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Do you suffer from asthma?
23.08.19
THE Asthma Society of
Ireland is today warning the 304,000 people who have
both asthma and hayfever in Ireland to take
precautions as pollen levels are expected to rise
this weekend.
Check out the Pollen Tracker on
www.asthma.ie
which provides an update of pollen levels across the
four provinces each day and a predictor of the
pollen levels for the following day.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of
Ireland, said: “For the 304,000 people who have
asthma and hayfever, hayfever can be particularly
dangerous. Hayfever symptoms are capable of
escalating an asthma attack, which in some cases can
be fatal. Asthma deaths are rising in Ireland, with
one person now dying every six days as a result of
their asthma." |
Niamh O‘Halloran, who
suffered a near fatal asthma attack because of her
hayfever, said: “Most of my friends with hayfever
experience the itchy watery eyes, runny nose and
itchy throat, etc. But for me, as I have asthma and
hayfever, symptoms can be a lot more serious. It is
essential that I manage my hayfever to ensure it
does not lead to a serious asthma attack. In my
teenage years, I suffered an asthma attack because
of my hayfever which nearly took my life and left me
in hospital for over a week. It was a terrifying
experience and I did not know if I was going to make
it."
Niamh continued, “Today, I make sure to take my
anti-histamines, along with all my asthma
medications as part of my Asthma Action Plan.
Controlling my hayfever is extremely important as it
prevents me ending up back in hospital. I find the
Asthma Society’s Pollen Tracker an excellent tool
which allows me to prepare and take precautions on
any day when the pollen count will be high.”
For any questions on managing your, or a family
member’s asthma and/or COPD, call the Asthma
Society’s free Joint Asthma and COPD Adviceline on
1800 44 54 64, where you can talk to a trained
respiratory nurse about getting your hayfever
symptoms under control. |
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