Your teen has asthma, you already know that. But what do you really need to know so that you can help your teen control his or her asthma. Here are some tips to pass on to your teen to help you both live with asthma.
Take your medicine regularly.
Some asthma medicines help keep you from having attacks. But they only work if you take them regularly. That may mean taking the medicine every day, even when you feel just fine.
Don’t stop taking the medicine if you have an asthma attack, either. It can take some time before the medicine starts to work in your body. Your doctor, or nurse or pharmacist will tell you how often you should take your medicine.
Take the right amount of medicine.
Don’t cut down on the amount of medicine you take if you are feeling good. And don’t take more medicine than usual if your chest feels tight unless your nurse or doctor told you to. Your body needs the correct amount of medicine, no more and no less, to keep you from having an asthma attack.
Keep your inhaler with you. And use it.
If you use a rescue inhaler, keep it with you wherever you go. Put it in your pocket or purse. That way you’ll have it with you when you need it. Check your inhaler every once in a while to make sure it still has medicine in it, they do run out!
And make sure you ask your nurse or doctor know how to use your inhaler so that it works best for you.
Tell your friends, teachers and people you work with that you have asthma.
It probably won’t be the first thing you tell them about yourself. But telling people you spend time with that you have asthma will help in many ways. It will make it easier for them to help you if you do have an attack. It will keep them from getting scared. And it might save you a trip to the Emergency Room.
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