COPD

💡TL;DR: Shortness of breath when you lie flat is called orthopnea and it usually points to a heart or lung issue that needs checking. If it eases when you sit up or you need two or more pillows to sleep, schedule a medical visit; sudden or severe symptoms are

💡TL;DR: A NIOSH‑approved N95 respirator that seals well is the best protection for wildfire smoke. Expect to pay about $1–$3 per disposable N95, while reusable P100 respirators cost roughly $30–$150 and replacement filters $8–$20 per pair. Cloth or simple surgical masks won’t protect you

💡TL;DR: Rhonchi are low, snoring-like sounds from mucus in the larger airways and often clear after a cough. Crackles (rales) are brief popping sounds from fluid or stiff air sacs and usually do not clear; wheezes are high, musical whistles from narrowed small airways. Use lung sounds as clues,

💡TL;DR: The fastest way to calm a cough is a 30-second sequence: briefly hold your breath, switch to small nose breaths, and sip water. Most coughs from colds settle in 1–2 weeks without prescriptions; quick home fixes cost $0–$10 (water, honey, lozenges), while a bedroom humidifier runs

💡 TL;DR: Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) scars and narrows the lungs' smallest airways, causing a persistent dry cough and breathlessness that typically begin 2–8 weeks after a big exposure (vape chemicals, toxic fumes, certain illnesses). It is rare but serious and usually doesn’t respond well to quick‑

💡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: COPD has 4 stages based on how much air you blow out in 1 second (FEV1) after a bronchodilator: ≥80% (mild), 50–79% (moderate), 30–49% (severe), and <30% (very severe). GOLD 2024 also groups people by symptoms and flare-up risk (A, B, E) to fine-tune treatment.

💡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