The Asthma Society of Ireland marked its 50th year this week by bringing together champions of asthma care to reflect on the important contributions the organisation has made to Ireland, and to accelerate much-needed action on asthma.
Despite having the fourth highest rates of asthma in the world – over 400,000 people living in Ireland have it – the disease is widely misunderstood.
“Too often asthma is thought of as ‘a bit of a wheeze’, something a child will develop and then grow out of. Asthma can hit at any time in our lives and symptoms can come and go. Not taking the disease seriously can – and does – result in fatalities. The rate of asthma deaths in Ireland has actually increased over the past two years. But, with the right care, information and supports, people with asthma have the potential not just to survive, but to rise to sports stardom like rugby legend Ronan O’Gara.
“Today, I am urging key actors from across Irish society – the government, the HSE, the pharmaceutical industry, schools, employers and sports organisations – to join the Asthma Society in our renewed drive to make sure our family members, friends and colleagues with asthma stay well and thrive,” CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland Eilís Ní Chaithnía, said.
Moderated by broadcaster Matt Cooper, the event featured a virtual address from Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, TD, and conversations with people living well with asthma, including La Rochelle Rugby Coach Ronan O’Gara. They shared their personal experiences of managing their asthma and thriving in their lives.
“Growing up with asthma could be very hard at times. Struggling to breathe is frightening. But I have always loved sport and I didn’t want anything to restrict me from taking part. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have the support of experts who helped me understand and manage my asthma. I knew what my medications did and when to take them. Having those supports has allowed me to forge a career in sports that I am very proud of. The Asthma Society has been delivering free expert advice for half a century and continues to lead the way in demanding excellence in asthma care,” keynote speaker and rugby legend, Ronan O’Gara, stated.
Speaking of advances in asthma medications, Professor Marcus Butler, Consultant Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Director of the Asthma Society, noted that, in the 1980s, it would have been standard practice to prescribe just a reliever (blue ) inhaler to tackle asthma symptoms.
“Research now shows that overreliance on reliever inhalers can be extremely dangerous as they temporarily open the airways but don’t treat the underlying inflammation in the lungs. The newer combination inhalers, however, contain two types of medication that open the airways and treat the inflammation, reducing the risk of asthma attacks. If these were made available for free, we would see fewer visits to emergency departments, fewer hospital admissions and fewer deaths,” Professor Butler added.
The Society’s Planting Change campaign, was officially launched at the event, allowing supporters who care about climate change and sustainability, to give the gift of a tree or sponsor a team-building tree-planting day in support of our work. For more information about the Asthma Society, and to support our Planting Change campaign, visit asthma.ie
