Asthma Physiotherapy in
Margarita Gurevich
A
sthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions, with the epidemiological prevalence in Australia being one of the highest in the world according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It affects 1 in 9 Australians and has a
higher incidence in the female population. Statistics show that asthma is more common in males aged 0 – 14, however among those aged 15 and over, asthma is more common in females. While asthma is not a major cause of death, it is one of the most common problems managed by doctors and is a frequent reason for the hospitalisation of children, especially boys. In 2000-01, health system expenditure on asthma was about $693 million, with more than 50% spent on pharmaceuticals.
Common symptoms include the following: • breathlessness • wheezing • a tight feeling in the chest • continuing cough So, what can be done about it? Although asthma cannot be cured, with the right treatment it can be often successfully
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managed and controlled. The type of treatment will depend on the severity of asthma but generally involves rescue inhalers to treat symptoms and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms. Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways open, as well as oral steroids. Besides the above-mentioned options there are also several evidence-based and SUBSCRIBE
