Breath, the precious gift of life
Have you ever thought of the simple joy of breathing? How we all take it for granted. It’s one of those bodily functions we do without thinking about, yet when we struggle to breathe, life can become extremely challenging.
Asthma Explained
What is Asthma
Asthma explained – a common, chronic and variable condition in the airways.
How the Blue Inhaler works
SABA explained – How SABA, which is often the Blue Inhaler, works in the lungs for the relief of Asthma symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors
Genetic and environmental factors combine to cause asthma, most often early in life.
Triggers
Asthma is often described as an allergic disease where allergens are thought to trigger an attack.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Breathing exercises may be a useful supplement to asthma medication for symptoms and quality of life.
Asthma Worldwide
Asthma affects 1-18% of the population of the various countries in the world, and in the 10 years between 2006 and 2016, there has been an increase of 3.6% in the number of people suffering from asthma.1, 2
Severe Uncontrolled Symptoms
Asthma is the most common chronic illness in South African children and its prevalence and severity of symptoms are increasing in both urban and rural areas. Approximately half of all South African children with asthma have severe, uncontrolled symptoms.2
South Africa
South Africa ranks 25th worldwide for asthma prevalence, and 5th in terms of asthma deaths, with an estimated 18.5 deaths per 100,000 asthma cases.2
Living with Asthma
It is possible to live well with asthma if you manage it. That means you need a doctor trained to treat asthma, a treatment plan and to stick with that plan.
If you are proactive, you can reduce asthma attacks, reduce illness and ER visits and live a full life
Action Plan
The more informed you are about your condition, the better control you will have over your asthma symptoms. Please discuss a written Asthma Action Plan with your doctor.
Useful Resources
We have a number of useful links and articles with loads of additional information to assist you in managing and working with your Asthma throughout your life.
Need any further information? Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Controlled Asthma
Being in control of your condition can make you feel calmer and more at ease. When your asthma is well-controlled, you experience very few symptoms.
Uncontrolled Asthma
Poorly controlled asthma increases your risk of an asthma attack (also known as an asthma flare-up or exacerbation).1
News and Press Releases
Childhood asthma and breaking SABA Over-reliance
Despite the fact that we have evidence-based medicines to treat asthma – an alarming number of adults and children still die from asthma every year. With the fifth highest annual asthma mortality rate in the world – South Africa desperately needs to reshape its approach to asthma management.
Too many people still die from asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory respiratory condition of the airways and affects about 262-million people globally. In South Africa, more than 20% of children and 10-15% of adults have asthma. For those living with the illness it can reduce quality of life in varying degrees and it’s not uncommon to be hospitalised during an attack.
CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA
There are 50 million children under the age of 15 living with asthma in sub-Saharan Africa, most of them are reportedly in South Africa. For parents or caregivers of these children managing the illness can be complicated and stressful. Added to that, new information suggests that asthma treatment needs urgent re-examining, leaving parents with questions about the dangers of being over reliant on reliever pumps.