How to Help Teens Self-Manage Asthma

When children become teenagers, they often seek more independence from their parents. This is normal behavior, of course. But for teens with asthma, independence comes with taking on more responsibility for their healthcare.

Parents: does your teen know how to correctly use their quick-relief inhaler? Does your teen know when to use a controller inhaler and a quick-relief inhaler? Is the inhaler easily accessible at home and school?

The transition from pediatric to adult care is not only essential in asthma care but it’s also a part of growing up. Planning for the transition can start as early as middle school. This gives adolescents and teens the time to develop self-management skills that are necessary for good health.

Empowering a teen to manage asthma and advocate for their care has many benefits. It can lead to improved mental and physical health. It can also lower the risk of asthma attacks. And it can improve health outcomes.

Who can help teens as they transition to adult care?

Parents, school nurses, and healthcare providers can play a key role in the transition process.

 Parents can provide support by making sure their teen:

• takes their asthma medications on a regular basis
• knows their medical history
• knows their asthma triggers
• understands how to make doctor appointments
• keeps track of their prescriptions and knows how to request refills

School nurses, teachers and other school staff can be a wonderful resource to help teens manage asthma while at school.They can help teens:

• feel comfortable talking about asthma and overall health status
• learn how to properly take their medications
• ensure theAsthma Action Plan is followed while at school

Healthcare providers play an integral role in guiding teens through the transition process. During appointments, they can:

• encourage teens to ask questions
• start with only the teen and invite parents to join at the end.
• provide handouts and online resources about asthma
• share methods for communication after the appointment
• discuss key topics, such as the impact of smoking and avoiding environmental asthma triggers

How can parents help teens self-manage asthma?

Teaching teenagers to manage their asthma independently is a gradual process that requires patience and support. As a chronic condition, asthma demands constant and consistent care. It’s important for teens to take charge of their health as they grow older.

Here’s what teens need to know to self-manage their asthma:

• have knowledge about asthma as a chronic illness
• know how to correctly use an inhaler
• understand what asthma control is
• recognize signs and symptoms of an asthma attack
• understand when to use their inhaler
• know the difference between quick-relief and controller inhalers
• identify and avoid potential triggers and risky situations
• know how to manage their symptoms
• understand when to seek medical help
• have skills to cope with the emotional impact of living with asthma

Asthma camps are a great way for teens to learn asthma self-management skills with their peers who also have asthma.

With the right tools, support, and knowledge, parents can help teens feel confident in managing their asthma. These are skills that will stay with them their whole life and allow them to stay healthy and enjoy an active life.

How can parents check if their teen is applying asthma self-management skills?

It may take time for some teenagers with asthma to adjust to the responsibility of self-care. Their may be a slip-up here and there. It’s the job of parents to monitor their teen by checking in regularly, but it’s best to do so in a supportive, non-intrusive way. For example, parents can ask teens how they are feeling, if they’re having any asthma symptoms, or if they have been using medication as planned. (Parents can confirm medication adherence by checking the inhaler dose counter.)

Watching for signs like fewer asthma attacks or missed doses can help parents see how well their teen is sticking to the routine. Encouraging open communication and celebrating successes can make teens feel more confident about managing their asthma.

Using an inhaler the right way is important to make sure the asthma medicine gets to the lungs where it’s needed. Teens might need reminders to use it correctly, but they don’t want to feel like they’re being bossed around. Ask them, in a low-key way, to show how they use their inhaler (follow the instructions on the package insert or watch an online video).

Parents can also make up role-play situations to gauge their teen’s asthma knowledge or how well their teen handles situations. This can help them practice what to do and make smart choices if something happens.

It may be a good idea to set up rewards for managing asthma well. For example, if your teen is old enough, you can connect good asthma outcomes and habits to earning more responsibility, like using the car on Saturday night.

Lastly, have open talks with your teen about any worries they might have. Teens often want to share their fears and anxieties about asthma and how it’s affecting them, so let them know it’s okay to talk about it.

What should be considered when going from pediatric to adult asthma care?

The process of helping teenagers to learn asthma self-management skills should match their age and personal needs. This means thinking about how independent and mature they are. Cultural beliefs and customs should be acknowledged and respected.

Healthcare providers can create a good relationship with teens by earning their trust. They should listen without judging and encourage teens to talk openly. Using simple and friendly language helps teens understand better. Building a strong bond now can help teens have a good connection with their adult doctors in the future.

What are ways to encourage teens with asthma to take their medication daily?

Parents and healthcare providers can help teenagers remember to take their asthma medication. This can make asthma control easier.

Encourage teens with asthma to keep their daily controller inhaler in a place they are at every day, like next to their bed or by the bathroom sink. For example, when they wake up and use the bathroom to brush their teeth, they can also use their inhaler at the same time. That way, they won’t forget.

For young people who might forget sometimes, it’s a good idea to keep inhalers in different spots around the house. For example, keeping one at the kitchen table can help them remember to use it while eating breakfast.

What are barriers to successful asthma self-management for teens?

It is common for many teens to not follow their asthma treatment plans. They tend to engage in more risk-taking behaviors as they go through developmental, hormonal and emotional changes. This can include not taking their quick-relief inhaler to school or forgetting to take their daily asthma controller medication.

Some other reasons for not adhering to asthma treatment plans may include:

• a desire for independence
• not wanting to seem different to peers
• disagreements with the plan of care
• feeling that the treatments do not work
• lack of time due to family and school commitments
• engaging in risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking

It’s important for parents and healthcare providers to make sure the teen understands that asthma is a condition that will not just go away. They may also need to reassure teens the medications they use are not going to cause health problems.

When teens learn positive ways to cope with their asthma diagnosis, it can result in healthier outcomes when they become adults.

Ways to address non-adherence in teens include:

• exploring barriers in a patient and non-judgmental manner
• acknowledging the treatment burden
• offering shared decision-making tools
• setting review dates for treatment
• selecting realistic goals to work toward

What should teens with asthma discuss with their healthcare provider?

It’s important for teens to build a positive relationship with their healthcare provider. Studies show this can improve treatment adherence.

When meeting with a healthcare provider, encourage your teen to share details about school or work, hobbies, or future plans and goals. Discuss concerns and priorities in terms of how they may impact asthma care.

At doctor appointments for asthma, teens and their parents may be asked to provide…

• a complete medical history
• information about previous and current asthma treatments
• an updated Asthma Action Plan, if available
• information about adherence and self‐management
• a transfer of care letter, if needed

If you don’t have an Asthma Action Plan, this would be a good time to obtain one. Schools typically require that Asthma Action Plans be kept on file at the school.

It’s also important to discuss asthma control. Are symptoms worsening lately? Do they occur most days and nights? Your teen may be developing severe asthma or uncontrolled asthma. Severe asthma is a serious condition that may require more advanced treatment.

Can stress play a role in asthma self-management?

Some teens may feel added stress as they adjust to asthma self-management. It’s important to work with teens carefully during the transition and build their confidence. Encourage stress management strategies.

Stress can make asthma more difficult to control and increase the likelihood of asthma flares. It can also increase the duration and severity of symptoms.

It’s important to identify stressors that may trigger asthma. It could be that your teen is simply stressed about controlling asthma at school. It could be the amount of schoolwork, bullying at school or through social media, or feeling different from peers. Or it could be a personal issue, such as conflict with a family member or friend, or the death of a loved one.

In addition to working with an allergist to make sure asthma is well controlled, reach out to a mental health specialist or social worker to identify stressors and how to manage them. Consider what is going on in your life and if stress is playing a part in it. Keep a record of stressful situations or experiences to see if there’s a pattern, and then work with your allergist to modify your Asthma Action Plan.

How can teens with asthma prepare for life after high school?

Transitioning into adulthood brings many new experiences for teens. Some of these can lead to gaps in their asthma care. These experiences include:

• going to college
• entering the workforce
• sharing living accommodations with others
• developing new relationships
• attending social gatherings
• traveling and discovering new adventures

It is vital that teens are equipped with tools that will help them stay safe as they navigate their new level of independence.

For teens moving away for college, it is important to:

• have a local healthcare provider while away from home
• be familiar with insurance coverage options
• seek living arrangements free from environmental triggers

Teens heading into the workforce should:

• avoid jobs that expose them to environmental triggers
• communicate with their employer about their asthma diagnosis
• maintain regular appointments with their healthcare provider

Starting the transition to adult care early can help teens build the skills and confidence to manage asthma and advocate for themselves, no matter where life takes them. With support from parents, school nurses, and health care providers, teens will be well on their way to a successful transition.