacking in nutrients and unless you get fresh food you will be lacking. I always tell people to eat more fresh leafy raw greens, it gives you lots of nutrients and energy.

A clinical trial led by La Trobe University has shown eating fish such as salmon, trout and sardines as part of a healthy diet can reduce asthma symptoms in children.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181104085114.htm

Eat well to breathe well

Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of antioxidants, which may improve your lung health and help avoid asthma attacks. Aim for a well-balance diet with 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit every day. Eating lots of fish (not fish oil supplements) may help with your asthma too.

The milk myth

Despite the common misconception, milk and other dairy foods don't cause or worsen asthma symptoms. Don't cut these out of your diet unnecessarily.

Milk, cheese and yoghurt can all be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet unless you have proven allergy to cow's milk.

Enjoy an active lifestyle

Consider getting involved in structured exercise: people with asthma who participate in physical training feel better.

Asthma symptoms after exercise are common but treatable. If exercise causes asthma symptoms, tell your doctor so you can find the treatment that works best for you. This could be as simple as taking a few puffs of your reliever before you warm up.

https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/factsheets/healthy-eating-for-asthma

Incognito

4 yrs ago

Yes Kiah that is the typical spin doctors at work again, fish and dairy are unneccessary and you can live healthy without it quite easilly. Eat what the fish and cows eat: greens.

Fish eat a large variety of things, the majority are omnivores that feed on marine animals including smaller fish, worms and crustaceans. Have some meat with your greens, will help you think straight. Even the fish have meat with their greens, lol

Image result for filet mignon with vegetables

pedro the swift

4 yrs ago

Fish eat greens??? Strange sharks and orcas you have in your world?

Incognito

4 yrs ago

Not talking about those fish, talking about the smaller ones on the bottom of the chain. The bigger the fish the more chance it is contaminated by mercury, and fish stocks are getting depleted anyway, thanks to over fishing, trawling and pollution. Eat seaweed.

Seaweed contains high levels of iodine, some are more vulnerable to its effects, which can cause thyroid dysfunction. Seaweed absorbs minerals and nutrients from the sea. It absorbs heavy metals, bad for you.

Incognito

4 yrs ago

Thanks Reagan, I do not need meat of any kind, including fish, I am unsubscribing to this topic as I am getting attacked once again, you guys never let up do you?

Listen musicveg- it works like this. You give an opinion, others give an opinion. What do you expect? People should just sit and listen to you and say nothing, especially if you're talking rubbish??? The world is made up of carnivores, non carnivores and in betweeners, live with it!

RnR

4 yrs ago

Kiah: A clinical trial led by La Trobe University has shown eating fish such as salmon, trout and sardines as part of a healthy diet can reduce asthma symptoms in children.

Kiah: Living with Asthma, National Asthma Council.

musicveg: Yes Kiah that is the typical spin doctors at work again ...

musicveg: Eat what the fish and cows eat: greens.

Pedro the swift: Fish eat greens??? Strange sharks and orcas you have in your world?

musicveg: Not talking about those fish ... Eat seaweed.

Reagan: Seaweed contains high levels of iodine ...

musicveg: I am unsubscribing to this topic as I am getting attacked ..

Me: Attacked!! What rot!! Faced with a few facts you've had a dummy spit.

:) Much as I love eating veggies sometimes fanatical vegan views are just too much. Think Reagan summed it up in his comment above.

I'm quietly and vaguely wondering why musicveg "unsubscribes".

Do you pay as you go?

Banjo

4 yrs ago

Untreated asthma is very risky in older people especially if you’re a sinus sufferer. Some elderly folk make a whistling sound when they breathe, doctors warn this could be a sign of asthma and should be checked out.

I am not asthmatic myself but as far as I’m aware there aren’t a lot of specific restrictions on diet. As a matter of fact there is some caution surrounding excessive vegetable consumption because they cause gas which is bad for asthmatics, but that doesn’t mean you stop eating them. Sulfites however found in dried fruits should be avoided as these can trigger severe asthmatic symptoms, even causing death in some cases.

I think the National Asthma Council is doing an amazing job.

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Common condition killing older Australians

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