text: With spring beginning this week, the National Asthma Council is calling on health professionals to prepare their practices and patients for the upcoming thunderstorm asthma season. National Asthma Week (September 1- 7) is the perfect time to remind patients to start taking preventative measures for the higher pollen counts and unexpected weather changes that could trigger asthma attacks.
  A study published in The Lancet in June 2018 found that people of Indian, Sri Lankan or southeast Asian ethnicity made up 39 per cent of hospital admissions related to Melbourne's unprecedented 2016 epidemic thunderstorm asthma event.
  "People with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis need to ensure that they proactively manage their symptoms. This includes having an up-to-date asthma action plan in place, prepared by their GPs. Those with poorly controlled asthma have the worst outcomes," said Professor Barnard. "There is also a need for patients to better understand their risks and how to protect themselves and others, including how to apply asthma first aid."
  The grass pollen season in Australia varies depending on where you live. The National Asthma Council website will share pollen forecasts from around the country from 1 October, when pollen season across southeast Australia commences.
  All the resources are available at the National Asthma Council Australia website www.nationalasthma.org.au
  In Australia, one in 10 adults and children have asthma. Around four out of five people with asthma also have allergies, such as pollen-related hay fever.