Asthma Guide for Teens: When to Get Help

Asthma Guide for Teens:
When to Get Help

What is Asthma?	Treatment
Common Symptoms	When to Get Help
Causes and Triggers	Asthma Action Plan
Dealing with Triggers	Living with Asthma
Exercise Induced Asthma	Resources
Getting Diagnosed

It can be very scary if you have trouble breathing. Having a plan in mind and knowing when to go to the emergency room will help ease your worries.

What are the signs that I need to get help right away?

You are feeling like you need to use your fast acting (Albuterol) inhaler more than once every 4 hours
Your fast acting inhaler (Albuterol) is not working
You are having trouble talking or walking because you are out of breath
You are not able to breathe - Call an ambulance and go to the closest emergency room

What should I do in an emergency?

If you have been using your asthma medications and they aren’t working and you can’t breathe – call an ambulance right away! If you don’t feel it’s an “emergency”, contact your health care provider. Remember – many teens have reported feeling like they should have taken an ambulance instead of having a friend or family member take them to the hospital by car, as their breathing got worse during the drive. Whoever is taking you to the hospital will not know what to do if you suddenly can’t breathe – and it CAN happen.

Next: Asthma Action Plan

Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 9/4/2009

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