Helping Your Teen Take Control of Asthma
In teenage years, parents can start trusting their teens with more responsibility in controlling their own asthma symptoms. Here are some tips for parents:
- Form an asthma action plan with your teen: Diligently go over asthma symptoms and warning signs with your teen. Let them know what they should do when an asthma attack is imminent. This will give your teen a sense of control.
- Give them a say: Include your teen’s preferences and school schedule in their asthma control strategies. This will help them feel more involved in their treatment and encourage them to take greater responsibility.
- Tell them it’s okay to ask for help: Remind your teen that it is important to ask for help if their symptoms don’t improve.
- Stay watchful: Keep monitoring your teen’s health and medication.
- Visit the doctor: “Routine visits to the doctor for monitoring are mandatory,” says Mellon. Don’t leave it just up to your teen to make those appointments.
- Make sure they can receive medication at school: You will still have to sign off on your teen getting their asthma medications at school.
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