In Australia, the treatment of asthma is guided by the National Asthma Council Australia's Asthma Management Handbook. The handbook provides evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of asthma in adults and children.
The mainstay of asthma treatment in Australia is the use of inhaled medications, including bronchodilators (blue asthma relivers) and corticosteroids (orange asthma preventers). These medications are used to open up the airways and reduce inflammation, respectively.
Bronchodilators such as salbutamol and terbutaline are used to relieve symptoms of asthma, while corticosteroids such as fluticasone and beclomethasone are used to reduce inflammation. Long-acting bronchodilators such as salmeterol and formoterol are also used to control symptoms and improve lung function.
In addition to medication, the National Asthma Council Australia recommends that people with asthma have a written asthma action plan, which outlines what to do in the event of an asthma attack. The plan should be developed in consultation with a healthcare provider and reviewed regularly.
Allergic rhinitis or sinusitis are also common in asthma patients and treating these conditions as well can improve asthma symptoms.
It's also important for people with asthma to avoid triggers that can worsen their symptoms, such as tobacco smoke, air pollution, and certain allergens.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), asthma is a significant health issue in Australia. In 2019, an estimated 2.7 million Australians (11% of the population) had asthma. From this 2.7 million Australians, 1 in 3 people with asthma have a written action plan and 1 in 3 people with asthma used asthma-related medication daily. Asthma is more common in children than adults, with 1 in 9 children and 1 in 11 adults having the condition. Females were more likely than males to have asthma (12.0% compared to 9.4%) and similar to boys and girls aged 0-14 years (9.5% and 7.9%).
The AIHW also reported that the rate of hospitalization due to asthma has been decreasing over the last decade, with a decrease of 35% between 2005-06 and 2015-16. However, asthma remains a leading cause of hospitalization in children, with over 9,500 hospitalizations in 2015-16.
According to the National Asthma Council Australia, socio-economic status, cultural background, and geographic location can all affect the prevalence of asthma and access to treatment. Indigenous Australians are more likely to have asthma and have higher rates of hospitalization than non-Indigenous Australians.
In terms of mortality, in 2019, Asthma caused by 1,800 deaths in Australia, which is around 3% of the total deaths.
Overall, asthma is a significant health issue in Australia, with a high prevalence and significant economic and social impacts. While there has been a decrease in hospitalization rates in recent years, asthma remains a leading cause of hospitalization in children and Indigenous Australians are disproportionately affected by the condition.
To learn more about triggers, signs and symptoms and treatment for an asthma attack head to the blog Asthma Attacks - What to do!