The key to any life improvement is knowledge – be aware of your environment, understand your rights and take positive steps towards change.

What can you do?

1. Learn how pollution can affect your health. Go to http://www.environment.sa.gov.au for more information on the environment.

2. Keep informed of when and where pollution is worse.  Go to http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/reporting/atmosphere/airindex_sum.html
for daily updates on air quality.

3. Take note of any changes in your breathing through the day, through the seasons and in different places. Keep a diary of these changes and look for patterns. Share these with your GP to help him or her understand your needs.

4. Plan your activities around the information you have about pollution. If you know it is a high pollution day and you have a respiratory condition, reduce your time outdoors and where possible keep your windows closed at home and work.

5. Listen to your body. If you sense you are struggling to breathe or if you have asthma symptoms in a particular environment, stop your activity and if possible find another one that is less demanding.

6. Take your respiratory medications as prescribed by your doctor and if you have asthma, keep your reliever medication on hand at all times. See your doctor regularly to ensure your medications are up to date.

7. Have your respiratory health checked by your doctor annually. Don’t let long periods of time lapse between visits. Changes in your health could mean changes to your lifestyle.

8. Have an allergy test to find out what you are allergic to. Your doctor will ask you questions to identify possible allergic triggers. Your diary will be important in this instance. Where necessary, if more details are required, you may be referred to an allergy specialist.

9. Know your triggers. The tips above will help you identify your triggers so you can ensure you avoid them.