Expert: Cyndee - 3/31/2005

Question
My son has had a mild form of Asthma that comes & goes during the winter months only , since he was 5 yrs old. The coughing (only) lasts months , sometimes weeks, so the Docs call it Asthma, one termed it "Winter Asthma" and said he may grow out of it. We tried the inhalers, they didnt seem to work all that well back then. So over the years we have not used anything. But now he is 14 and in Track, and he is doing alot of coughing after running. It doesnt bother him AT ALL, He is obsessed with the fact these Inhalers have "Chemicals". I am concerned as it seems he clearly has "Exercised INduced Asthma", he tells me even when I get his DOc to perscribe a medication, he will refuse to take it. I have talked to him till I am blue in the face about Mild asthma --can still Kill. Sent him links to stories, etc. How can I convince this STUBBORN child these medications will NOT harm him. Is their any over the counter medications for this--safe for teenagers? I feel he needs something before Track is all, not necessarily every day. This usually goes away in Mid spring. Thanks  

Answer
As with all teenagers he feels invinsible.
He is too old to hold down and force medication on him.
The problem is the cough may not bother him but indeed it is asthma.  
You can read in many of my other answers the same thing...
Every asthma attack scars the lung and eventually you will end up barrel chested and with emphysema and pulling an oxygen tank.  This is not an overexaggeration just the facts.  Asthma is a disease characterized by inflammation, swelling, bronchoconstriction and excessive mucous.  The inflamation creates changes and scarring in the lung tissue (just as a bug bite creates inflammation and scarring on the skin).  These changes are cellular remodeling.  
It is too bad your son will not take medication.
I know part of it is he does not want his friends to know.
The best thing would be for him to take something like advair in the morning which has a inhaled steroid component to prevent the swelling and inflammation and it has a long acting bronchodilator to keep the airways open.

Good Luck
Cyndee