DEALING WITH ASTHMA

Peak Flow Meter

Inhaler

Powdered Meter Inhalers

Introduction

Maybe you've been dealing with asthma since you were a little kid, or maybe you've just been told that you have it. Maybe you only wheeze during exercise, or perhaps you find it hard to breathe when you're around cats. Whatever the case, asthma can complicate your life in a major way.

Because of the restrictions asthma can place on their lives, teens with asthma may feel that they are different from their friends, classmates, and teammates. Some people may feel weird about taking daily medication or using inhalers, spacers (a mouthpiece or mask device that helps make inhalers more effective or easier to use), or peak flow meters (a small handheld device that measures the airflow exhaled from the lungs) in front of others. And if a person's asthma is aggravated by pets such as dogs or cats, he or she might have to turn down invites to visit the homes of friends with those pets.

People who play sports might find that asthma causes further aggravation. When asthma flares up, it may mean ending a practice early or pulling out of a game. Sometimes team members with asthma will have to sit on the sidelines for a few days until their symptoms go away and they're feeling better.

People react in different ways to the problems that asthma brings to their lives. Some stay away from all physical activities, even those approved by their doctors, because they are worried about having a flare. Others may find that asthma is a convenient excuse to get out of chores or gym class. And some people may deny they have asthma at all and may forget or refuse to take the medications that can control it.

Not following an asthma treatment program, though, is not a good choice. If people don't take their medications it can lead to asthma flares and may even endanger their lives. In fact, deaths from asthma among teens have actually increased in recent years. Some doctors think that part of this increase is due to the fact that asthma is becoming more common, but part of the increase is also because some teens avoid using inhalers or other medications.

People may feel embarrassed about using inhalers or peak flow meters, they can forget to take their medications, or they might mistakenly think they're feeling better and don't need medicine. But people who take their medication regularly or as soon as they have asthma symptoms have a definite advantage because this practice can keep their asthma in check. So how can you follow your asthma management program and still lead a normal life? Try these tips:

· Take charge. You'll feel more in control of your asthma if you understand why your management program is so important and what will happen if you follow (or don't follow) it. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage your asthma, including taking daily medications, avoiding triggers, and taking preventive steps when you feel a flare coming on. The bottom line is that if you don't want your asthma to have control over you, you have to take control of it.

· Use asthma management tools. Don't abandon tools like daily preventive medicines and peak flow meters if they're a part of your treatment plan, even if you're feeling absolutely fine. Some teens may skip their meds and try to rely only on quick-relief medicines like albuterol inhalers instead. This can be extremely dangerous and is a big reason why more teens are dying of asthma than in the past. Be sure you're checking your lung function and taking your daily medications if your program calls for it.

· Set up a schedule. You know how it's impossible to leave for school without brushing your teeth or changing out of your pajamas? Add "taking asthma medication" to that list of morning or evening must-do's. Making your medicine part of your daily routine means that you're less likely to forget to take it - and less likely to experience flares or other symptoms.

· Don't smoke. Cigarette smoke is a common cause of asthma aggravation in teens. Don't smoke - period. Talk to your parent or a doctor about how to quit if you do. If your friends smoke, don't stand nearby when they light up either because secondhand smoke is a common trigger of asthma attacks. If someone in your family smokes, talk with him or her about quitting.

· Control your environment. Environmental triggers, such as dust mites and pet dander, can be hazardous if you have asthma. If pets trigger your asthma and you want to hang out with a friend who has a pet, invite him or her over to your house. You don't have to explain that it's because of your asthma. Also, try to keep your room dust free by cleaning it regularly, and talk to your doctor about using special mattress and pillow covers. If you have pets, keep Fido or Fluffy out of your room.

· Find a sport or activity that works for you. Just because your asthma restricts your exercise doesn't mean you have to spend your time on the sidelines. Your doctor may give you the thumbs-up to participate in team sports if you take certain asthma management precautions. Or he or she might encourage you to participate in other activities such as swimming or yoga. You could also try drama or music. Either way, contributing to a team or group is a great way to give your self-esteem a boost.

If you have asthma, it isn't your fault. It can usually be controlled and, if it's well managed, a person's quality of life can be good.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Updated and reviewed by: Wayne Ho, MD
Date reviewed: October 2003
Originally reviewed by: Stephen McGeady, MD