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St John reports increase in patients with breathing difficulties

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

ASTHMATICS are being urged to better manage their condition after St John Medical Centres reported an increase in visits from people suffering breathing difficulties.

With asthma affecting 10 per cent of Australians, St John’s general practice services head Tim Lipscombe said it was important for people to take notice of their symptoms and understand the best way to treat them.

“Symptoms include a cough, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness, and can vary in severity from person to person,” he said.

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“If not managed effectively, asthma symptoms can be severe in which case you should immediately call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

“This can also be the time of year when people with a predisposition to allergies and hay fever start to suffer symptoms which can sometimes be similar to those of a cold or flu.

“These symptoms can cause quite a degree of discomfort and interfere with your everyday activities, but the correct treatments can be effective in reducing these symptoms.

“You should seek advice from your doctor for treatments and medications that can relieve particular symptoms based on their severity.”

St John Medical Centres are at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City in Success, Armadale Central Shopping Centre in Armadale, the Primewest Building in Beckenham and Joondalup Gate in Edgewater.

Visit www.stjohnhealth.com.au to make an appointment.