The season of florals, pollen and thunderstorms is upon us and with it comes an increase in air pollution, allergies and asthma – a condition that affects one in nine Australians and can have irreversible consequences if left untreated.

You may never have been properly informed of the potential severity of the disease but understanding the triggers and symptoms could save your life, or the life of someone close to you.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that inflames and narrows the airways causing breathing difficulties. More often than not, asthma develops in early childhood but the disease can of course, occur at any age.

So are you at risk? Read on.

Anyone can be diagnosed with asthma at all stages life but women are the most likely to experience persistent symptoms after the age of 20. The first signs are often coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and trouble breathing and can occur due to infection (from colds and flus), exercise, allergens and air pollution.

Obesity can also be a cause of adult asthma but research shows 30% is triggered by allergies including seasonal (hello spring), exposure to irritants, dust, mould or reactions to animals. Fluctuations in hormones can be a contributing factor for women, as can pregnancy and menopause.

Spotting early signs and symptoms is the most important factor in treating asthma and of course, there are a few major ones to look out for. Breathlessness, wheezing, tightness in the chest and continuous coughing are the major ones. Symptoms occur most often at night, early in the morning or during and just after activity.

Colds that move into the chest that seem worse than usual, or persist for longer than 10 days also need to be monitored closely.

It’s also true that a person’s asthma symptoms can vary over time. Sometimes people with asthma will have no symptoms, especially when their asthma is well controlled. Sufferers may have all of these symptoms, or only a few, and they may come and go.

Symptoms can be controlled of course, or they can be very serious. But with the right management, people with asthma continue to live normal, spring-loving lives.

If you suspect you might have asthma or should symptoms arise in the future, it’s imperative you see a doctor immediately. The sooner you can get it under control the better.

While asthma is obviously not a direct result of spring and the change of season, symptoms can flare up more dramatically at this time.

Awareness is the key to both prevention and enjoying the magic that is a Gold Coast spring.

Words by Kirra Smith

STORY SPONSORED BY CHEMPRO

Did you know there are over 85,000 Australian women living in poverty? Which can also mean they are homeless and without the basic day to day luxuries so many of us take for granted.

The reasons for this are many and varied; domestic violence, loss of work, any number of things that have happened throughout their lives they didn’t have control over. Any number of things that could also have happened to any one of us.

The Gold Coast isn’t exempt either – although poverty and homelessness may not be something you come face to face with on a daily basis, it’s happening and we’re here today to talk about how each of us can help.

Share the Dignity are a local not-for-profit organisation that collect thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products for women experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Their ethos focuses on making a real, on-the-ground difference to homeless women and victims of domestic violence and that is something we can wholeheartedly get behind.

So what can we do? It’s simple really. Next time you purchase sanitary items, just grab a few extra and donate them to women who will be more grateful than we could ever imagine for something most of us have probably never thought twice about purchasing.

This August (how is it August already?), Share the Dignity asks the public to donate at collection points throughout the country and the Gold Coast collection point is conveniently at one of the 90+ Chempro Chemist stores.

At the end of the month, they donate thousands of packets of sanitary products to their partner charities. Each packet of pads and tampons, menstrual cups or online donation that you contribute makes a real difference for a woman in need in your community.

Imagine if someone you loved were in the position of not having access to a basic female need, you’d want to do everything you could to help out right?

Well, each of these women are someone’s daughter and possibly someone’s sister and mother and there’s nothing more incredible than people coming together to help those in need.

Next time you’re at the shops, purchase an extra pack (or two) of sanitary items and pop them in the Pink Collection Box at your local Chempro Chemist during the Dignity Drive.

Your donation is vital and of course, very much appreciated both by Share the Dignity and the women in need.

Should you not be able to get to a collection point, you can also donate online with the money donated to Share the Dignity’s partner charities.

We’ll do our part to help too.

Let’s stand together for women exactly like us who need a helping hand. It’s the least we can do.

SPONSORED BY CHEMPRO CHEMISTS

Words by Kirra Smith

Takeaway could well be the greatest thing ever invented and if wasn’t so bad for you, you’d probably get it every day right? WELL GUESS WHAT! According to this very article, takeaway food doesn’t have to be bad for you and that could be the greatest news ever not invented.

Here’s a list of the top 9 restaurants offering healthy takeaway options. Happy days.

Raw Energy, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads
Located on the corner of Marine Parade in Coolangatta is Raw Energy, a healthy food and lifestyle café that started on the Sunshine Coast. Their focus is on fresh food, served fast in a funky environment. Raw Energy’s got you covered, offering anything from healthy smoothies or juices to macadamia and lentil burgers, YUMM!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

The Pocket
If you haven’t been there yet, put this one on your ‘to do’ list! The Pocket in Burleigh’s Connor Street is an absolute favourite amongst locals and offers a great range of healthy take away options (with an extensive vegetarian/gluten free menu). The Pocket aims to be a conscientious restaurant serving locally sourced, wholesome food, often using produce grown by owners David and Michelle.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Marie Anita’s Gluten Free Health Cafe
Marie Anita’s offers a solely gluten free and sugar free menu designed to provide dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and raw alternatives. With the aim to source from local suppliers and to use as much organic produce as possible, Marie Anita’s challenges the image of healthy eating.
Where: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
A personal favorite is Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, the holy grail of all healthy food. With the motto ‘anything you can do, we can do vegan’ they’re onto something, because they are busy every day of the week. But not to worry, they do take away, too! All produce are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmer’s markets – food is medicine and it should nourish the mind, body and soul. Amen!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami and 1/140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe (Biscuit) was founded with the belief that people care about their health. They just needed the right place to deliver these health options in an indulgent and accessible manner.
All products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscious. Made from high quality plants and free from refined sugar and anything artificial. All products are hand crafted with love using traditional methods busting the myth Vegan and Paleo products can’t be delicious as well as nutritious.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach

The Shack Superfood Cafe
The name says it all, the Shack Superfood Café in Nobby’s is a health freaks paradise with real and fresh food that tastes great and is nutritious! On offer is quinoa, acai, smoothies and juices, breakfast, takeaway lunch and dinner boxes, plus tea and coffee. If you are looking for a hassle free, convenient and easy takeaway option look no further and go give the team at the Shack a visit.
Where: 2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach 

Cardamom Pod
Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach is a vegetarian and plant-based restaurant inspired by the art of creative and tasty cuisine. With an extensive salad bar and delicious hot meal options such as curries or lasagne, Cardamom Pod is the perfect place to get some tasty and healthy takeaway, and word on the street is there are opening one in Brickworks! But be warned, their desserts are out of this world, especially the raw peanut butter cups.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Govindas
Govindas is without a doubt one of the most popular vegetarian, eco-friendly take-away restaurants on the Gold Coast. They offer a variety of pure vegetarian foods (vegan and gluten free options available) including vegetable dishes, basmati rice, dhal, potato bake, samosas and a variety of salads, desserts and drinks. Veggies are sourced locally and all dishes are prepared daily using the freshest produce. The buffet style approach lets customer create their own meal at reasonable prices. YUM.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads

Giri Kana Cafe
The Giri Kana Cafe is a fresh take on vegan and vegetarian food, with a wide selection of freshly made vegan / vegetarian items (many organic and gluten free options also), including an extensive dessert menu. Their emphasis is on fresh and wholesome foods, which are good for the body, as well as the mind and spirit – and to this end, food is cooked with love and devotion. Try one of their signature tofu or vegie burgers served on turkish bread or as a gluten free option the Open Burger on rice. All so good!
Where: Cnr of Nind St and Gold Coast Highway, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith