ASTHMA KILLS

+ ASTHMA KILLS

Recently reported in the NZ herald a 4 year old boy died from a presumed asthma attack. He had been on regular inhaler medication but something set off his breathing difficulties. Often we can be complacent of a some wheeziness and the getting better with inhaled medications sometimes oral medications. However this child had something not go right. It is always a shock when death occurs, however asthma kills between 118 and 197 people a year in New Zealand ( asthma foundation statistic).

Treatment involves a current management plan (if you don’t have one – ask your doctor or nurse for one) detailing escalating levels of treatment including when to seek medical attention. The regular use of a preventer (usually a steroid to reduce irritability of the airways eg. flixotide) and intermittent use of a reliever (to reduce bronchospasm eg salbutamol/ventolin) is recommended and should always be used. When symptoms are absent for a while, there can be a tendency to stop the preventer but sooner or later an attack will occur and this may be severe, requiring additional oral or in hospital treatment.

Recognising an attack can sometimes be hard ( see asthma society description), however anything that is out of the ordinary should trigger a suspicion and escalation of treatment. Often there is also a reluctance to call 111 because of not being aware of the seriousness of the situation. Please discuss any issues that arise with your GP or practice nurse.