P724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:14/22 I I 1/6 AS(HMA: GETTING YOUR BREATH BACK The National Asthma Campaign has launched a manifesto demanding rights for people with asthma. Part of Asthma Week 4-10 October, the Manifesto includes demands for: Regular two-way communication with doctors, advice on self-management of asthma, trained professionals to review self-management, guaranteed referral to hospital and emergency treatment when necessary, adequate research into asthma, smoke free air, and equal opportunities. Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Rbdio ContactsP724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:19/19 I 2/6 ASTHMA: GETTING YOUR BREATH BACK During Asthma Week 4-10 October the National Asthma Campaign launcher details of a "revolutionary" treatment system for asthma. The 'Self Management Plan' involves helping patients to understand and hence control their own symptoms - in New Zealand where asthma is a major problem the system reduced visits to an emergency department from 58 to 15 per cent of patients. Each person's Plan is developed in conjunction with a doctor or nurse. Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Rbdio ContactsP724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:15/52 3/6 ASTHMA: GETTING YOUR BREATH B—CK Forty six thousand swimmers take the plunge during Asthma Week 4-10 October to help raise a targeted £100,000 for research into asthma. Launching the week on 4 October a giant pair of lungs does battle at Waterloo Station, London, against asthmatic assailants like dust mites, cigarettes, pets and pollen. "5 It's all in the name of fundraising for the National Asthma Campaign's research, advice and information service (Helpline 0345 010203). Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Radio ContactsP724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:04/47 I 4/6 ASTHMA: GETTING YOU5 BREATH BACK Around seven million working days were lost in 1987/88 bjcausj of asthma - this cost an estimated £60 million in sickness benefit and £400 million to the NHS. A survey of over 60,000 people with asthma found asthma restricted the daily activities of 76 per cent and 5) per cent were woken by symptoms at least once a week. Asthma causes 100,000 hospital admissions each year,prescriptions have doubled in 10 years. Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Radio ContactsP724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:17/22 5/6 AS(HMA: GETTING YOU5 BREATH BACK $5 When people develop asthma the air passages in their lungs become almost chronically inflamed. They are sensitive to various triggers like smoke and dust which causes the lining of the passages to swell and tighten so causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath - waking at night or needing $5 more medication can indicate that the condition is worsening. Environmental factors may bj causing more cases of asthma. Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Radio ContactsP724 CEEFAX 724 Thu 7 Oct 21:19/13 I 6/6 ASTHMA: GETTING YOUR BREATH B—CK Many people with asthma find that their symptoms - which can cause severe discomfort and even death - are not taken seriously knough. "5 Treatments are expensive, smokers insensitive, and health professionals can often show a lack of understanding. The National Asthma Campaign spends roughly twice as much as the govjrnmjnt on research for asthma which still has no known cure - to support the campaign see p729. Contacts: page 729 Disabled TV/Radio Contacts