Asthma

💡TL;DR: Asthma–COPD overlap (ACOS) means you have features of both asthma and COPD; it’s not a new disease, but it’s often more severe than either alone (American Lung Association). Most people are 40+ with variable wheeze plus fixed airflow limitation; ACOS patients experience exacerbations about 4–

💡TL;DR: Yes—heat can trigger asthma by tightening airways and stacking irritants like ozone, pollen, and smoke. Expect the toughest conditions when the heat index is high and the AQI is over 100 (see AirNow); plan activity for early morning or evening and keep indoor humidity near 50%. Stay

💡TL;DR: A written, doctor-signed Asthma Action Plan is the safest way to manage asthma at school. Share it with the nurse, teachers, and coaches, and update it at least once a year or whenever medicines change. Yellow Zone usually means symptoms or peak flow around 50–79%; Red Zone

💡TL;DR: Use a stoplight rule to choose care. Green = manage at home when symptoms are mild and your inhaler works. Yellow = go to urgent care if symptoms keep coming back after your rescue inhaler, you can only speak in short phrases, or your peak flow is 50–79% of

💡TL;DR: Cold, dry air can narrow your airways and quickly worsen asthma symptoms. The biggest wins are simple: cover your nose and mouth, breathe through your nose, keep indoor humidity around 40–50 percent, and pre-treat with your reliever before cold exposure if your doctor recommends it. Keep your

💡TL;DR: Yes—stress and anxiety can trigger real asthma symptoms by speeding breathing and tightening airway muscles (see AAFA). About 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma (NHLBI), so planning for stress as a trigger matters. The practical takeaway: add stress steps to your asthma action plan,

💡TL;DR: Most people breathe easier at night by sleeping on their side or with the upper body raised 30–45 degrees. Lying flat tends to narrow the airway and can worsen reflux, snoring, sleep apnea, or fluid-related pressure. A foam wedge ($20–$60) or an adjustable base (often $300+

💡TL;DR: Count each full chest rise and fall for 60 seconds while the person is resting quietly; you only need a timer. A healthy adult at rest is typically 12–20 breaths per minute, and kids breathe faster depending on age. Seek care if an adult stays over 25–

💡TL;DR: Most nebulizer drugs like albuterol and budesonide are prescription-only in the U.S.; the true over-the-counter options are sterile saline (0.9%, 3%, 7%) and a mild bronchodilator, racepinephrine 2.25%. Use OTC options for short, mild symptoms and humidity; don’t rely on them for ongoing asthma