Asthma Society concludes Asthma Awareness Week with launch of new “5 Step Rule” video
Asthma deaths on the rise: learn how to manage a potentially fatal asthma attack
WATCH: 5 Step Rule video lists the steps to take to save a life during an asthma attack
Seven out of ten people with asthma would not know the “5 Step Rule” to manage an asthma attack
10 May 2019
The Asthma Society of Ireland today concludes its inaugural Asthma Awareness Week with the launch of an animated video detailing the five vital steps to take to manage an asthma attack, and essentially, save a life. This comes after a survey completed by 1,081 people showed that that nearly seven out of ten people with asthma would not know the “5 Step Rule” to manage an asthma attack and only one in five people with asthma would know the six most common symptoms of an asthma attack.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said: “It is troubling to think that so few people with asthma know the “5 Step Rule” to manage an asthma attack. In the event of an asthma attack, knowing the steps to take is essential and could be the difference between life and death. One person now dies every five days from asthma and 90% of these deaths are preventable. Therefore, it is vital that all people with asthma and their carers learn the “5 Step Rule” so that they are fully prepared in the event of an attack. Our new “5 Step Rule” animated video aims to make it easier for both adults and kids to learn these steps.”
The asthma management survey was conducted prior to Asthma Awareness Week which concludes today in Letterkenny, Donegal. Asthma Awareness Week aimed to show people with asthma, if they manage their condition, they will live happier and healthier lives. However if they fail to manage their asthma, they will live a poorer quality of life and they are putting themselves at risk of an asthma attack. Asthma deaths are on the rise with one person now dying every five days from asthma. For people with asthma to get in control of their asthma they need to put an Asthma Action Plan in place which can be downloaded from asthma.ie for free. People with asthma should also call the Asthma Society’s free Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 which allows the user to speak to a respiratory specialist nurse about all aspects of managing their condition.
Asthma Awareness Week, which was proudly supported by Boots Ireland and GSK, began with the Asthma Society’s first ever Walk for Asthma which saw over 200 people gather in Marley Park to remember the 72 people who tragically loose their lives to asthma every year. On international World Asthma Day (May 7) the Asthma Society and a group of people with asthma spoke to the Minister for Health; Simon Harris about the issues people with asthma face in their everyday lives. The Asthma Roadshow, which saw the Asthma Society travel around the country to help people get in control of their asthma, started in Cork on 8 May, travelled to Galway on May 9 and concludes today in Letterkenny.
