‘Breathe Better September’ highlights the issues surrounding asthma and respiratory disease and raises awareness of the symptoms and triggers of asthma.
Members of the Te Hiku Hauora Mobile Nursing Team, along with over 180 of the wonderful students and staff at Paparore School, took part in an interactive presentation designed to highlight the ongoing situation within the Far North community in regard to the issues surrounding asthma and its impact upon the lives of our tamariki and whanau.
Te Hiku Hauora Registered Nurse Marlene Sexton, presented an informative education session to bring awareness and understanding of asthma. The interactive presentation showed the impact that asthma has upon the students, how they can recognize the symptoms and how best to deal with a situation when they come across somebody having an asthma attack. The students learnt about the causes and preventative measures that can be taken. At the end of the presentation the students were very well versed in the basic fundamentals of asthma care and actions to be undertaken if they came across such an event.
Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing and is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.
As the changing of seasons is upon us, the prevalence of asthma problems is heightened with raised pollen counts and cold damp weather. The utilisation of preventer medication should be adhered to and reliever medication taken as required. Diet of fresh vegetables and fruit helps reduce asthma problems and latest research has demonstrated that boysenberry reduces airway inflammation.
If you or your whanau have any questions or concerns please contact the asthma/respiratory nurse at Te Hiku Hauora or your GP clinic and they will gladly provide information and advice for you and your whanau to help you stay symptom free.
For more information please visit: www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz
