Helping Your Teen Manage Asthma
Helping Your Teen Manage Asthma
Having
asthma isn't easy—and for most kids, neither is being a teen. You can help your teen
with
information and support.
Providing support and information
-
Make sure your teen understands they are not
alone. Asthma is a common condition among children and teens in the U.S. According
to the CDC, more than 2 in 25 U.S. children age 5 to 17 years old have
asthma.
-
Asthma management can be disruptive. But try to
keep things as normal as possible.
-
Your teen may not believe or understand how
serious flare-ups can be. Talk about what can actually happen. Make sure you also
discuss your teen's fears. Be honest but provide reassurance. And make sure they
understand that, with good management, most flare-ups can be prevented.
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Let your child help prepare and update their
Asthma Action Plan. Your child should work with a healthcare provider as much as
possible to do this. Your teen should always take their Asthma Action Plan to each
visit with a healthcare provider for a review or updates, if needed. Make sure
your teen knows the following:
-
What triggers their asthma symptoms. Your
teen should also start to take responsibility for staying away from
triggers.
-
How to watch for changing symptoms. This
might be using a peak-flow meter or by watching closely for early
symptoms.
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What to do if symptoms start to worsen.
And what to do if symptoms become severe.
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The importance of taking controller
medicines as instructed. These medicines are usually taken even when your
teen feels well. Discuss with your child's healthcare provider the correct
medicines they should use to control their asthma.
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To stay away from tobacco products,
e-cigarettes or similar devices, and secondhand smoke.
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Ask your child how much support they want from you. Then let the healthcare
provider help decide how much freedom is appropriate and safe. Let your teen know
that freedom comes from proving that they can manage with little help. Make sure
you and your child understand the rules about self-treatment at school. Your teen
should feel empowered to let someone know if their asthma is doing poorly.
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Handing over some asthma management to your teen may not be easy. You can do it
in small steps. This will also show your teen that you respect and trust them
Learning how to manage asthma on their own is an important step toward being a
responsible, healthy adult.
Support and information for you
-
Get support from other parents, your child's
healthcare provider, or their nurse. The American Lung Association even has an
online support community. The website is
www.lung.org.
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Make sure you are educated about asthma. And share what you know with your teen.
That includes printed information and website addresses. Ask healthcare providers
for asthma resources, such as books, games, or videos for teens. That way, your
teen gets the information from others besides you.
Online Medical Reviewer: Allen J Blaivas DO
Online Medical Reviewer: Amy Finke RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Date Last Reviewed:
1/1/2021
© 2000-2023 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.