Take control of your asthma on World Asthma Day
The Lung Association – Ontario launches two new asthma action plans
TORONTO, May 1, 2018 /CNW/ - May 1st marks World Asthma Day, a good day to remember that the goal of managing asthma is to keep it under control so that you can lead a healthy, active life. More than two million people in Ontario live with asthma, a chronic lung disease that can be fatal.
According to Canadian asthma experts, everyone with asthma should have a written asthma action plan to keep their asthma under control. The Lung Association – Ontario recently released a new adult (16 years and older) and pediatric (1-15 years of age) asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is a personalized set of instructions from your healthcare provider that guides you with adjusting your medications based on symptoms you may be having. Studies show that people who use their asthma action plan have better control of their asthma.
"Research has shown us a decrease in healthcare use related to asthma, ranging from hospitalizations, emergency department visits and OHIP claims," says George Habib, President and CEO, The Lung Association – Ontario. "Part of this decrease can be attributed to educating patients on how to take control of their asthma. Creating these new asthma action plans will give patients an accessible tool that will allow them to easily understand and better manage their asthma."
For many, inhaled steroids are the most important daily medication for long-term management of their asthma. However, a 2018 study published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal found that almost half of the prescriptions for inhaled steroids for children with asthma were not filled. By having an asthma action plan in place, underuse of recommended therapies such as inhaled steroids can be avoided, which can prevent a loss of asthma control.
Anyone can download an asthma action plan at lungontario.ca/asthma.
About The Lung Association – Ontario
The Lung Association - Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping all Ontarians breathe. Our community of donors, patients, researchers, volunteers and professional staff work to ensure Ontarians have healthy lungs, bodies and clean air necessary to breathe. We achieve this by promoting healthy breathing, supporting those living with lung disease and finding future solutions. All of this is done with the goal of delivering a future of better breathing for all.
SOURCE Ontario Lung Association
Media Contact : Monica Kocsmaros, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Lung Association - Ontario, [email protected], 647-293-9911
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