Welcome to our Winter 2011 talkasthma e-newsletter

Even though we have enjoyed one of the warmest Novembers recorded – we are obviously heading towards the colder weather .  We hope that you are finding ways to manage your asthma and have included some reminders as to the most common winter asthma triggers.

We are really excited that over recent months there have been many developments to the talksites and we hope that you have had an opportunity to either participate or look at our Online clinics on.... series which is run in collaboration with NHS Choices.    We were recently asked by PME (Pharmaceutical Marketing Europe) to write a feature on the success of the clinics and how beneficial they have been to the NHS.  Our next clinic is an ‘Online clinic on Prostate Disease’ which opens next Thursday 25th November.

Recently we launched a ‘talkhealth talk’ forum which is a place for you to air your thoughts and views on the most up to date health issues in the UK.  Daily the leading health stories are discussed and we welcome your opinions along with any other health issues that you feel passionately about and feel something needs to be done. 

Keeping on the topic of forums, we are in the process of opening up a whole array of new ones from diabetes, to dementia, back pain, weight and sixty+ to name a few.  These new forums will be the forerunners to new talk sites that we will be opening over the next 12-18 months.  If there is a particular forum/topic that you would like to see covered (or even a talkhealth site) which isn’t featured on the ‘talkhealth board index’ please do get in touch.

Best wishes
the talkhealth team

P.S. Don’t forget to look at our free samples and offers page which is regularly updated and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Indoor Allergy Week – runs from 14th to 20th November and further information can be found at www.allergyuk.org
 

Winter asthma triggers

Winter and cold air can be a major trigger of asthma.  Many people with asthma find that when they inhale cold, dry air they develop wheezing and become short of breath.  Also those that suffer with exercise-induced asthma should be especially careful about exposure to cold, dry air.  It is therefore important to pre-medicate before beginning activities that cause asthma symptoms to worsen.

Various steps can be taken to avoid winter asthma flare-ups and some of these are noted below:

• Wear a scarf or mask over nose and mouth
• Exercise indoors on days when the air is particularly cold and dry
• Try and play winter sports indoors i.e. ice skating, hockey and when running try and find an indoor track.
• Use medication appropriately, and before beginning exercise
• Keep quick-relief rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place
• Stay indoors on especially windy, cold days
• Drink plenty of liquids before and after exercise to prevent drying of the airways.

We are sure that you will also have your own hot tips and tricks for coping, so please do share these with others by adding to the list which you will find in our talkhealth blog......