I’m 12 years old and I love sport! But when we have double PE at school I feel really exhausted and out of breath, and the blue inhaler doesn't help even though I take it before exercise. What can I do?
Luke, 12, Belfast
This must be really frustrating for you, but there are things you can do to help. Here are a few tips on exercising with asthma:
- Remember to always warm up and warm down before exercising and to take your reliever (blue) inhaler immediately before you warm up. If you have asthma symptoms when you exercise, stop, take your reliever inhaler and wait five minutes or until you feel well before starting again.
- If you are still needing to use your reliever (blue) inhaler often this can be a sign that your asthma is not as well controlled as it could be, so it's important that you see your doctor or nurse to make sure that you are on the right level of medicine.
Do you measure your peak flow? If you do, take the readings with you when you go back to your doctor or nurse. They give a really good picture of what is going on in your airways and whether your asthma is getting worse.
- Do you ever forget to take your preventer (brown) inhaler? It's really important that you take it regularly every day, even if you are feeling well, as it needs to build up in your lungs.
- Have you tried speaking to your PE teacher or another teacher who you get on well with? Try and explain what is happening to you and how it makes you feel.
- Finally, don't think that you have to give up on exercise - remember Paula Radcliffe! She hasn't let her asthma get in the way of success!
My doctor says I have to take steroids to control my asthma, but I'm worried they'll make me fat. Will they? I don't want to put on weight.
Carrie, 13, Wolverhampton
Don’t worry Carrie.
The steroids that your doctor is talking about are almost certainly inhaled steroids. The amount taken is tiny but very good at controlling the inflammation in your airways and keeping your asthma under control. The possibility of side effects is very low - the inhaled medicine goes straight down to the airways where it is needed and very little is absorbed into the rest of the body.
You will not put on weight due to taking low doses of inhaled steroids.
I’m not sure if I’m using my aerosol inhaler properly? I find it really difficult to push it down and breath in the medicine at the same time. My doctor has shown me once already but I still don’t really understand.
Tamsin, 12, York
If you're having difficulties, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or nurse to show you again how to use your inhaler, or, if that doesn't work, ask if you can try other kinds of inhaler. There are lots of different kinds of inhalers to choose from. If you have an aerosol inhaler a spacer may make your medicine easier to take - ask you doctor or nurse about whether you should have one. It’s important that you feel comfortable using your inhalers and have the correct technique.
My asthma is bad and at my last asthma review the nurse increased my medicine so I have to take it at lunchtime too. I hate having to use my inhaler in front of my friends - do I really have to take it at school now also?
Joe, 11, Glasgow
You might feel a bit self-conscious taking your medicine in front of other people - that's quite understandable. Sort out a routine that you're happy with. Don’t stop taking your medicine but talk to your doctor or nurse about whether it's ok just to take it in the morning and evening. If you do need to take it at lunchtime, ask a teacher or the school nurse if there's somewhere private you could do this. Remember, lots of people have to take medicine for different health problems, it isn't really a big deal.
