Over two thirds of Cork asthma sufferers use inhaler incorrectly
OVER 33,000 people in Cork aren’t using their inhalers correctly, leaving them at serious risk of an asthma attack or death, the Asthma Society of Ireland has warned.
There are 50,130 people with asthma in Cork alone, with the ASI saying that 33,086 aren’t taking the necessary precautions to deal with their disease, leaving them at serious risk of breathing problems later on.
In Ireland, 470,000 people have asthma, including 1 in 5 children, who miss an average of 12 days of school a year because of their condition.
Adult sufferers miss an average of 10 days of work a year due to the disease and asthma is estimated to cost the state over €500million every year.
Every 26 minutes, someone visits an emergency department with asthma and one person dies every week because of the disease, with over 90% of those deaths being preventable.
This marks asthma as one of the biggest health problems in Ireland
The statistics come in light of World Asthma Week, from May 1-8 this year.
The week long event seeks to raise awareness around asthma, how to prevent symptoms from occurring and encourage people to get check ups for the disease.
This year, the ASI are teaming up with Boots Ireland to provide free asthma consultations and support packs in it’s 83 stores nationwide.
Averil Power, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said, “Up to 60% of all asthmatics don’t use their inhalers correctly and so don’t have their asthma under control. As a result, someone ends up in A&E every 26 minutes with a serious asthma attack and 50 people die each year because of the condition. Tragically, the vast majority of these deaths could be prevented through proper asthma management. This partnership with boots will provide asthmatics of all ages with an excellent opportunity to discuss their asthma with a pharmacist and get advise on how to manage it better.”
To avail of a free consultation and support pack, visit your local boots store.