Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Asthma
Asthma in adolescents: when to worry, how to navigate the challenges
Abstract
The management of adolescents with asthma is challenging and recognition of their developmental context and psychosocial factors plays an important role in appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Key Points
- Clarity of diagnosis is important to inform appropriate management of adolescents with asthma.
- Exercise-related symptoms are common in the adolescent age group and may be caused by a variety of underlying factors not related to asthma.
- See the young person alone for at least part of the consultation, and provide reassurance regarding privacy and confidentiality.
- Provide and discuss an asthma action plan with every change of treatment.
- Red flags for high-risk asthma include poor asthma control, adherence issues, under recognition of illness, psychosocial stressors, risk-taking behaviour and communication barriers.