Asthma. We’ll help save your breath.
Think of the word asthma, and a colourful inhaler comes to mind. No surprise, when about 1 in 9 people in Australia have the condition – one of the highest rates in the world. With every breath you take, HealthMatch is here for you. Find a clinical trial today.
Asthma Clinical Trials
A long-term, complex lung condition affecting the airways, everyone experiences asthma differently. There are several different types – allergic, non-allergic, occupational, exercise-induced, and nocturnal – and multiple symptoms.
When exposed to certain triggers, sensitive airways narrow and people experience episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Flare-ups can rapidly occur within minutes, or slowly develop over hours, days or even weeks. If not treated, they can become serious and require emergency hospitalisation.
Looking for how to help someone with asthma? At HealthMatch, we’re bringing forward tomorrow’s treatments. We have 3 trials available for asthma, including ones aimed at biological therapy.
“It’s scary not knowing when your airways might suddenly close up. It feels like your lungs are failing you.” Luke, 21
3 million
Australians have asthma ¹
1.9
is the amount of times Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are likely to have asthma than their non-Indigenous counterparts ²
38,792
Australians were hospitalised because of asthma in 2017-18 ³
Partner
Asthma Australia
Asthma Australia has been finding ways for people living with asthma to live the best life they can since 1962. They work with health professionals, researchers and governments to deliver evidence-based prevention and health strategies for those with the condition.
Asthma Australia finds the best treatments and practices for people affected. They also provide education and training. Our Partnership: Asthma Australia has partnered with HealthMatch to provide members with easy access to the latest clinical trials being conducted throughout Australia.
Resources
Asthma Training Courses
Asthma Australia offers quality accredited and non-accredited training to public and health professionals, online and in-person, for schools, workplaces, sports clubs, professionals, and more.
Kiss myAsthma
Available on Google Play and the App Store, Kiss myAsthma is an app created by young people, for young people. Users can track their symptoms, access their action plan, learn about their condition and set goals to make change.
FAQ
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition, where the airways to the lungs are affected, following exposure to triggers.
Airways may tighten up – a thin layer of muscle contracts, making the airway narrower. Airways may thicken up, and lining of the tubes may get swollen and inflamed. Airways may also fill up, getting blocked by mucus. All of these may happen at the same time. These changes to the airways cause significant breathing difficulties.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms include wheezing; coughing; feeling breathless; a tight chest and more. When symptoms get significantly worse, this is known as an asthma attack.
Signs of an attack include being unable to speak a full sentence; sitting hunched forward; gasping for breath, lethargic or drowsy behaviour, and in life-threatening situations, skin discoloration.
How do you treat asthma?
There is a range of ways for people to manage and control their symptoms.
The most common types of treatment are preventers and relievers. Preventers, a type of anti-inflammatory, improve asthma control. Relievers are fast-acting and relax the muscles around the airways allowing for more airflow.
Talking to your doctor or relevant health professional to set up an Asthma Action Plan, as well as avoiding triggers, is also essential for managing the condition.
Is there a cure for asthma?
There currently is no cure for the condition, but it can be managed. Some children with mild symptoms may find that the symptoms disappear later in life.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study involving patient or non-patient (healthy) human volunteers. They help determine whether medicines are safe and effective to introduce as new treatments for a particular disease or condition.
How do I select a clinical trial?
HealthMatch matches you to clinical trials, in an easy-to-understand process.
After completing a medical questionnaire, our platform searches for and filters eligible trials for you. You’re able to view matches and apply for trials, on your trial dashboard.
We’ll put you in direct contact with the trial group once you’ve been accepted. We won’t stop searching until we’ve found you the right match.
Find an Asthma Clinical Trial Today
1 Asthma Australia, What is asthma?
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Asthma
3 Asthma Australia, Asthma statistics