What implications could asthma have on a teenager and their ability to maintain a healthy productive lifestyle?

im doing a health assignment and i thought that some one on this site would have asthma or had had asthma and i was sorta hoping someone would be able to help me out...

An asthmatic can have a healthy productive life like everyone else. But they have to plan, make sure they always take their medicine, go for all health checks etc and always carry a reliever inhaler with them.

Well since asthma is brought on by many different situations. .it's a tad bit broader then just basic implications. . in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. .

Asthma can be brought on by:

Change of weather
Sports/Exercise
Stress
Emotions

So. . if you could imagine all the activities that would go hand in hand with these things. .

So. . implications would include:

- Sporting activites may be harder to attain to due to asthma attacks.
- Trying to get in basic exercise may lead to asthma attacks.
- Exams may be a difficult time due to exam stress
- Stress from other things. .
- If you emotional, sad, happy, depressed. . illnesses that may occur to friends and family. may send an asthmatic into an attack.
- Being out on a hot day and then it being cold and wet the next. .it may not seem like it would bring on asthma. .but it does.

Can't really think of anymore. . but hope this helped.

I think the biggest implication would be struggling with exercise in leading a healthy lifestyle with asthma. I know that before my asthma was optimally managed (I was diagnosed about a month before my 17th birthday), exercise would be a really big problem for me--not only was I taking my Ventolin 3-4 times a day just being relatively still, I wasn't able to do much activity becuase of this.

I think, in essence, uncontrolled asthma is the only hindrance to leading a healthy lifestyle. Once a person's asthma is controlled and they know to manage it through lifestyle changes and medication, they can do pretty much anything.

Prevent Asthma

* Stay away from cigarette smoke. If you smoke then stop. If others around you smoke then leave or ask them to put it out.
* Fireplaces are bad for asthma sufferers. Don't use a fireplace or other woodburning item.
* Asthma can be caused by stomach acid reflux. If you are having acid reflux, take some antacid before you go to bed. Also you can raise the top of your bed 3 to 4 inches so it does not come up your throat as bad.
* Get an air purifier and use it to clean the air around you.
* Be careful what you eat. Some of the most common types of food that trigger asthma are milk, eggs, nuts, and seafood. Pay attention to what you eat and if it causes problems don't eat it.
* Stay away from MSG (monosodium glutamate). It is a food additive that can trigger asthma.
* Don't use aspirin. Use acetaminophen instead.
* Make sure you use your inhaler correctly if you use one. Don't allow it to hit your tongue. It has to go into the lungs in order to help.
* Caffeine can help. Drink a couple of cups of strong coffee, hot chocolate, or eat a couple of chocolate bars.
* Take vitamin B6.
* Honey is one of the most common home remedies for asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with it, he starts breathing easier and deeper. I have also heard that you should eat honey from the area you live in as it has the plants and alergins you are in contact with.
* Lemon is a fruit found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals will help.
* Monitor your lung function at home. For this you'll need a peak flow meter or pocket spirometer (instruments which cost 20-60 dollars and are available without a prescription. After you determine your personal best lung function (PEF or FEV1), check it again whenever you have asthma symptoms. A decline of more than 20% in lung function confirms that you are having an asthma exacerbation (a fall into the yellow zone) and should quickly follow your written asthma action plan to prevent a further worsening of airway inflammation.
* Get a flu shot every year to protect against the flu virus, which almost always makes asthma much worse for days to weeks. Also get a pneumonia shot (Pneumovax) once every 5-10 years, because people with asthma are about twice as likely as others to get pneumococcal pneumonia.
* Keep your home free from dust, animal hair, mites etc as much as possible
* Stop smoking
* Take your Medicines regularly as prescribed by your doctor to reduce the frequency and severity of subsequent attacks
* Do Excercise regularly to improve your heart and lung function
http://www.d1scuz.com/asthma