Teenagers

**Teenagers** ﻿Being a teenager with asthma is very difficult. There are things the one can do and cannot do. It also can leave them sometimes without a life, as some will say. Alot of these teenagers enjoy playing sports, but some that have severe asthma sometimes could play but choose not to. Now and days they have made it much easier on teenagers so they can enjoy life just like others. Since more teens have asthma, you're probably used to seeing people take a break from sports to use an inhaler or take a moment after school to test their airflow with a peak flow meter. But even though asthma is a part of so many people's daily lives, there are times when they can feel annoyed or frustrated at having asthma just as they get annoyed or frustrated by anything else. Some teenagers that suffer from asthma take it to their advantage and get themselves out of gym class or chores.

Some tips teenagers can use to control their Asthma :
 * **Understand your plan.** Ask your doctor to explain why each medication and step of the plan is important. You'll feel more in control if you understand exactly what's going on and what will happen if you follow or don't follow your plan. Check in with your doctor often and go over the plan, explaining where you may have had trouble with it and why.
 * **Use asthma management tools.** Even if you're feeling absolutely fine, don't abandon tools like daily controller medicines and peak flow meters if they're a part of your treatment plan. Although it can be tempting to skip recommended daily meds and rely only on occasional rescue medicines, this usually doesn't work.
 * **Set up a schedule.** It can be easy to slip up and forget to take a medication, but this is less likely to happen if you follow the steps on your action plan at the same time every day. Make your medicine part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth.
 * **Don't smoke.** Cigarette smoke is a common cause of asthma aggravation in teens. Talk to your parent or a doctor about how to quit if you smoke. If your friends smoke, don't stand nearby when they light up 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 you have pets, keep Fido or Fluffy out of your room. Also, try to keep your room dust free by cleaning it regularly, and talk to your doctor about using special mattress and pillow covers.
 * **Get a flu shot every year.** Health officials now recommend that all kids and teens get a flu shot (for both seasonal flu and H1N1), and this is particularly important for people with asthma who have a greater chance of developing a more serious illness when they catch the flu.
 * **Find a sport or activity that works for you.** Some sports, such as swimming and baseball, are less likely to trigger asthma flare-ups. Other sports may be more challenging for people with asthma, like endurance or cold-weather sports. Many athletes have found that with proper training and medication, they can participate in any sport they choose. Sports can boost your mood, a great help for those times when you may feel frustrated about having asthma.