Is Your Asthma Ready for Pollen Season?

Spring brings warmer weather, longer days and more time outdoors. For people with asthma or hay fever, it can also mean increased symptoms as pollen levels rise. With Asthma Week from 1st- 7th of September, now is a good time to check how well your asthma is controlled and prepare for pollen season.

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, affects around 1 in 4 Australians, while asthma affects around 1 in 10. The two conditions are closely linked, with around 80% of people with asthma also experiencing hay fever. Hay fever can make asthma harder to control, so managing your allergies is an important part of managing your asthma.

 Hay fever symptoms can include:

• A blocked or runny nose and sneezing

• Itchy or watery eyes

• Frequent throat clearing or coughing

• Snoring or mouth breathing

• Headaches or facial pressure

• Poor sleep, tiredness or difficulty concentrating

Asthma symptoms can include: 

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• shortness of breath or chest tightness

If you are regularly waking at night because of your symptoms, needing your reliever more often, avoiding exercise or finding your symptoms are becoming more frequent, it may be time for a review. Pollen can trigger both hay fever and asthma, so controlling your hay fever is also an important part of managing your asthma.

What Happens During an Asthma Review?

An asthma review is an opportunity to look at how your symptoms have been recently and make sure your treatment is still appropriate. Your GP may discuss your symptoms, medications and triggers, check your inhaler technique and review your Asthma Action Plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also have spirometry, a breathing test that measures how well your lungs are working.

If hay fever is contributing to your symptoms, your GP can discuss treatment options and whether allergy testing may be appropriate. Preparing your asthma management plan before  pollen levels rise can help you recognise changes in your symptoms and know what to do if your asthma becomes worse.

If asthma or hay fever is affecting your sleep, exercise or everyday life, don't wait for symptoms to become severe. Our GPs are experienced in asthma management, and our nursing team can assess your lung function. Book an appointment with our team to review your asthma and hay fever and make sure you are prepared for spring.