AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE GUARDIAN ON BEHALF OF MEDIAPLANET WHO TAKE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS Reducing the risks Know the triggers and how to avoid them Good management Prevention and treatment are key Adult onset asthma Environmental and genetic links ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES WORLD ASTHMA DAY TODAY SHOW YOUR SUPPORT DEFYING THE ODDS Double Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott talks about how she manages her asthma and how she hopes to inspire others with the condition PHOTO: ADIDAS The natural choice for a great night s sleep Choose from a great selection of Anti Allergy mattresses from Silentnight. Our mattresses contain a 100% natural solution ensuring the mattress remains fresh, hygienic and dust-mite free helping the many sufferers of allergies, intolerances and sensitivities. For more information and to view the range visit www.silentnight.co.uk/hypoallergenic
2 MAY 2013 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET CHALLENGES More than one in three people in the UK are affected by allergic diseases, with consequences ranging from minor inconvenience to severe disability, disabling fear and even sudden death, says Professor Chris Corrigan of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). Specialist diagnosis and advice are key Allergic diseases occur when people make particular antibodies against allergens which they meet in their environment. These allergens can be found in pollens, the skin and body fluids of domestic animals, house dust mites, moulds, foods, bee and wasp venom and some drugs, especially penicillins. Measuring severity When people are sensitive to certain allergens, exposure to them can cause a range of responses: from skin itching and swelling, to low blood pressure, chest tightness and swelling of the vocal cords. These allergic reactions can also exacerbate eczema, seasonal and perennial hay fever and asthma by aggravating already twitchy airways. The severity of these reactions Professor Chris Corrigan The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) ranges from person to person. Milder responses are relatively manageable; however in more serious cases, reactions can be catastrophic and potentially fatal. Because the consequences of allergies are frequently frightening, and in some cases fatal, many patients and their carers require expert advice from allergy professionals. Specialist diagnosis and advice are essential to allay their fears, and professional consultation can often lead to overall prevention or control of disease not only alleviating the symptoms but also assisting with everyday avoidance of identified triggers. Seeking help and treatment There are still very few allergy specialists active in the UK including doctors, nurses and dieticians. Of course, it requires experience to match up symptoms with allergy tests and specialist treatment; given the alarming proportion of people suffering from allergic conditions every day over a third of the UK population, with many still thought to be undiagnosed it is essential that we ensure these lifealtering conditions do not go untreated. People suffering from any allergic symptoms should be encouraged to seek help, and make sure they are receiving the care they need. WE RECOMMEND PAGE 4 Maureen Jenkins Director of Clinical Services, Allergy UK If a young person gets hay fever very badly, there is evidence that they can drop a grade in their exams We make our readers succeed! ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES 4TH EDITION, MAY 2013 Managing Director: Chris Emberson Editorial and Production Manager: Faye Godfrey Business Developer: Sara Downes Responsible for this issue Project Manager: Katie Dolamore Phone: 020 7665 4403 E-mail: katie.dolamore@mediaplanet.com Distributed with: The Guardian Print: The Guardian Print Centre Mediaplanet contact information: Phone: 0207 665 4400 Fax: 0207 665 4419 E-mail: info.uk@mediaplanet.com Find Mediaplanet UK on:
ASTHMA RESEARCH Have you been diagnosed with asthma? Are you already taking medication for your asthma? Synexus is looking for volunteers aged 12 and over to take part in asthma research Synexus and Asthma Asthma symptoms can come and go, and whilst there is no cure, there are a number of treatments that can help control the condition. However, it s vital that treatments which may help to reduce the severity of the condition and provide improved medications for everyday use to control and treat the symptoms. Synexus asthma research Synexus, the world s largest multinational company dedicated to the successful recruitment and running of clinical studies, is currently recruiting patients for a study to assess a treatment for Asthma. The study has received full ethical approval. What happens during a research study? As part of the asthma research study, and following a telephone screen, you will be invited to your local Synexus clinic for a respiratory health check. A member of our medical team will discuss your asthma condition and your suitability for the study. They will also explain what the study involves, including the length, treatment plan, clinic visits and health checks. If you are interested in learning more, we will provide an information sheet and you are then free to go away and think about whether you d like to go ahead. Taking part in the respiratory health check places you under no obligation to continue with the study. If you decide that you would like to continue we will discuss next steps at your appointment. You will be given a treatment plan to follow and asked to come to regular appointments at your local Synexus research clinic. Synexus has clinics in Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside, Midlands, Scotland, Thames Valley and Wales. Would my usual healthcare be affected? Quite simply, it wouldn t: During a study: You would visit your doctor for any health issues not related to your participation in the study. We would keep your doctor informed of your condition. On leaving a study: Your usual healthcare would not study (your doctor will care for you exactly as before). STUDY LENGTH TREATMENT PLAN CLINIC VISITS HEALTH CHECKS Will you take the step? Find out more about Synexus: Call: 0845 270 1187 quoting ref. 13413 email: patientoutreach@synexus.com or visit www.challenge-asthma.com Contacting us won t put you under any obligation to volunteer. Improving Asthma Health
4 MAY 2013 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET NEWS RELIEVING THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS Question: How can allergic rhinitis be effectively managed? Answer: With a combination of treatments and, where possible, avoiding the allergens that trigger the condition. Rhinitis the inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose has various causes, for example, a cold virus, or non-allergic factors such as spicy food, which aren t dangerous and simply cause congestion. However, 12 million people in the UK suffer from allergic rhinitis: that is, an allergic reaction to pollen, dust mites, pets and mould spores. Whatever your trigger, says Maureen Jenkins, Director of Clinical Services at the charity Allergy UK, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are the same and may include sneezing, runny nose or a blocked stuffy nose, and can occur in association with inflammation of the eyes or sinuses. For some sufferers it can be extremely debilitating, says Jenkins. For example, if a young person gets FACTS Seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever is considered the most common allergy. A quarter of the UK population suffer from it. Grass pollen is the most common allergen, and it affects sufferers at specific times of the year (May - July). hay fever very badly, there is evidence that they can drop a grade in their exams. Treatment options Ideally, management of allergic rhinitis should be started before symptoms occur. If you know you are allergic to tree pollen, start your treatment a couple of weeks before the Sufferers who are allergic to tree pollen will be affected between February and June; sufferers who are allergic to weed and shrub pollens will be affected in September and October. SOURCE: ALLERGY UK PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Maureen Jenkins Director of Clinical Services, Allergy UK tree pollen season begins, says Jenkins. You can use anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine nasal sprays and tablets, allergy eye drops, saline nasal washes and even dab a balm around your nostrils to stop the pollen entering. Moderate to severe symptoms may be treated by a steroid nasal spray but see your GP who will be able to advise you on the best treatment. Avoiding allergens is the best advice, but often difficult to do, says Jenkins. Watch the pollen count and try not to go to places where it may be high. Wear wraparound sunglasses, keep your windows closed in the early morning and late afternoon, and only put your washing out in the middle of the day and bring it in early. If pets are a trigger for you, take treatment before you come into contact with them. Allergic rhinitis is part of the family of allergies which includes eczema and asthma and if you have one, you can be susceptible to others. Unfortunately, asthma sufferers may find rhinitis particularly problematic because a triggered response in the airways may provoke an asthma attack. Although, says Jenkins, treat the rhinitis and asthma symptoms will improve. TONY GREENWAY info.uk@mediaplanet.com AIR POLLUTION IS THE UK S INVISIBLE KILLER! Medically proven treatment from Your WELL-BEING BODYGUARD! World Asthma Day Voucher! 20% of for All Air Purifiers & Salt Inhalers! Code: WADVBWBM Valid from 7th and 14th May 2013! www.bwbm.co.uk
6 MAY 2013 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET INSPIRATION The importance of good asthma management Question: How do you ensure that you receive the best care for your asthma? Answer: Regular medical reviews and a written action plan is a good place to start. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways and causes symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing and/or tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. It can be dangerous, hospitalising between 70,000 and 80,000 people and causing 1,100 deaths every year so knowing how to manage asthma effectively with the best forms of treatment is crucial. Yet care for patients varies from location to location. Dr Samantha Walker, Executive Director, Research & Policy at Asthma UK says, it s important for people to regularly assess their risk of an attack, recognise when their symptoms are getting worse, take these warning signs seriously and treat them quickly, she says. For example, if you find that you are using your blue inhaler a lot more often than you normally do, that should set alarm bells ringing. In Dr Walker s view, increased understanding of the risks associated with asthma and working hard to prevent asthma attacks could significantly reduce the number of people dying from asthma every year. Effective management Since the national quality guidelines for asthma management have recently been reviewed, it is important that people evaluate the care they are receiving for their condition. With that in mind and to make people aware of national quality guidelines that promote good management of the condition Asthma UK is launching a campaign called Compare Your Care, to coincide with World Asthma Day, today. There s no doubt that the majority of people benefit from currently available asthma treatment, says Dr Walker. That s not an issue. What we need to do, however, is make sure that everyone in the UK receives the same high standard of asthma care from their doctor or nurse to ensure that those who are at risk of an attack are recognised and managed optimally. If you fi nd that you are using your blue inhaler a lot more often than you normally do, that should set alarm bells ringing Samantha Walker Executive Director, Research & Policy, Asthma UK For instance, Dr Walker makes clear that effective management of asthma should include a written action plan from your GP. There s evidence that a written plan can help prevent attacks because it makes clear what you should do in an emergency, she says. People with the condition should also have their inhaler techniques checked regularly to make sure they are using them effectively; and they should have an annual review with a healthcare professional in order to, for instance, understand their triggers and how best to avoid them. Allergy and asthma are interlinked. Some conditions, such as hay fever, can make asthma worse so, in these cases, the need for effective asthma control is even more acute. And, says Dr Walker, if you have a food allergy as well as asthma, ensuring that your asthma is under control is vital to reduce the risk of having a severe asthma attack as part of an allergic reaction to food. TONY GREENWAY info.uk@mediaplanet.com Double Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott is the face of Asthma UK s Big Up Your Chest, an online resource to help 16 to 25-year-olds living with the condition. The sportswoman, who was recently made an OBE, defied the odds to become a cycling champion after she was born with a collapsed lung and developed severe asthma. Laura says: When I was a child I developed severe asthma. As a result, my
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET I hope that I can inspire other people my age with asthma through my own accomplishments doctors advised me to start swimming to help me to regulate my breathing and I later I took up cycling with my mum. I was overjoyed when I won two gold medals for track cycling at the London 2012 Olympics I couldn t believe how far I d come and I was so proud to fly the flag for Britain! I was able to achieve these amazing victories because I manage my asthma by taking my medicines and making sure I m looking after my condition sensibly. It still impacts me physically as I tend to get a dry cough after I ve been training so I have to be aware of my limits. I hope that I can inspire other people my age with asthma through my own accomplishments and show that with the right treatment, management and attitude to asthma, it doesn t have to hold you back. It s important for young people to understand their asthma and find out how they can look after it too, so that they reduce the risk of having an asthma attack. MAY 2013 7 ADULT ONSET ASTHMA THE RISK FACTORS Question: Why are some people at risk of developing adult onset asthma? Answer: There are various genetic and environmental reasons but recent reports suggest that occupational and lifestyle factors may play a part. Asthma affects 5.4million people in the UK. Usually symptoms occur in childhood, but a person with no history of the condition can develop them later in life. This is known as adult onset asthma. A study published in January by researchers at Imperial College London tracked the occurrence of asthma in a group of 9,488 people born in Britain in 1958. Not including those who had asthma as children, nine per cent were PHOTO: ADIDAS Malayka Rahman Research Analysis Officer, Asthma UK found to have developed asthma by the age of 42. The study highlighted links between the workplace in one in six of these cases. For example, cleaners, farmers, hairdressers and printing workers were found to have an increased risk of developing the condition. The occupations highlighted in the report were associated with, for example, the use of cleaning products or exposure to smoky atmospheres and/ or dust, says Malayka Rahman, Research Analysis Officer from Asthma UK. It suggests that the lungs became sensitised to these substances, resulting in asthma. Poor diet Asthma isn t a uniform condition that simply has one cause, says Rahman. Whether we develop asthma or not will be down to number of things involving a combination of our genes and our environment. Asthma might develop following a viral infection, for example, or because of exposure to dust or cigarette smoke. Poor lifestyle may also increase the risk of asthma developing. In January, new research published in the journal Thorax suggested a link between diet and asthma and other allergies; while previous studies have pointed to obesity as an asthma risk factor. Exercise would therefore be important but can it also be a trigger for the condition? It s a balance, says Rahman. Exercise can be a trigger for some; but, equally, if carefully managed, it can have many benefits such as improved lung capacity and reduced stress, and it helps with weight. A healthy and balanced lifestyle and diet is important when it comes to managing asthma, so eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and oily fish. And if you are worried, speak to your GP or call the Asthma UK Adviceline. TONY GREENWAY info.uk@mediaplanet.com #1 Health Website The top 50 websites you can t live without Over 35,000 people a month trust our asthma and allergies information Visit patient.co.uk/allergies @patientuk patientuk