Asthma and Growing Up
As you grow, a lot changes, and so can your asthma.
This chapter is about the transition into adult care: taking charge of your own asthma, the choices that affect your lungs, and your rights at school, college, and work.
What Changes During the Teen Years
Many things change during the teenage years and can lead to new or more noticeable asthma symptoms, including:
- Hormonal changes
- New behaviors and routines
- Changes in the activities you enjoy
- A shift in your medical team from pediatric care to adult care
Some programs and camps are designed to support this transition and help teens manage their asthma more independently. One example is the Young Teen Asthma and Wellness Camp, a free virtual camp for adolescents 11 to 15 years.
How to find camps
- The Allergy & Asthma Network explains what asthma camps offer and how to search locally, including YMCA programs.
- Ask your medical team about local camps and support options for this transition, since availability varies by area.
Getting ready to go? The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has practical tips on what to check before a camp or an overnight stay.
Skills to Build
Taking charge of your own asthma care is a gradual process. Here is what is worth learning to know and do.
Know
- What asthma is
- What your triggers are
- The name and dosage of your medication
- How to manage asthma, including how to handle and clean devices
- The name and contact information of your healthcare provider
- When to seek medical help and when to go to the emergency room
Be able to
- Schedule and attend your own appointments
- Set reminders for appointments and refills
- Refill your medication on time
- Describe your asthma history and any current symptoms or problems to a new doctor
- Prepare your questions before a check-up
Lifestyle and Health Choices
As behaviors and routines shift from childhood into adulthood, it is important to understand how certain choices can affect asthma.
Smoking
- Can trigger asthma attacks and worsen symptoms.
- These risks include second-hand smoke from other people’s smoking.
Vaping and e-cigarettes
- Can trigger asthma attacks.
- Can make your asthma more difficult to control.
- These risks include second-hand vapor from other people’s vaping.
Drugs
- Can trigger asthma attacks and worsen symptoms.
- Often leads to inconsistent use of asthma medication.
- Increases the risk of lung damage and infections like pneumonia.
Alcohol
- Can trigger asthma symptoms and lead to asthma attacks.
- Some people may react only to certain types of alcohol.
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Sexual Health
- Discuss birth control needs with your doctor.
- Physical activity, including physical intimacy, can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms because of the elevated heart rate and faster breathing involved.
- If you notice this, using a reliever inhaler beforehand may help, and it is worth discussing with your medical team.
- Open communication with a parent or your medical team is important, as asthma concerns in this area are common.
- Asthma may change during pregnancy, but you usually continue your asthma treatment. Sometimes the medication just needs adjusting.
School, College, and Work
School
You may qualify for school-based support that helps ensure equal access to education. Applying can be complex, but most schools have a staff member who can help. The AACAP has more information. Two main plans include:
- Individualized Education Program (IEP): offers tailored educational services, which may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech or language therapy, or a classroom aide.
- Section 504 plan: provides accommodations to remove learning barriers, such as extra test time, front-row seating, modified or reduced homework, or unrestricted bathroom access. Unlike an IEP, it does not include special instruction.
College
504 and IEP plans do not carry over to college. However, accommodations can be requested through the college’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Application information is available online.
Work
Disclosing asthma during a job interview is not required. After receiving a job offer, accommodations can be requested if needed. Legal protections from discrimination are provided by:
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which applies to employers that receive federal funding and to federal agencies.
To make it easier, everything in this chapter is also a checklist you can tick off as you learn to manage your asthma on your own.