Latest news with #AsthmaSociety
Irish Daily Mirror
3 minutes ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Asthma Society urges action in Budget to address affordability of medication
A quarter of asthma patients have skipped essential medication due to financial pressure in the last three months, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland. Ireland has one of the highest asthma rates globally, with 450,000 people affected — the fourth highest per capita rate in the world. Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month, and mortality and hospitalisation rates remain significantly higher than EU averages, with half of those with asthma showing signs of poor asthma control. New survey data from the organisation shows that 24 per cent of respondents reported going without asthma medication at least once in the past three months because they couldn't afford it. The Asthma Society is now urging the government to take decisive action in Budget 2026 to address the affordability crisis impacting people with asthma. Further data shows more than half (56 per cent) experienced difficulties making ends meet, with a quarter of respondents (25 per cent) going into arrears on mortgage or rental payments, utility bills, hire purchase or other loan payments at least once over the previous 12 months. Launching its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, Backing Every Breath, Building Better Care, the Asthma Society of Ireland is seeking urgent investment in three priority areas — affordable medication, expanded asthma care services and staffing, and targeted home energy upgrades to improve indoor air quality for people with asthma. 'The survey finding that so many people with asthma are having it difficult to make ends meet is, unfortunately, a surprise to no one in the asthma community,' said Eilís Ní Chaithnía, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland. 'Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month. 'With a combination of targeted investment and taxation measures, we can bring asthma under control, reduce exacerbations, hospitalisations and preventable deaths, and improve quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland. But it will also require political will. 'An overwhelming majority (96 per cent) of those who responded to our survey said that they want the Government to take action in the upcoming Budget to reduce the financial burden of asthma on households. 'Simply put, they need this Government to make sure that they can take their asthma medications as prescribed, access specialist and diagnostic care when they need it, and live in homes that don't make them sick,' Ms Ní Chaithnía continued. Case Study Emily Smyth, 33, was diagnosed with severe asthma in her early 20s. Originally from Ballsbridge in Dublin, Emily experienced an episode of acute shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. A GP confirmed it was an asthma attack and referred her to a respiratory consultant. 'Today I am on biologic therapy, two daily inhalers and regular antibiotics,' Emily said. She believes that patients have enough to cope with, without adding the unnecessary worry of not being able to afford medication: 'Managing asthma can be difficult and it can impact your life in so many ways,' said Emily. 'Medications enable us to manage symptoms and to live our lives. That's why it's so vital that the cost of treatment be addressed. 'Over 60 per cent of people in the Asthma Society's survey supported universal subsidisation of asthma medications, something I completely agree with," Emily said. 'As a healthcare professional myself, I'm also passionate about the need for specialist care for asthma. 'I'm extremely lucky to be under the wing of a severe asthma clinic team and the care that I have received has been truly incredible and has transformed my asthma management. An inhaler used for treating asthma (stock image) (Image: PA) 'Knowing that you have a team supporting you, who will ensure that you get the highest standard of care and specialist education is so important. 'However, access should not depend on where you live or be a 'postcode lottery'. 'Expanding specialist and diagnostic care would significantly improve the lives of people with asthma,' said Emily. Key Budget Asks The submission includes detailed costings and proposals to: Phase in subsidisation of asthma medication, prioritising combination and preventer inhalers (€14 million in Budget 2026). Reduce the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold by €8 and abolish prescription charges for medical card holders (combined cost of €84.5 million). Fund a national Severe Asthma Registry (€500,000), recruit an Advanced Nurse Practitioner to every severe asthma clinic and reopen unfilled posts for Respiratory Physiologists around the country. Expand the Warmer Homes Scheme, to provide free home energy upgrades for people with chronic respiratory conditions at risk of energy poverty (€29.5 million). Invest in primary prevention through smoking cessation programmes (€29.05 million) and targeted vaccination. For more information on the supports and services offered by the Asthma Society of Ireland, visit or call the Asthma Adviceline to speak to an asthma specialist nurse or physio on Freefone 1800 44 54 64 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Suffering from hayfever? 12 tips on how to make life easier this week
The current pollen forecast in Ireland is predicting 'M' (moderate) levels of tree pollen in the coming days, nationwide. Grass, nettle and weed pollen can be expected in particularly high levels during warm weather, and temperatures are set to hit 25C and above this week. This week, there are medium to high concentrations for grass pollen and medium to high nettle and weed pollen expected. Regarding spores, there are moderate to high levels of Cladosporium and Alternaria expected on the drier days with Ascospores and Basidiospores during the days of higher humidity. And for tree pollen, sufferers can note that Cypress and Birch are present this week primarily with Pine, and Poplar and Yew pollen are also present but in low levels. A combination of medical and lifestyle advice can help people manage hay fever symptoms. Ruth Morrow, a respiratory nurse specialist at the Asthma Society offered the following practical tips: Keep doors and windows closed when the pollen count is high. Avoid exercising outside when the pollen count is high, and wear a cycle mask when cycling. Shower, wash your hair and change your clothes if you have been outdoors for an extended period. Wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes, and splash your eyes with cold water to flush out pollen and soothe them. Avoid drying clothes outdoors because pollen spores may cling to them. Try to stay away from grassy areas and avoid mowing the lawn, as clouds of pollen can be created. Consider creating an allergy-friendly garden. Minimise contact with pets that have been outside, as pollen can linger on their fur. Keep your car windows closed when driving. Some cars can be fitted with a pollen filter. Apply a barrier gel/spray to the nostrils to prevent pollen from settling in the nose. If drying clothes outdoors, shake clothes to remove pollen spores before bringing them indoors and to put them in the airing cupboard before use. Discuss the use of treatments for hay fever with your pharmacist or GP. For those with asthma, make sure you have a personalised Asthma Action Plan. An Asthma Action Plan sets out the steps each patient needs to take to stay well with asthma and how to manage flare-ups when they happen. It should be filled out by a GP, nurse or consultant and reviewed regularly. These are available from your healthcare professional or can be downloaded from .
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Peak hay fever season: How to protect yourself amid rising pollen
We are in the depths of hay fever season , which typically runs from January and September. Across the country, pollen counts are rising, noses are running and eyes are watering. One in five people people in Ireland suffers from hay fever, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland. Even if you have never had it before, you are not immune from the itchy eyes, frequent sneezing and headaches that high pollen levels can bring. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, which tracks atmospheric changes for the European Union, has reported that pollen levels were so high across Europe this spring, that even those who never suffered from allergies before have felt the effects this year. READ MORE Dr David O'Connor, assistant professor at the school of chemical sciences in Dublin City University, says climate change has a role to play. [ Sufferers face more severe symptoms due to agricultural fertilisers Opens in new window ] When temperatures rise, plants start to grow earlier, meaning they release pollen earlier in the year than usual, increasing our likelihood of being exposed to it. Poorer air quality has an impact too, especially in urban areas. 'Pollen and air quality are kind of interlinked,' he said. This can exacerbate pollen's effects, making our allergy symptoms worse. Dr O'Connor notes that, although 'your personal threshold' for pollen may never have been exceeded in the past, increasing pollen levels mean you may begin to experience hay fever symptoms. Whether you are experiencing symptoms for the first time, or consider yourself a hay fever veteran, here are some tips to help you cope this summer. Plan ahead Met Éireann delivers a daily pollen forecast service on its website, which projects pollen levels for the next three days. On days when pollen levels are high, Dr O'Connor advises people to take an antihistamine before they go to bed, so they are prepared for the pollen levels the next day. Barriers, barriers, barriers Similar to how you would protect yourself from the sun, you can implement barriers to protect yourself from pollen too. Dr Simon Bull of Allergy Ireland notes that wraparound sunglasses 'literally will block out the pollen and stop your eyes from itching'. This is important, as itching your eyes can cause more pollen to enter your system from your fingers. The HSE advises that putting Vaseline around your nostrils can help trap pollen from entering your nose. If you want to block it even further, 'masks do a fantastic job of stopping pollen from getting into your nose or mouth', Dr O'Connor notes. Keep your home pollen free After spending a day outside during peak hay fever season, you can be 'literally coated in pollen', Dr Bull says. When you return home, take a shower and change your clothes. When washing those clothes, it is best to avoid drying them outside, as pollen will only fall on them again. Dr O'Connor advises that, if you are feeling hay fever symptoms badly, you should try to dry your clothes in a dryer. When the pollen count is high, keep the windows and doors of your home closed, especially your bedroom. Dr Bull notes that when pollen enters a bedroom, it can fall on bedsheets and pillow cases, meaning you can be 'directly inhaling it' as you sleep. As lovely as they may be, if you suffer from hay fever symptoms, try to avoid keeping fresh flowers in the house. Try some over-the-counter medications Dr Bull recommends trying a non-sedating antihistamine as the most basic measure to treat your symptoms. Gentle steroid nasal sprays can provide relief from a runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Eye drops can help soothe itching, redness and eye watering triggered by pollen. If you're really struggling, there are long-term solutions If over-the-counter measures are not cutting it, there are long-term measures available for patients with aggressive hay fever. Dr Bull notes that a desensitisation treatment can be prescribed by GPs, which involves taking a small dose of pollen in tablet form for three years to build up a tolerance. 'It's relatively expensive', he says, but is on the drug payment scheme which caps spending on approved drugs and medicines at a maximum of €80 per month.
