What is it?

If you or someone you care for is having breathing difficulties, ask the question “could it be asthma?”

Asthma is usually defined as an inflammatory disease of the airways. When exposed to certain ‘trigger’s, airways become prone to narrowing there is an increase in mucus production. As a result, it becomes difficult to move air in and out of the lungs.

Asthma is usually recognised by:

• A dry, irritating, persistent cough, particularly at night, morning or with exercise or activity.
• Chest tightness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Wheeze.

If you experience these symptoms more than twice a week, or need to use your reliever puffer more than three times a week, it might mean that your asthma is poorly controlled.

What will you learn?

Living with asthma can be difficult, yet with the right advice, support and medicines it is often possible to reduce symptoms and get the condition under control. Pharmacist One-on-One Asthma & Allergy Clinics can provide you with a simple review of your asthma medicines and demonstrate the most effective way to use them to help you gain the control you need.

During the Pharmacist One-on-One Asthma & Allergy Clinic you will learn:

• What asthma is
• Major trigger factors – specifically looking at Allergen Triggers
• How your medications work – what they do to help relieve or prevent your asthma symptoms
• The best way to use your medications and devices
• How to correctly use a spacer, and its benefits
• How to effectively use a peak flow meter
• What to do in an asthma emergency
• What medications and supplements may aggrevate asthma

What tests will be done?

Asthma Score

During a 25 minute consultation with a Health Care Pharmacist, you will be asked to fill out a simple Asthma Score questionnaire to assess how you’re coping with your condition. Your Health Care Pharmacist will determine your Asthma Score and explain to you its importance and relevance to your condition.

Peak Flow Meter Test

You will also obtain a Peak Flow Meter reading. Peak Flow Meters measure how fast you can get your air out of your airways. The narrower the airways become, the lower the score. Thus, you can measure how good or bad your asthma is, rather than just guessing how you feel. This test will not diagnose asthma, however, you will be shown how to correctly use a Peak Flow Meter and its benefits.

Why you should attend

• Are you using your reliever medication (such as Ventolin^®, Asmol^®, Airmir^®, Bricanyl^®) more that 2 – 3 times per week?
• Do you want to find out more about what could be triggering your asthma?
• Do you want to be certain that you are using your asthma medication correctly?

If you’re having problems controlling your asthma or you're worried that it’s getting worse, our Pharmacist One-on-One Asthma and Allergy Clinic could be a great help.

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Most people with asthma can carry out their daily activities without asthma symptoms. Good asthma management allows you to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.

At the end of your consultation you will receive:

• Your Asthma Score and Peak Flow Meter reading.
• A referral to your doctor, if required.
• You will be offered tailored lifestyle information and advised on ways you can better control your asthma.
• A Customer Support Pack which includes samples and fact sheets on topics that matter to you.

Details

Cost - $10 per consultation
Duration per consultation – 25 minutes