Latest news with #AsthmaSocietyofIreland
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Working Life: Biologics have been a game-changer for some patients with asthma
Professor Patrick Mitchell, respiratory consultant physician at Tallaght University Hospital and Trinity College Dublin 'I was fairly agnostic early on in my medical training and wasn't sure what I wanted to specialise in, but I was always interested in infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases and physiology, which the area of lung diseases lends itself to. 'What really interested me about respiratory medicine is that it deals with both the acute and chronic side. 'You have patients with acute respiratory failure, which is the emergency side, as well as patients with long-lasting conditions who need help managing their disease. 'I specialise in the severe asthma sphere. The arrival of biologics has been a game-changer for some of my patients with severe asthma. People have gone from not being able to work or exercise, or participate in life, to being able to do all those things. 'One of the most satisfying parts of my job is when a patient who has started a new treatment tells me, 'This has massively improved my quality of life'. 'Covid had a huge impact, especially working as a lung doctor in Canada where we were when it kicked off. My mum passed away when we were abroad, and watching her funeral over Zoom was really tough as we weren't able to travel home to Ireland. I understand the rationale behind the travel restrictions, but it was still really tough. 'One of my chief bugbears as a doctor is the lack of an integrated national electronic patient healthcare record system. I consider it a public health emergency. 'It would enhance patient care greatly if every practitioner could access patients' medical records. Our wait lists would drop, efficiency in the system would improve exponentially, and the cost of care would decrease. 'As an academic consultant, I work 50% of the time for Trinity College Dublin. I'm a medical advisor to the Asthma Society of Ireland, and supporter of its Active for Asthma campaign, which encourages people with asthma to safely incorporate physical activity into their lives — it's a superb initiative. 'I love a lot of what I do, but it can be hard to switch off from the job. I enjoy downtime with family — my wife Claire, a GP, and our three kids, Anna, 11, Laura, 9, and Ben, 7. 'I also love being back in Ireland — it's home.' It's Asthma Awareness Week. See:
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The sign of major condition that you might notice when exercising – and it can be fatal
HEALTH chiefs have issued an important alert over a common lung condition that's 'often misunderstood'. The condition, which affects your ability to breathe, usually starts in childhood but it can begin at any age. 2 Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in Ireland Credit: Getty Marking World Asthma Day this week, the 'This might mean difficulties breathing from time to time, or breathing problems most of the time.' The People with asthma are at risk of having a severe asthma attack. READ MORE ON HEALTH Ireland has one of the highest asthma rates in the world, affecting one in 10 people, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland. Some 450,000 people in Ireland have asthma but many remain unsure where to turn for guidance. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and experiencing a tight chest feeling. HSE ADVICE THE cause is more likely to be asthma if the symptoms: happen often and keep coming back are worse at night and early in the morning happen in response to an asthma trigger such as exercise or an allergy change with the seasons - for example, they are worse in the summer or winter See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma. We are still learning about the causes of asthma. But you may be at more risk of asthma if you: Most read in Health have a parent or sibling with asthma have other allergic conditions, such as eczema had a severe respiratory infection as a child are exposed to dust or certain chemicals at your work have overweight or are exposed to air pollution CEO of the Asthma Society, Eilis Ni Chaithnia, warned that asthma can be 'unpredictable' and 'frightening' at times. How to spot asthma in your child and signs of an asthma attack She said: 'For too long, there has been a misconception that asthma and physical activity don't mix. 'And if you've ever been left gasping for breath — or even hospitalised — from exercise, it's only natural to fear doing it again. 'But the evidence is clear: regular movement, done safely, strengthens your lungs, reduces inflammation, and can alleviate the mental toll of having a chronic disease.' The group have just launched a free service on their Adviceline connecting people with a Senior Physiotherapist. Olympian and asthma ambassador Derval O'Rourke, who has lived with asthma throughout her career, admitted she has second-guessed herself before training. She said: 'But I also know that staying active has helped me manage my asthma, not worsen it. 'This campaign is about empowering people — whether you're walking around the block or aiming for a marathon, the support is there.' Respiratory Consultant at Tallaght University Hospital and Trinity College, Professor Patrick Mitchell said that asthma is 'one of the most common chronic conditions in Ireland, yet it's often misunderstood'. He explained: 'People with asthma should be able to participate fully in exercise — even competitive sport — with proper management. 'If symptoms appear during or after exercise, it may be a sign that the asthma is not well controlled, not that activity should be avoided. 'We know that regular activity, done safely, can actually reduce symptoms and improve lung function. "That's why the right education, support and treatment are so important.' For more information visit 2 Over 450,000 people in Ireland have asthma Credit: Getty
