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An unexpected diagnosis in adulthood
Sundram had been living in the UK for about 10 years when he started having troubling hay fever symptoms.
Soon, Sundram noticed his breathing worsened when he got hay fever.
“If the hay fever was not managed, I ended up wheezing,” Sundram explained.
Eventually, when Sundram was about 30 years old, his doctor told him hay fever was triggering his asthma and Sundram was prescribed an inhaler.
How Sundram’s environment affects his asthma
Sundram has also learnt that where he lives and the environment around him can have a significant impact on his asthma.
“I was working at quite a stressful level. Every year, we would go away to Queensland for a two week or three week break. As soon as I crossed over from Victoria into Queensland, or New South Wales, my sneezing dropped, and my asthma challenges improved. Then I come back home to Victoria and the asthma, probably because of the pollen, comes back.”
Living with asthma means planning ahead
Asthma has influenced many aspects of Sundram’s life, from the activities he enjoys to the way he prepares for each day.
Sundram brings his inhaler and also a mask with him so he’s prepared in case his asthma flares up.
Why Sundram joined the Consumer Advisory Council
Sundram says joining Asthma Australia’s Consumer Advisory Council has given him the opportunity to better understand asthma, contribute to meaningful conversations and share what he’s learned with others, including his own family.
“Joining Asthma Australia on the Consumer Advisory Council has improved my knowledge about asthma,” Sundram said.
With Sundram’s daughter also diagnosed with asthma, he has made sure to keep her informed about the condition and its wide-ranging triggers.
Help people living with asthma breathe easier
Our Consumer Advisory Council members share their lived experience to help improve support for people with asthma. Your donation helps Asthma Australia provide information, support and advocacy for the nearly 2.8 million Australians living with asthma.
