

For those living with asthma, this simple task can
be a real pain. It’s only more frightening for a child,
gasping for a breath and finding none. The number
of Americans living with asthma grows each year. It’s
the most common chronic illness for children and
teens, accounting for more than 14 million missed
school days each year.
But you can help. This Parents/Guardians Guide
to TEENS ON COURSE™: It’s All About Asthma
contains some key facts, stats and plans of action
to help your teen face the challenges of asthma and
breathe freely.

DISCLAIMER. This book provides general information about asthma and related
issues. The information does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be
used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting
with a licensed health professional. Consult with a qualified physician or health care
practitioner to discuss specific individual issues or health needs and to professionally
address personal medical concerns.
D
Table of ConTenTs
2)
Understanding Asthma
4)
Asthma by the Numbers
5)
It’s Classified: Asthma Types
8)
The Trouble with Triggers
12)
Making Matters Worse: Irritants
14)
Easing the Fears
16)
Choke, Gasp, Gag: Smoking and Asthma
17)
Medicines to the Rescue
20)
The Puff of Dreams: Inhalers and Spacers
24)
Go with the Flow: Peak Flow Meters
26)
Peak Flow Diary
27)
Step It Up: Fitness and Asthma
29)
And Action! Your Teen’s Asthma Action Plan
30)
Asthma Action Plan
Notes
Resources
1
UNDERSTANDING
asthma
If your teen has asthma and you’re in the early stages of learning how
to deal with it, the book TEENS ON COURSE™: It’s All about Asthma
can help both of you come to terms with the disease. This book will help
you learn how to help your child. In order to do that, you first have to
understand what asthma is and what it isn’t.
WHAT IT IS


When the air passages to and from the lungs get inflamed, they become
narrow and air has a hard time moving in and out.

Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest
tightness.

Experts think the environment, genetics and immune system factors
combine to make the oxygen-carrying bronchial tubes inflamed. This can
lead to asthma and episodes.

Effective short-term relief and long-term control treatments for asthma
include:
Steroids and anti-inflammatory medicines
Bronchodilators
Inhalers
Nebulizers
2
WHAT IT ISN’T

While some children do grow up and find their asthma symptoms lessen
greatly or go away altogether, many never completely outgrow it. For
others it may come back later in life, brought on by smoking, a virus or
exposure to toxic vapors.

In fact, many people start having asthma symptoms as grownups. Even
if they’ve had no symptoms as a child, an adult can get the breathing
disorder.

Nope. Exercise is just as important for people with asthma as it is for
those without it. With care and the right prep, those with asthma can
get the same benefits from exercising as everyone else. See the section
ahead on fitness and asthma.

Not all asthma episodes include wheezing. Likewise, not all wheezing
means someone has asthma. Many people with asthma don’t wheeze at
all. Sometimes theres not enough air getting through the passageway to
even make a wheeze.
American Lung Association: Asthma:
lung.org/lung-disease/asthma
3
ASTHMA
BY THE NUMBERS

Average number of people in the U.S. with asthma.

Average number of children with asthma in the U.S.

Percent of children with asthma who also have allergies.

Average yearly cost of asthma in the U.S. due to medical expenses, missed
school and work days.

Average number of lost school days by children with asthma.

Average number of deaths in the U.S. from asthma per year. Worldwide that
number goes up to about 250,000. Asthma deaths are rare among children.
The number of deaths goes up with age.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America: Asthma Facts and Figures
aafa.org/page/asthma-facts.aspx
4
IT’S CLASSIFIED:
ASTHMA TYPES
There are different types of asthma, brought on by different conditions:
ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Allergens can irritate people with allergies and cause harmful reactions. Even
everyday things like dust, animal dander, plant pollen and mold spores can
cause asthma flare-ups. A doctor can run tests to determine what objects your
teen may be allergic to.

Think your child may have allergies? Here
are some common symptoms to watch for:
Itchy, watery eyes
Sneezing
Stuffy or runny nose
Headache
Dark circles under the eyes
Allergies don’t cause asthma
, but the two conditions often go hand in hand.
Children with allergies are more likely to have asthma than those who don’t. A
family history of allergies or asthma can also make a child more likely to have
these conditions.
5
SEASONAL ASTHMA
Changes in the weather can trigger an asthma attack. Microscopic pollen or
mold in the air during certain times of the year can affect people with seasonal
asthma. They may be sensitive to the cold air in winter or heat and humidity of
summer. Taking special asthma meds can prevent allergies and attacks. Have
your teen take them at the start of and all during the season that most affects
him or her, as the doctor prescribes.
NON–ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Your teen may suffer the same symptoms as allergic asthma but instead, he or
she is sensitive to other things, such as:
Smoke
Emotional stress
Changes in the weather
Breathing infections
The doctor can run tests to find out what
triggers your teens asthma. Have your teen
help by tracking the things that cause the
symptoms. He or she can make a list and keep
a chart. Together you can figure out what’s
causing the problem.

Black children are two times more likely to have asthma than white children.
6
EXERCISE–INDUCED ASTHMA
Maybe its exercise that brings on
asthma symptoms in your teen.
When he or she gets active, changes
in temperature and humidity can
trigger attacks. The cold air that
enters airways during exercise
irritates the sensitive tubes and
brings on wheezing and breathing
difficulty.
NOCTURNAL ASTHMA
People with this type of asthma feel
the symptoms worsen late in the day.
The hormones our bodies make during
the day don’t always protect against
asthma at night. Other factors that
can make asthma symptoms worse at
night:
A runny nose or sinus infection
Acid reflux from the stomach
into the esophagus
Allergens in the bedroom
A late reaction to something
earlier exposed to
Cool nighttime air
If your teen is having more asthma
symptoms at night than during the day,
tell the doctor. He or she can adjust
the meds and get your teen sleeping
better.
WebMD: Asthma Types and Symptoms:
webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-symptoms-types
7

triggers
AND SO IT BEGINS
One minute your teen is doing just fine.
The next, he’s coughing and gasping for
air. Something has caused inflammation
in the airways leading to his lungs,
bringing on asthma symptoms. We call
these things triggers. These triggers are
usually harmless to most people, but
those with asthma can find themselves
coughing, wheezing and panting for air
when they come in contact.
Knowing which ones bother your teen
can help him or her steer clear of them
and ward off an asthma episode.
Dust mite

Allergens like pollen and mold
Pollutants in the air
Lung infections, like colds or flu
Weather conditions
Exercise
Dust and dust mites
Animals
Foods
Medicines
Acid reflux
8
Triggers are different for different people. Sometimes they only cause problems
during certain seasons, like pollen and mold in spring or cold air in winter. A child
may even outgrow these triggers as he or she grows up.

Asthma often runs in families. If one or both parents have asthma, it’s more
likely that their children will have it too.
NOT SO COMMON TRIGGERS
For people with asthma—both children and a
dults—life is more of a challenge. Not
only are there everyday triggers to watch out for, but also some ones you may not
think about often enough.
9
Car exhaust
Fireworks
Flour
Gas ovens and appliances
Candles
Printer ink
Plastic made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
MANAGING YOUR TEEN’S ASTHMA TRIGGERS
You may not have known this, but the sad reality of asthma is that there is no
cure. But it can be managed. Taking each day one at a time and figuring out how to
ease the symptoms while remaining active is the key. That means helping your child
stay away from the triggers. Not managing triggers can mean more flare-ups and
episodes, as well as damaged lung function.

Follow these tips to help keep the triggers away that cause asthma
episodes in your teen:
Take extra care of colds and infections
Keep your teen inside on days of high pollen and mold counts
Don’t make foods that trigger asthma
Clean the house of all mold
Get rid of smoke, strong odors and sprays
Control your pet’s dander
Get rid of all cockroaches and pests
Close windows and use the air conditioning
Make sure your teen covers his/her nose and mouth when
going outside on cold days
Teach your teen how to pace exercise and physical activities
Replace feather pillows with ones made from man-made fibers
Work with your doctor to help figure out what asthma triggers your teen
has. Keeping a Trigger Diary can help your teen track the things that
bring on asthma symptoms and help him/her learn how to stay away
from them. Share these results with the doctor in order to create an
asthma action plan.
10

DATE TIME TRIGGER
(i.e., pet
hair, cold
weather)
REACTION LENGTH OF
REACTION
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Common Asthma Triggers:
cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html
11
IRRITANTS

IRRITANTS
Irritants aren’t the same as triggers. They aren’t things your child may be allergic to.
Instead, theyre things that can bother airways and cause asthma symptoms. They
irritate the already inflamed airways and make breathing harder.

Air pollution
Strong smells
Weather changes
The flu
Acute bronchitis
Pneumonia
Cigarette smoke
 Get your child a flu shot each year in the early fall. Contact your
health care professional at the first sign of the flu in your child.
A pneumonia shot can protect your teen from many of the causes of this
disease for several years.
12

Extremely dry, wet or windy weather conditions can make asthma worse.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
What Causes or Triggers Asthma?:
aafa.org/asthma-triggers-causes/
13
EASING THE FEARS
The challenges of living with asthma can be pretty scary. But the more you know,
the more you can help in calming those fears.
WHAT IS AN ASTHMA EPISODE?
It’s a series of events that end up with narrowed airways that make it hard to breathe:
Swelling of the airway lining
Tightening of the muscle
More mucus in the airway
These make breathing difficult and labored, and result in the wheezing sound known
all too well to people with asthma.
FIGHT THE FEAR
A new diagnosis of asthma in anyone means a lot of fear, uncertainty and no doubt
many questions. Easing your own fears and concerns as a parent about what to
expect is the first step. You most likely have a lot of questions, and that’s natural.
Here are a few of the common questions with simple straightforward answers.
Q: CAN MY CHILD LIVE A NORMAL LIFE?
A: Of course. With the right medical care and medication plan, watching out for
triggers and staying away from irritants, your child can easily lead a normal and
active life.
Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE MY CHILD’S ASTHMA “UNDER CONTROL”?
A: Having asthma under control means no coughing, no shortness of breath,
no wheezing, and no chest tightness. It means your child doesn’t wake up with
symptoms in the middle of the night, and can participate in sports, exercise and
play outdoors. It means no episodes with trips to the hospital or doctor’s office, and
no missed school days. It means normal or near normal lung function. And it’s all
possible for children with asthma.
Q: WILL MY CHILD OUTGROW THE ASTHMA?
A: It’s not possible to say how your child will grow and develop. Best case: symptoms
may disappear over time, even though they may reappear later in life. Worst case:
asthma symptoms may get worse.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR MY CHILD TO TAKE HER MEDICATION?
A: Your health care team will prescribe daily controller medications. It’s important
for your child to follow those instructions, even if she feels fine and has no symptoms.
These meds will keep the airways from becoming inflamed, which can lead to an
asthma episode.
14
Q: MY TEEN DOESN’T LIKE TO TAKE HER MEDICATION. WHAT CAN I DO TO
MAKE THAT EASIER?
A: Be honest upfront and help her adjust to having a long-term illness. She’ll need
to learn how to care for herself. The more you involve her and make her aware of
the process, the more responsible she’ll be about taking her meds on schedule as
she gets older.
Q: FRANKLY, MY CHILD’S ASTHMA NEEDS ARE STRESSING ME OUT!
WHAT CAN I DO?
A: First, see to your own sleep and nutrition needs to make sure you have the energy
to help your child. Find support groups and other parents in the same situation and
learn from them. The more you know about asthma, the better you can deal with it.
So learn as much as you can and you’ll be better prepared to deal with the emotions
that flare up when asthma episodes do as well.
Q: WHAT CAN MY CHILD DO ABOUT ASTHMA FLARE-UPS AT SCHOOL?
A: First, make sure you’ve talked with your son or daughter about what might
happen at school. Make sure he or she has taken the daily medicine and knows how
to use the inhaler and peak flow meter. Make sure the school staff knows about your
teens condition and how to help manage it. They should know:
How severe the condition is
What your child’s triggers are
What meds your child takes and how to giv
e them
How to use the inhaler and peak flow monitor
What to do in case of an episode
Emergency contact info
Work with your t
een to write the steps for managing the condition in his or her
asthma action plan. Give the info to all school officials who care for your child. Meet
with the school officials from time to time and ensure they know about the action
plan and the best ways of dealing with an asthma episode.

Diesel exhaust fumes can make asthma symptoms worse. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a Clean School
Bus Program that helps reduce pollution from school buses.
KidsHealth: Asthma and Teens:
kidshealth.org/en/teens/center/asthma-center.html
15
CHOKE, GASP, GAG
SMOKING & ASTHMA
FIRSTHAND SMOKE
If your child is a teen, he or she has already come into contact with
smokers and smoke. Maybe it’s their friends or their relatives. The simple
truth is: when you have asthma, smoking makes it much worse.
Let your child know what smoking does to a person with asthma:
It cancels out how well controller medicine works.
It can make you have to use rescue medicine more often.
It can make you cough at night more and affect sleep.
It can get in the way of being able to exercise and play sports.
It can send you to the emergency room with a severe asthma
episode.
If your child smokes, get him or her to quit. Asthma or not, smoking is
terrible for one’s health.
SECONDHAND SMOKE
For people with asthma, just being around cigarette smoke can inflame
airways and trigger an episode. Don’t allow your child to hang out with
anyone who smokes. Ask your friends and relatives who smoke to not do
it around your child. They’ll understand and respect your wishes for the
health of your child.
TeensHealth: Smoking and Asthma:
kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/
smoking_asthma.html#
16
MEDIC NES T THE RESCUE
THE TWO TYPES
When it comes to asthma, there are two types of medications: long-term
control and quick-relief medications.
Long-term control medications:
These are taken daily to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
Quick-relief medications:
These treat asthma episodes. They quickly relieve symptoms and are
taken when needed.
Corticosteroids taken through an inhaler are effective anti-inflammatory
medications for controlling asthma. These are safe and can improve
asthma control and make lung function normal again.
If asthma is triggered by allergens that can’t be avoided, you may need to
consider immunotherapy or allergy shots. For symptoms occurring three
days a week and more than two nights a month, this treatment is most
effective. The shots work well when symptoms occur year-round or aren’t
easily controlled with other medication.
17

According to the CDC, adults who don’t finish high school are more likely to
have asthma than adults who graduate high school or college.
Here’s a brief look at the most common
asthma medications and how they work:
MEDICATION WHAT THEY DO
Bronchodilators
(bron-co-DI-lay-ters)
Relax and open the muscles around
the airways. Two types of medications
are used to relax airway muscles.
Short acting – Give quick relief of
symptoms and last 4 to 6 hours.
Long acting – Last 6 to 12 hours;
not to be used for quick relief of
symptoms.
Corticosteroids
(cor-tih-co-STAIR-oyds)
Reduce, reverse and in some cases
stop irritation, swelling and mucus
buildup in breathing tubes.
Three forms of corticosteroids:
Oral
Inhaled
Nasal
Non-Corticosteroids Stop swelling and mucus buildup
when coming in contact with
something that bothers you.
Two types of non-corticosteroid
medications:
Anti-Inflammatories
Anti-Leukotrienes
18
MEDICATION WHAT THEY DO
Expectorants & Mucolytics Loosen mucus so that it’s easier to
cough up.
Cough Suppressants Stop a steady, dry cough that doesn’t
bring up any mucus.
Antibiotics Fight infections.

Talk to your doctor or health care team
to decide which of these medications are
best for your child.
WebMD: Asthma Medications:
webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-medications
19
THE PUFF OF DREAMS
INHALERS AND SPACERS
MEET THE INHALER
An inhaler is your first line of defense when an asthma
episode strikes. Sometimes called a metered dose
inhaler (MDI) or a dry powder inhaler (DPI), a puff
breathed in on this device can relieve irritated airways
and make breathing comfortable again. The MDI quickly
sprays medicine through a nozzle, out of the mouthpiece
and into the lungs. There are different kinds of inhalers,
as seen below.
INHALER STEPS
You can help teach your teen how to properly use an inhaler by learning
these steps:
1. Shake the inhaler before using. Then remove the cap from the mouthpiece.
2. Open your mouth wide and place the mouthpiece an inch or two from your
mouth.
3. Tilt your head back slightly, keeping your mouth wide-open.
4. While taking a slow, deep breath through your mouth, press down one time
on the canister.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds if you can.
6. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
7. Wait two to three minutes before repeating the dose.
8. Replace the cap on the mouthpiece after your final puff of medicine.
9. Rinse your mouth with water so the medicine doesn’t irritate your throat and
mouth.
 Some inhalers used for asthma are breath-activated. For this type,
you need to place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece for the inhaler to
work properly.
20
INHALER FACT
Bronchodilator meds last about four to six hours and should be taken with an
inhaler when your teen needs to ease asthma symptoms.
Controller/preventer meds are meant to be taken every day, even when your
child feels fine. These can prevent asthma episodes.
Inhaled steroids can have a few side effects that aren’t serious, such as: hoarse
voice, sore throat and mild throat infection.
INHALER FICTION
Inhaler use can be addictive. NOT TRUE.
Using inhaler meds everyday makes them lose their effectiveness. NOT TRUE.
You need to wait one minute between inhalations. NOT TRUE. Inhalers are
ready to spray again within seconds of firing.
MEET THE SPACER
The spacer is an add-on tube that makes a chamber from an inhaler to your child’s
mouth. Spacers make it easier for the medication to travel by creating space in
which your child can inhale the spray.
SPACER INHALER
21
SPACER STEPS
Show your teen the easy steps for using a spacer on their inhaler:
1. Remove the protective cap from the inhaler and spacer.
2. Check the spacer for dirt and make sure it’s clean and clear.
3. Insert the inhaler mouthpiece into the end of the spacer.
4. Firmly hold the spacer and inhaler and shake four to five times.
5. Breathe out normally.
6. Place the mouthpiece of the spacer between your front teeth and seal your
lips around the mouthpiece. Keep your tongue under the mouthpiece. If you
use a mask, gently place it over your mouth and nose.
7. Push down on the end of the inhaler and breathe in slowly.
8. When you’ve inhaled as much air as you can, hold your breath for five to
10 seconds. If the spacer makes a whistling sound, you’re breathing in too
quickly.
9. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
10. Rinse your mouth out after using the inhaler.
METERED DOSE
INHALER (MDI)
METERED DOSE
INHALER WITH
SPACER
22
DRY POWDER
INHALER (DPI)
Small and easy to carry Not as compact or easy
to carry
Small and easy to carry
Doesn’t require a deep,
fast breath
Doesn’t require a deep,
fast breath
Requires a deep, fast
breath
Accidently breathing out
a bit is OK
Accidently breathing out
a bit is OK
Accidently breathing out
a bit can blow away the
medication
You may have to time
your breath with the
medicine release
Easier to time your
breath with the medicine
release
No need to time your
breath with the medicine
release
METERED DOSE
INHALER (MDI)
METERED DOSE
INHALER WITH
SPACER
DRY POWDER
INHALER (DPI)
Meds can get stuck on
tongue and back of the
throat
Less chance of medicine
on tongue and back of
throat
Meds can get stuck on
tongue and back of the
throat
Some don’t show how
many doses are left
Some don’t show how
many doses are left
Shows when inhaler is
running low on doses
Needs to be shaken and
primed before use
Needs to be shaken and
primed before use, with
correct use of spacer
Capsules must be
loaded into single dose
models before use
Humidity doesn’t affect
meds
Humidity doesn’t affect
meds
High humidity can cause
meds to clump
WebMD: Asthma Inhalers:
webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-inhalers
MedlinePlus: How to Use an Inhaler – with Spacer:
medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000041.htm
23
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
L/min
750
650
550
450
350
250
150
50
GO WITH THE FLOW
PEAK FLOW METERS
PEAK SEASON
A peak flow meter is a handheld device that measures how well air flows out of your
lungs. It’s portable and doesn’t cost a lot of money. Low range peak flow meters
are best for small children. Standard range peak flow meters are geared toward
older children, teens and adults. These are great tools for testing lung strength and
capacity at any given time.
There are several types of peak flow meters available. Talk to your health care
provider or pharmacist about which type your teen should use.
PEAK FLOW METER STEPS
A peak flow meter is easy to use and good for tracking your child’s asthma.
Here are the steps so you can show your teen how to use it:
1. Stand or sit up straight.
2. Make sure the indicator is at the bottom of the meter (zero).
3. Hold the peak flow meter at the opposite end of the mouthpiece.
4. Take a deep breath in, fully filling up the lungs.
5. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and over your tongue.
Close your lips tightly around it.
6. Blast the air out as hard and as fast as you can in one blow.
7. Remove the meter from your mouth.
8. Read the number at the level of the indicator.
9. Repeat these steps two more times.
10. Write down the highest of the three readings on the Peak Flow chart or asthma
diary. This number is the PEF (peak expiratory flow).
24
THE PEAK FLOW ZONES
It’s important to keep a Peak Flow chart for your teen. Share it with the doctor or
health care team so they can help figure out the Peak Flow Zones. These show
where your teens breathing range is: Green Zone, Yellow Zone or Red Zone.
 Good! 80-100 percent of their personal best
Breathing is good
No early warning signs or asthma symptoms
Be sure they take all medicines every day, as the doctor
prescribes
Make sure they take their inhaler before they exercise, as their
doctor says
 Caution! 50-79 percent of their personal best
Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, itchy throat
Tiredness or restlessness
Red or pale face, dark circles under the eyes
Use rescue medicine
Recheck peak flows after 15 minutes or so
Call their doctor, health care professional, or nurse care manager
if the next reading isn’t in the Green Zone
 Danger! Below 50 percent of their personal best
Coughing, more at night
Wheezing
Chest feels tight or hurts
Breathing is faster than normal
Becoming short of breath quickly
Use their quick-relief medicine by inhaler or nebulizer right away
Call their doctor or 911 now
KidsHealth: What’s a Peak Flow Meter?
kidshealth.org/en/parents/peak-flow.html?ref=search
25

Help your teen track the results of using the peak flow meter each day by filling out
this Peak Flow Diary together.
DATE AND
TIME
WHEEZING
COUGHING
CHEST
TIGHTNESS
LIMITED ACTIVITY
NIGHT
AWAKENINGS
EARLY MORNING
COUGH
Triggers/
Quick–relief
medications
Record your best peak
flow each morning and
early afternoon before
and a few minutes
after using your
inhaler or nebulized
medicine.
PM AM
26
STEP UP
FITNESS AND ASTHMA
FITNESS FACTS
Having asthma shouldn’t hold your teen back from being active and fit. If a
diagnosis of asthma meant the end of sports participation, the world would
never have known Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Emmitt Smith, Kristi Yamaguchi,
Dennis Rodman and many other pro athletes.
It’s important for children of all ages with asthma to play sports, exercise, be
active and stay fit, as well as staying at a healthy weight. Building stronger
breathing muscles can also help their lungs work better.
For your teen with asthma, there are a couple of important things to keep in
mind about them playing sports.
1. Their asthma has to be under control for them to play properly.
2. With their asthma under control, they should be active and play sports just
like anyone else.
Some sports are less strenuous and less likely to trigger asthma flare-ups.
Swimming, walking, biking and golf are ideal. Games that don’t require
extended bursts of activity, like baseball, gymnastics and football work well,
too.
But activities that require endurance, like long-distance running and cycling,
and sports like soccer and basketball, will be more challenging. Cold-weather
sports like skiing or ice hockey will pose greater breathing problems. It doesn’t
mean children can’t play these sports if they want, but it will take the right
training and medication.
27
THE KEY
The key to keeping asthma under control is for children to take their medicine
as prescribed. If they forget or skip taking their controller meds, symptoms can
become worse or lead to severe flare-ups.

Make sure your teen carries rescue
medication at all times, even during
sports, exercise and workouts, in case of
a flare-up. Figure out how to make a kit
that contains rescue meds, an inhaler and
maybe a spacer. Put it in a small container
that can fit in a backpack or purse and
make sure your child takes it everywhere,
along with their asthma action plan.
TRIGGER WATCH
Keep triggers in mind when your teen is exercising or playing sports. To try to
prevent them, have your child:
Skip outside activities when pollen or mold counts are high.
Wear a scarf or ski mask during the winter when training outside.
Breathe through the nose while exercising.
Take the time to do a warmup and cool down.
Make your child’s coaches aware of the asthma and any meds he or she may
need. It’s important for the coaches to know when your teen may need a break
from the activities before an episode comes on and it turns into an emergency.
HealthCentral: Kids with Asthma Can and Should
Play Team Sports
healthcentral.com/asthma/c/52325/107483/asthma-
play-sports
28
AND ACTION!
YOUR TEEN’S ASTHMA ACTION PLAN
You and your teen can use the Peak Flow Diary included in the Teens on
Course™: It’s All about Asthma book to chart and keep track of regular peak
flow meter readings. Another important part of the process is to keep an
asthma action plan.


Created with your doctor, an asthma action plan is written to help control your
teens asthma. It shows their daily treatment, such as what kind of meds to
take and when to take them. It shows how to control asthma long term and
how to handle it during episodes and flare-ups. Like the Peak Flow Chart, it
shows the Peak Flow Zones and explains when to call the doctor or go to the
emergency room.
See to it that anyone who needs to know about your teens asthma—such as
teachers or coaches—has a copy of the asthma action plan.

Make sure your teen takes his or her
asthma action plan with them at all
times. Make copies for them to give to
anyone who may need to know in case of
emergency.
The next page contains a sample asthma action plan.
CDC: Asthma Action Plans:
cdc.gov/asthma/tools_for_control.htm
29

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Name: ______________________________
Emergency contact: _______________________________ Phone #: _____________
Doctor/health care provider: ________________________ Phone #: _____________
Doctor signature: ____________________________________ Date: _____________
SEVERITY:
Intermittent
Mild persistent Moderate persistent
Severe persistent
TRIGGERS:
Colds Exercise Food
Animals Smoke Weather Dust
Air pollution Other
GREEN ZONE: DOING WELL
Symptoms:
Breathing is good
No cou
gh or wheeze
Can work and play
Sleeps well at night
Peak Flow Meter
More than 80 percent of personal best or ________
Peak Flow Meter Personal Best =
Control medications:
Medicine
How much to take When to take
YELLOW ZONE:
GETTING WORSE
Symptoms:
Some problems
breathing
Cough, wheeze
or tight chest
Problems working
or playing
Wake at night
Peak Flow Meter
Between 50 percent
and 80 percent
of personal best
or ________ to
_________
_____________
Contact doctor if using quick r
elief more than 2 times per week.
Continue control medicines and add:
Medicine
How much t
o take When to take
If symptoms (and peak flow,
if used
) return to Gr
een Zone
after one hour of the quick-
relief treatment, THEN:
Take quick-relief
medication every four
hours for one to two days.
Change your long-
term control medicine
by _______________
Contact your doctor
for follow-up care.
If symptoms (and peak flow, if
used) DO NOT return t
o Green
Zone after one hour of the
quick-relief treatment, then:
Take quick relief treatment again.
Change your long-term control
medicine by __________________
Call your doctor/health care
provider within _____ hour(s) of
modifying your medication routine.
RED ZONE:
MEDICAL ALERT
Symptoms:
Many brea
thing
problems
Can’t work or play
Getting worse and
not better
Medicine doesn’t help
Peak Flow Meter
Less than 50 percent of
personal best or
________ to _________
Ambulance/Emergency Phone Number:
Continue control medicines and add:
Medicine
How much t
o take When to take
Go to the hospital or call 911 if:
Still in the red zone after
15 minutes.
You have not been able
to reach your doctor/health
care provider for help.
_____________________
Call an ambulance or 911
right away if these danger
signs are present:
Trouble walking/talking
due to shortness of breath.
Lips or fingernails are blue.
30
TRIGGERS: Colds Exercise Food
Animals Smoke Weather Dust
Air pollution Other _____________
MY NOTES
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31
MY NOTES
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
32

American Lung Association
1-800-LUNGUSA or 1-800-586-4872
lung.
org
Allergy & Asthma Network
aanma.org
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
800-CDC-INFO
cdc.gov
American Institute of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology
aaaai.org
National Asthma Education and
Prevention Program
nhlbi.nih.gov/about/org/naepp
Find an Allergist
aca
ai.org/locate-an-allergist
Asthma and Allergy Foundation
of America
Find a Local Support Group
aafa.org/page/aafa-affiliated-asthma-
allergy-support-groups.aspx

Kaneshia Agnew
Dr. Woody Kageler
Jennifer Allen
Dana Oliver
Kathy Sedlet
© 2016 Centene Corporation. All rights reserved. All materials are exclusively owned by
Centene Corporation and are protected by United States and international copyright
law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Centene
Corporation. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice.


Having asthma can make you feel like
a fish out of water. If it’s your teen
dealing with it, that’s even worse.
Teens on Course has the info you need
to help your child handle the stresses
of asthma and lead a normal life.
From inhalers and spacers to
exercising and action plans, from
control meds and peak flow meters to
triggers and irritants, we lay it all
out for you in this guide to help
your teen cope and live better.
MADE IN
THE USA
Because Wher
e’s It @? Media
cares about the environment,
this book was printed on
recycled paper.
ISBN: 9780986211676
CREATED BY MICHELLE BAIN
DESIGN BY DMITRI JACKSON