I love to run but I have asthma. I have an inhaler but it doesn't help much before, when, or after I'm running. Is there anything else like a different medicine that would help me do what I love again? – Alicia* Yes! You should be able to get your asthma under control. Exercise is essential to good health, and it's great that you love running so much. So make an appointment with your doctor to talk about what's going on. It sounds like you may need to adjust your medicine or add a new one. As they grow, it's very common for teens with asthma to need changes in their medicines, such as a higher dose. The good news about asthma is that lots of different treatments are available. Some people only need quick-relief medicines around the times when they're most likely to have a flare-up. Others also need long-term control medicine every day to keep their asthma in check. Your doctor can help you find what works best for you. Sometimes it can take a few tries to find the best option, so talk with your doc about what works and what doesn't. Bring your inhaler to your doctor to show how you use it. Maybe you aren't using it correctly and your doc can help with that. It can also help to go over your asthma action plan to make sure you understand the instructions. Try to avoid things your asthma triggers. You might need to keep track of pollen or mold counts to see when it's OK to run outside. If the air is cold while you run, it can help to wear a scarf or ski mask over your mouth. It's important to get help because your asthma could get worse, and the next flare-up could be bad. It's best to see the doctor who has treated you in the past and knows your medical history . He or she can make sure your symptoms are from asthma, not something else. If you can't see your regular doctor, go to another or visit a clinic to get the care you need. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Dealing With an Asthma Flare-Up Asthma flare-ups, or attacks, can be handled, but it's even better if you can prevent them from happening. Find out how to deal with flare-ups. Read More Exercise-Induced Asthma Some people have asthma symptoms only during or after exercise. This is called exercise-induced asthma. Get some tips for coping with it in this article. Read More Asthma Center Visit our Asthma Center for information and advice on managing and living with asthma. Read More How Can I Deal With My Asthma? Asthma is more common these days than it used to be. The good news is it's also a lot easier to manage and control. Read More How Do Asthma Medicines Work? Two different types of medicines are used to treat asthma: long-term control medicines and quick-relief medicines. Read about how they work, and why people might need to take them. Read More Can the Weather Affect a Person's Asthma? The weather can affect your asthma symptoms. If you think weather may be triggering your asthma, here are some tips for dealing with it. Read More What's an Asthma Action Plan? An asthma action plan is a written plan that helps you take control of your asthma. Get the details in this article. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.