Tuesday, May 3 marks World Asthma Day and Australia's peak asthma body is urging people not to ignore the weighty issue of a wheeze.
The National Asthma Council Australia is putting the spotlight on obesity and its association with asthma, encouraging people to understand that their wheeze or breathing difficulty could be due to asthma and not just the result of carrying around a heavier load.
In fact, as Australians' collective weight grows, the link between asthma and obesity is becoming increasingly evident.
National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, Assoc Prof Ian Charlton said that while the exact determinants between the populations' expanding girth and asthma are still not clearly defined, concerning evidence highlights the fact that excess weight may worsen asthma symptoms and further hinder exercise activity.
"If an overweight or obese person is experiencing breathlessness or wheezing then it's important to obtain a proper diagnosis from a doctor to find out if asthma is involved," A/Prof Charlton said.
"Increasingly, we are seeing overweight and obese people more likely to have asthma and requiring more medication to control it. But with the right medication, people should be able to start to increase their activity levels without becoming short of breath."
A recently published study from The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research identified obesity as a key determinant in controlling asthma. The research showed that response to inhaled steroid treatment was influenced by Body Mass Index (BMI), indicating patients with asthma who are obese may benefit from losing weight.1
According to the authors, "This study provides evidence in support of national asthma treatment guideline recommendations advocating weight loss as a strategy to improve asthma control."
A/Prof Charlton commented that the Asthma Management Handbook, the Australian guidelines, had included this recommendation since 2006.
Other studies have also found obesity is associated with reduced lung volume, which is linked with airway narrowing .
A/Prof Charlton said a key message to people is that losing weight can improve lung function, exercise tolerance and associated conditions such as sleep apnoea.
"A great form of exercise for asthma patients is swimming - some of the great Olympic swimmers with asthma are a testament to this," he advised.
More than two million Australians have asthma.
The symptoms of asthma include a wheeze, or whistling sounds, as the person breathes; tightness in the chest; shortness of breath; and, a cough, especially in the early morning or with exercise or activity.
Poorly managed asthma can be fatal.
Anyone experiencing asthma-like symptoms should visit their GP immediately for proper diagnosis and management advice.
Reference
1. See here.
Source:
National Asthma Council Australia
The National Asthma Council Australia is putting the spotlight on obesity and its association with asthma, encouraging people to understand that their wheeze or breathing difficulty could be due to asthma and not just the result of carrying around a heavier load.
In fact, as Australians' collective weight grows, the link between asthma and obesity is becoming increasingly evident.
National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, Assoc Prof Ian Charlton said that while the exact determinants between the populations' expanding girth and asthma are still not clearly defined, concerning evidence highlights the fact that excess weight may worsen asthma symptoms and further hinder exercise activity.
"If an overweight or obese person is experiencing breathlessness or wheezing then it's important to obtain a proper diagnosis from a doctor to find out if asthma is involved," A/Prof Charlton said.
"Increasingly, we are seeing overweight and obese people more likely to have asthma and requiring more medication to control it. But with the right medication, people should be able to start to increase their activity levels without becoming short of breath."
A recently published study from The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research identified obesity as a key determinant in controlling asthma. The research showed that response to inhaled steroid treatment was influenced by Body Mass Index (BMI), indicating patients with asthma who are obese may benefit from losing weight.1
According to the authors, "This study provides evidence in support of national asthma treatment guideline recommendations advocating weight loss as a strategy to improve asthma control."
A/Prof Charlton commented that the Asthma Management Handbook, the Australian guidelines, had included this recommendation since 2006.
Other studies have also found obesity is associated with reduced lung volume, which is linked with airway narrowing .
A/Prof Charlton said a key message to people is that losing weight can improve lung function, exercise tolerance and associated conditions such as sleep apnoea.
"A great form of exercise for asthma patients is swimming - some of the great Olympic swimmers with asthma are a testament to this," he advised.
More than two million Australians have asthma.
The symptoms of asthma include a wheeze, or whistling sounds, as the person breathes; tightness in the chest; shortness of breath; and, a cough, especially in the early morning or with exercise or activity.
Poorly managed asthma can be fatal.
Anyone experiencing asthma-like symptoms should visit their GP immediately for proper diagnosis and management advice.
Reference
1. See here.
Source:
National Asthma Council Australia
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