THERE ARE around 5.4 million people in the UK alone that have been diagnosed with asthma. Every 10 seconds, there is an asthma sufferer somewhere that is experiencing a potential fatal attack and an average of three people in the UK die every day from it.
Technological advances in the form of a new smartphone app may, in future, come to the aid of sufferers to stay away from areas that can increase their exposure to the causes of the condition.
Called ‘MyAsthma’, the free app tracks the location of the user and provides vital information on local weather conditions and the all-important pollen count – both of which can easily trigger wheezing and breathing difficulties. Another aspect of the app allows the user to track their previous attacks and to control their medication.
Chief Executive of Asthma UK, Kay Boycott, said: “New technologies offer great hope for people with asthma to help manage their symptoms and monitor their health. Just like every other part of our lives, the use of technology to help people with asthma ensure they are taking their medication as prescribed is likely to become the norm. With the support of doctors, new technologies could support people to seek help when their asthma is not under control.”
The app has been created by GlaxoSmithKline and is the first pharma-supported service of its kind available as an app. It won the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards 2017 which were created to promote awareness of health technology.
Other winners at the recent awards ceremony included a finger prick blood test monitor that allows chemotherapy patients to monitor their treatment.