Wearable device could help prevent asthma attacks

A new wearable device that can help detect and prevent oncoming asthma attacks has been developed by medical device company, Quvium.

CoughAware is a wearable device that is aimed at helping asthma sufferers, particularly children, deal with their condition. The device is worn around the neck and monitors the wearer, listening out for coughs. As a cough is the first sign of an impending asthma attack the device allows the wearer, parent or carer to act early and potentially prevent the attacks.

The device detects coughs that might be potential indicators of an asthma attack, it then sends out a text alert to the user or the carer’s mobile.  The data the device receives is then uploaded to an online database. As the ‘cough library’ grows and results become more accurate, Quvium hope to learn more about asthma.

CoughAware isn’t solely intended for sufferers of asthma. The device can be used for patients with cystic fibrosis and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In a case study using the CoughAware with children suffering from asthma, Quvium saw results that decreased the yearly number of times children missed days of school and visited the E.R.

8 million people have been diagnosed with asthma in the UK and the disease costs the NHS £1 billion per year. Figures show that around 1,200 asthma sufferers die every year, a figure that given the manageability of the disease, should be closer to zero.