Danielle Chase

💡TL;DR: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a three-step, equipment-free way to clear lung mucus: relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, then huff coughing. It’s free to do at home; device-based options (like PEP devices or vests) add cost and maintenance, so ACBT is often a first-line choice

💡TL;DR: Postural drainage uses body positions to let gravity move thick mucus toward your throat so you can cough it out. Hold each position 5–10 minutes with slow breaths, then huff cough to clear what moved. Head-down angles help the lower lobes; use upright or side-lying if you

💡TL;DR: RSV and the common cold start the same, but RSV is more likely to move into the chest and cause wheezing or hard breathing, especially in babies and older adults. A simple cold usually stays milder in the nose and throat and improves in 5–7 days; RSV

💡TL;DR: Bronchitis affects the large airways and is common in older kids and adults, while bronchiolitis swells the tiny airways in babies and can cause hard, fast breathing. Bronchiolitis often peaks around days 3–4; acute bronchitis cough typically lasts about 1–3 weeks. Almost all children are infected

💡TL;DR: Breathe in for 2, out for 4–6 through gently pursed lips to slow your breathing and let trapped air leave. This simple, no-equipment technique can quickly ease shortness of breath by keeping small airways open longer. Use it during activity and at the first sign of breathlessness

💡TL;DR: Most healthy adults keep oxygen saturation around 95–100% during sleep, with only small dips. Brief drops into 90–94% can be normal, but levels that stay below 90% suggest a breathing problem and need a doctor's review. ≤88% for several minutes is dangerous and warrants

💡TL;DR: RSV symptoms usually start 4–6 days after exposure (range 2–8 days). You’re contagious for about 3–8 days and can spread it 1–2 days before symptoms; infants and people with weak immune systems may shed up to 3–4 weeks (CDC). Most illnesses last

💡TL;DR: Always keep your portable nebulizer and medications in your carry-on and pack at least a few extra days of doses for delays. Medically necessary liquids can exceed 3.4 oz (100 ml) when you declare them at security (TSA). Bring reliable power (spare batteries or a power bank)

💡TL;DR: For most people, an inhaler with a spacer works just as well as a nebuliser and is faster (1–2 minutes versus about 5–10 minutes). Nebulisers help most when a child is very young, during severe attacks, or if you can’t use an inhaler well. Expect