Asthma sufferers hit out at system

Asthma sufferers have hit out at Ireland’s “one size fits all” system of managing the condition, saying it is not treated seriously enough.

Ireland has the fourth highest prevalence of asthma worldwide with roughly 470,000 people affected.

Yet sufferers say because the condition is so prevalent, it is considered to be less important than other illnesses.

The Asthma Society of Ireland marked the launch of their Living With Asthma study by holding Ireland’s largest patient event.

The research highlights the impact asthma has on a person’s quality of life and reveals Irish sufferers feel abandoned by “disjointed services and poor follow-on care”.

Approximately one person each week dies as a result of asthma, yet 90% of these deaths are preventable.

There are more than 5,000 admissions to hospital each year for asthma treatment — the average cost of each admission is €2,737.

As such, the study also highlights the financial burden — sufferers report skipping medication and GP visits in an effort to save money, while some travel abroad to buy medication at a lower price.

Sharon Cosgrove, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland, praised those living with the condition, calling their resilience and personal strength “remarkable”.

“They describe the relentless need to be vigilant and aware of their own bodies all the time, and of the unpredictable nature of asthma, with the constant fear of things getting worse.

“They are limiting their activity levels, giving up hobbies and withdrawing from social and family life because of their asthma. They are embarrassed about taking medication publicly. They are being teased and seen as lazy, overweight and inactive,” she said. “These are very significant impacts on wellbeing and are without a doubt taking their toll.

“We are calling on the Government to take these findings under advisement and support a new approach to asthma management.”

Speaking at the event, patient Darragh McDonald said he didn’t let the condition stop him from becoming a paralympic athlete. “Our message is that living with asthma doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy and achieve your goals. With the right education and supports, I haven’t let asthma hold me back from competing. I urge everyone to follow my lead and contact the Asthma Society to find out what they can do to change the way they are living with asthma.

“Asthma impacts families throughout Ireland in different ways and can negatively affect people’s mental health, their self-confidence and stop them from doing every day activities like exercising or running for a bus. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

For more, log onto asthma.ie or call 1850 44 54 64.