How big a problem are allergies in Australia?

Allergic disease is one of the most common and fastest-growing medical problems in Australia. By some estimates more than one in three people in the ACT and NSW will experience problems with uncontrolled allergies at some point in their lives, and these figures are higher every year. 

A common misconception is that allergies are minor health problems, rather than life-threatening. While that’s true for some lucky people, we know that the risk of food-induced anaphylaxis has more than doubled over the last ten years. We also know that hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have increased by more than 400% since the year 2000, and that an infant born today in our communities has more than a 10% chance of an immediate or severe food allergy. Most allergic diseases are chronic, persistent conditions which can significantly compromise quality of life and may lead to permanent complications, including damage to lungs and other body organs.

Less urgently life-threatening conditions, like allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and conjunctivitis, (which often show up as a runny nose, ‘full’ head, cough and itchy or watery eyes), have significant impacts on people’s lives and wellbeing. The ~20% of the population who report these diseases lose days off work, time with their families and opportunities for enjoyment every year. They are more than three times more likely to have asthma, less likely to participate in sport and outdoor activities, and new research shows they’re also at increased risk of sleep disordered breathing, a condition which brings long term risk for heart disease and obesity in adults and missed school days, behavioural problems, impaired memory and concentration in children.

In 2005, allergic diseases were estimated to cost Australians more than $30 billion per year – with more than $20 billion in costs due to disability and premature death. In short, these are very serious problems.

The good news is that we can help! Most allergic diseases can be significantly improved with timely access to appropriate care. Early detection, prevention and control of allergic disease allows most allergy sufferers to lead happy, productive and fulfilling lives. Give us a call today or book online here and let’s work together to help you live better!

References:

https://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/reports/ASCIA_Allergy_in_Australia_2014_NHPA__Submission.pdf

Koinis-Mitchell, D., Craig, T., Esteban, C. A., & Klein, R. B. (2012). Sleep and allergic disease: a summary of the literature and future directions for research. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 130(6), 1275–1281.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2012.06.026

Halbower, A. C., Degaonkar, M., Barker, P. B., Earley, C. J., Marcus, C. L., Smith, P. L., Prahme, M. C., & Mahone, E. M. (2006). Childhood obstructive sleep apnea associates with neuropsychological deficits and neuronal brain injury. PLoS medicine, 3(8), e301.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030301

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