Asthma on Campus

College has extra challenges for a student with asthma. New and unfamiliar living quarters, school and social stresses, and other factors can trigger flare-ups. As always, prevention is important. Do your best to avoid triggers and to stay healthy. Update your Asthma Action Plan annually or with each healthcare provider visit, including how to deal with emergencies. These tips can help.

Your new space

Before you leave for college, review your triggers with your allergy or asthma healthcare provider, lung doctor (pulmonologist), or primary care provider. Then review this list to see what adjustments you may need to make to your living area:

• If your dorm has an old heating or cooling system, buy vent filters. Or if your budget allows, buy a HEPA air cleaner. Change the filter often.

• Try to stay out of rooms with forced hot air heating.

• If mold is present or you have a roommate who smokes, ask about changing rooms. A note from your healthcare provider may help you avoid a room-change fee or other fees.

• Ask for a room without wall-to-wall carpeting.

• Don't use secondhand rugs or upholstered furniture in your room.

• Cover your mattress and pillows with allergy-free covers.

• Wash bedding and towels weekly with hot water.

• Clean all surfaces, including the floor, every week. If your roommates won’t help you clean, offer to do it in exchange for another favor.

• Keep an asthma diary for a few weeks. This will give you a baseline for measuring the severity of asthma flare-ups that may occur. If you use a peak-flow meter, include peak-flow readings in your diary.

Prevent flare-ups

Staying away from asthma triggers is one part of asthma management. Another is staying healthy:

• Ask your healthcare provider which vaccines you need. People with asthma need annual flu vaccines. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you should also get vaccines for pneumococcal infections, meningitis, and hepatitis B. Check with your student health center about low-cost options.

• Wash your hands often. Or use hand cleaners or sanitizers.

• Eat balanced meals, get regular exercise, and get plenty of sleep. These can help you stay healthy. And don't do all-nighters. The stress on your body can increase the risk of an asthma flare-up.

• If you’re sick, take care of yourself. You may feel as though you’re missing out. But you’ll miss more if you end up with a serious asthma flare-up. Check with your professors and administrators about attendance policies. Tell them about any special needs you have.

• If college pressures, social challenges, or other stressors get to be too much for you to handle, look into student counseling services. They are often free or available at a reduced fee.

Managing your asthma

Here are other things that can help you manage your asthma:

• Make sure you get answers to any questions you have about your Asthma Action Plan. Make sure it's up-to-date and that you have copies with you.

• Try to stay away from triggers. Many young people on college campuses smoke. Try to stay away from smoking areas.

• Take your controller medicines every day or as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Watch for early signs of asthma that gets worse. Or if you use a peak-flow meter, check your peak flow as directed. If you notice changes, use your quick-relief medicine.

• If you use quick-relief medicine to prevent exercise or physical activity from triggering symptoms, remember to use it. Keep an inhaler in your purse or backpack.

• Make sure your roommates, friends, and dorm leaders know what to do if you have symptoms. Know how to get emergency help.

• Make sure you are familiar with the campus health system and know where the closest hospital is in case of emergency. And ask your current healthcare provider if you should find an asthma specialist on or near campus.