The teen years can be tough under normal circumstances. For teens with asthma and allergies, it can be tougher. Approximately 10 million children and adults in the United States have asthma symptoms triggered by allergies, according to the website Kids Health. Understanding how to recognize asthma and deal with issues unique to teens can help parents manage this disease and help their teens lead happy and healthy lives.
The Asthma/Allergy Connection
People with allergies that result in runny noses and itchy eyes are more likely to develop asthma, according to Kids Health. Common triggers that lead to asthma include dust mites, mold, pollen and animal dander. Although these environmental factors are usually the cause of allergy-related asthma, heredity also plays a part. Teens are more likely to develop asthma or allergies if their parents have these conditions. Asthma occurs when the allergy triggers affect the lung airways.
Symptoms
Recognizing asthma can be challenging, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, because its symptoms can mimic those of pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies or a common cold. Nighttime wheezing or coughing are the most common symptoms, although tightness of the chest and/or shortness of breath can also occur. Parents should call a doctor if their teen has trouble sleeping or engaging in normal daily activities because of these symptoms. Sometimes asthma develops after allergies have been in existence for some time, so it is important to consider asthma if symptoms occur together with a common allergic trigger. Last, colds and respiratory infections such as bronchitis can also trigger an asthma attack, so parents should not rule out asthma if a teen continues to cough long after the illness has subsided.
Asthma and Sports
Teens with asthma and allergies can be physically active and should not shy away from sports, according to the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, provided the asthma is under control. Exercise is good for the lungs and may simply require a pre-exercise treatment and keeping emergency medication nearby.
In Denial
It is not uncommon for teens to be in denial about having asthma, in part because they do not want to stand out from their peers, according to Kids Health. As a result, many stop taking maintenance medications, which can trigger symptoms and flare-ups. Parents are encouraged to use peak flow meters at home to measure breathing ability and to rely on the readings to determine when medication is necessary. A drop in peak flow readings indicates increased airway inflammation.
Living Worry-Free With Asthma
Some teens shy away from normal activities for fear of a flare-up or use their asthma as an excuse to get out of activities and chores, according to Kids Health. But with proper medication management and symptom monitoring, teens can engage in any and all normal activities without worry.
