 | You can play any sport just for fun or at the highest competitive level if you put your mind and body into it--and control your asthma.
Keep a positive attitude and never let anyone discourage you from participating in gym or trying out for the team. |
 | If you or a friend experience any tightness in the chest, difficulty taking in a full deep breath or coughing during or right after exercise, immediately tell your parent, coach or gym teacher.
It might be due to asthma. With the right evaluation and treatment plan, your symptoms will lessen and your game will improve big time. |
 | Partner with a pediatric pulmonologist or asthma specialist with whom you and your family feel you can work closely and with whom you can speak frankly . Think of your physician as "the coach with the right evaluation and treatment game plan."
Openly discuss your exercise and specific sports preferences and concerns. Since no two young people with asthma are exactly the same, it may take a couple of adjustments to come up with the best individually customized plan for you.
Honest and clear communication is the key. |
 | Now that you've got the right individualized asthma treatment plan developed by your physician, do not skip doses of medicine --even though you might be tempted to do so.
Remember, the reason you are symptom-free and feeling better is because you are on these medicines You are investing in a better breathing future by taking your medicines and thereby decreasing your chance of long-term airway inflammation and scarring.
Good asthma control leads to a good athletic performance.
Great control means great performance. Got it? |
 | Know how to use your inhaler properly (so you actually deliver the medicine to your lungs). Knowing which inhaler to use when is also an important part of asthma control. Go over this with your physician and watch our video to double-check your techniques. You would be surprised to hear that at least half of young people with asthma are not getting the full benefit of their asthma medication because they are not using their inhalers properly. |
 | Be proactive. In other words, try to avoid triggers or adjust your medications in advance if avoidance is absolutely impossible.
If you're sensitive to outdoor pollen, grass or mold ---and you are exercising outdoors-be sure that your seasonal allergies are controlled, because if they are not, they can trigger asthma symptoms. You can do this by taking preventative oral or nasal allergy medications or by finding another venue such as an indoor facility to exercise in during peak allergen periods.
Limit vigorous exercise during a cold or upper respiratory infection or when air pollution levels (ozone, for example) are high. |
 | Use simple common sense by developing good daily habits. Treat your body well. Adopt a healthy diet, good sleeping habits and a committed "no smoking" policy. Hydrate well prior to all vigorous exercise and sports activities. |
 | Prepare well. Take your pre-exercise inhaler (s) 15-20 minutes prior to exercising or playing your sport. Use this 15 to 20 minute period after you take your inhaler to warm-up.
A 5 to 10 minute warm-up (jogging in place, jumping rope or jumping jacks, for example) can go a long way to preventing chest tightening. By gradually increasing levels of exercise, it will help your body and lungs prepare for more intense activities. |
 | Breathe through your nose as much as possible or use a ski gator to cover your nose and mouth while exercising if you enjoy outdoor, cold weather sports. Why? Your nose is an important asthma protector-it warms and humidifies the air that you breathe before it reaches your lungs. Remember, cool air is an asthma trigger in many young people and together with exercise will likely trigger asthma symptoms.
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 | Always remember that you are not in this game alone. You have a whole team of people in your corner --- your physician, parents, gym teachers, coaches and friends.
All of them will be there to support and encourage you to achieve your goals-as long as you are willing to take steps to communicate with them. Your support team is not a group of mind readers, OK? So speak your mind. |
