Advice for asthma sufferers as temperatures set to plummet
03 November 2008

On Tuesday 4 November staff from Asthma UK Cymru will be on hand at the National Healthy Living Week exhibition to offer information and advice on managing asthma, particularly during the colder winter months when hospital admissions for the condition are at their highest.

Wales has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, with 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 9 children living with the condition.  As the colder winter weather sets in Asthma UK Cymru is highlighting steps which should help people with asthma keep control of their condition, as part of the National Healthy Living Week’s commitment to improve the health of communities in Wales.

Edwina Wooler, clinical lead nurse at Asthma UK says: ‘We advise that if you, like many people, find that the cold weather is making your symptoms worse then follow these simple tips:

• Keep taking your regular preventer medicines as prescribed by your doctor
• If you know that cold air triggers your asthma, take a couple of puffs of your reliever inhaler before going outside
  
• Keep your blue reliever inhaler with you at all times
• Wrap up well and wear a scarf over your nose and mouth – this will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in
• Take extra care when exercising in cold weather. Warm up for 10–15 minutes and take a couple of puffs of your reliever inhaler before you start.’
  

Edwina also recommends that people with asthma have a written personal asthma action plan: ‘This is a plan which should be completed by your doctor or asthma nurse in discussion with you, and contains the information you need to control your asthma. This should include information about your medication, key things to tell you when your asthma is getting worse and what you should do about it, as well as emergency information on what to do if you have an asthma attack’.

Legendary rugby star and Asthma UK Cymru supporter Gethin Jenkins has experienced worsening asthma symptoms during the colder, winter months. He says: ‘Eddy’s advice is vital for people with asthma whose symptoms are triggered by cold weather. I ensure that I have access to my inhaler around at all times, and use it more before training during the winter to prevent asthma symptoms. By taking simple preventative steps most people can stay active and keep in control of their asthma when it gets colder outside.’

The National Healthy Living Week exhibition is being held at the Welsh Assembly’s Senedd building and is hosted by the Welsh Assembly's Cross-Party Group for Healthy Living, made up of Welsh Assembly Members and voluntary organisations to help people have a more active and fulfilled lifestyle. It runs from Sunday 2 November to Saturday 8 November 2008.

Nia Jeffreys, National Director of Asthma UK Cymru says: ‘We are delighted to be part of such an ambitious programme alongside so many other voluntary organisations, creating a national week of action and information in Wales and believe that this year will be a great success.’

1. For further information, contact the Asthma UK Media Office on 020 7786 4949 or at mediaoffice@asthma.org.uk or the Wales office on 02920 435400.
2. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK Cymru is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 314,000 people in Wales whose lives are affected by asthma.
3. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk
4. Kickasthma.org.uk is Asthma UK’s interactive website for children and young people with asthma. The site offers support and advice and includes an asthma dictionary, problem page, games and a messageboard.
5. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline