Asthma and teenagers

Asthma is common, and it affects about one in 10 teenagers. By understanding and managing your asthma, you can keep it under control and stop it from getting in the way of your study, work, sport and social life. You can keep doing the things you have always done, as long as you look after your asthma.

Stay on top of your asthma#

• Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your asthma. It is generally recommended that you have an asthma review at least twice a year so you can keep managing it well.
• Find out what triggers your symptoms and try to avoid those triggers where you can (exercise is the exception, since you should still stay active).
• Learn to recognise your early warning symptoms, which can help you prevent a more serious attack.
• Teach your friends asthma first aid so they can help if you have a flare-up.
• Learn about your medications, what each one does and how to take it properly.
• Keep your reliever, for example your puffer and spacer, with you at all times. It could save your life.

Asthma and exercise#

You can and should keep exercising. Many top athletes manage their asthma well and still compete at the highest level, so exercise is something to take part in, not avoid.

If you usually get symptoms during exercise:

• If it is written on your asthma action plan, take your reliever medication up to 15 minutes before warming up, which can help keep your airways open.
• Warm up as usual.
• Begin your activity, and if any asthma symptoms appear, take your reliever medication straight away. You can return to exercise once the symptoms go away.
• Follow the “2 strikes and you’re out” rule: if symptoms come back a second time, stop, take your reliever medication again, and do not return to that activity for the rest of the day.
• Cool down as usual, and keep watching for symptoms, which can appear up to half an hour after you stop being active.

You should be able to exercise as often as you like. If you regularly get symptoms during exercise, see your doctor.

Managing your asthma day to day#

• Use a spacer with your puffer to greatly increase the amount of medication that reaches your airways. It doesn’t have to be a large spacer, as there are smaller types that fit easily into a pencil case or bag, and small disposable cardboard ones that fit in a pocket for hikes or school excursions.
• Always keep your reliever and spacer (if you use a puffer) with you or nearby. This is what you use when symptoms appear.
• Make sure you understand your asthma action plan and know what to do when you have symptoms and in an asthma emergency.
• Take your medication as prescribed, especially your preventer. It can take time to start working, sometimes several weeks, and it keeps your airways healthy for as long as you keep taking it. Over time this can let you reduce how much reliever medication you need.
• Try to avoid your triggers as much as possible, apart from exercise. Some triggers, such as cigarette smoke, can linger on clothes or furniture and set off symptoms.

Key points#

• Asthma can be kept under control so it doesn’t limit your study, work, sport or social life.
• Have a regular asthma review and always keep your reliever and spacer with you.
• Learn your triggers and your early warning symptoms.
• You can stay active by following your action plan and the “2 strikes and you’re out” rule.
• Take your preventer medication as prescribed, even though it can take weeks to work.

Where to get help#