Did You Know That Asthma is a Disability?When I was asked recently, "Is asthma a disability?", I didn't expect to find out the answer is yes. I mean, I've been living with asthma my entire life of... By Kathi MacNaughton3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Obstructive VS Restrictive Lung Diseases (Where Does Asthma Fit In?)If you do a Google search you’ll learn there are two categories of lung diseases. They are obstructive and restrictive. So, what do these terms mean? Where does asthma fit... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Atypical AsthmaWhether you are new to the asthma world or a seasoned veteran, you may have heard the phrase “atypical asthma” used here and there and maybe aren’t sure what exactly... By Theresa Cannizzaro, Respiratory Therapist2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments14 comments
Managing Asthma Through the WinterIf you have allergic asthma, you might think the winter would be your best season. No pollen in the air and the outdoor mold spores so prevalent through the fall... By Kathi MacNaughton5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Essential Oils For Asthma: Separating Myth From FactHave you ever wished for a "more natural approach" to treating your child's or your own asthma than potentially harmful man-made medications? I know I have. Have you ever considered... By Kathi MacNaughton6 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Allergic to Ragweed? An Increasingly Common Sugar Substitute Could Be Problematic, Too.My friend Lynne recently posted on Facebook that she found herself having significant allergy symptoms after consuming protein shakes sweetened with stevia. After chatting with her doctor and having some... By Kerri MacKay3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
What Are Mediators Of Inflammation? Part 1Asthma is an "Abnormal Immune Response." Your immune cells recognize one of your asthma triggers and immediately releases chemicals. Many of the chemicals are called mediators of inflammation. They "mediate"... By John Bottrell, RRT2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Yearly (?) Occurrence: Replacing Your SpacerI know, I know, I know. That’s my thought on the maintenance of spacers or valved holding chambers. Also, technically speaking they’re not the same thing and I know that... By Kerri MacKay2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Late Phase Asthma AttackEarlier I explained how asthma is an abnormal immune response. I showed how this abnormal immune response makes your body sensitized to asthma triggers. I explained what happens during the... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The King of Rescue Inhalers: Part 2Earlier I explained how I was the King of Rescue Inhalers. Here’s how I discovered how this was not so true. That, in fact, there were those who had it... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Moving to a Drier Climate to Improve Asthma? Look out for Valley FeverOne of the questions I get asked often in my work is “Will moving to another state help my asthma?” The answer is, maybe. When I moved to California from... By Lorene Alba, AE-C3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Links Between Dehydration And AsthmaDehydration is not typically listed as an asthma trigger. But, based on my own experience, I am convinced there is a link between dehydration and asthma. Research linking the two... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Can we PLEASE stop COPD shaming?When asthma and COPD come up in the same conversation, I’ve often heard “I didn’t cause my disease” spill out the mouth of someone with asthma. To put it bluntly, I’m... By Kerri MacKay2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Asthma and Hot Showers – The DangerI never really considered that my love for hot showers to soothe my fibromyalgia aches could turn into a problem for my asthma. But the tables ended up turning on... By AWorkman2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Burned out Taking Care of Asthma?Caregiver burnout is pretty common. It can affect you emotionally, mentally, and physically. WebMd says: "Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need, or if they try... By Andrea M. Jensen CHES AE-C2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
New Job, No Problem!I ascend the stairs sandwiched between two escalators. It’s the most efficient way to get around campus—we often discussed in Physical Activity: Promotion and Adherence how few people take the... By Kerri MacKay2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Knowing Your BoundariesGood asthma control is the goal of any asthma treatment program. It should allow you to do all the things you enjoy. But, you also need to know your limits... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Asthma in My HeadWake up. Some mornings, my brain begins to scan my body—specifically, my lungs. Instinctually. Others, I don’t feel the existence of my lungs; don’t think about my asthma until I... By Kerri MacKay3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments8 comments
To Call or Not to CallSomething a lot of asthmatics struggle with is knowing when to call your doctor. When your asthma symptoms are starting to act up or when you aren't sure about your... By Theresa Cannizzaro, Respiratory Therapist2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments10 comments
When Should You Take Your Child to the ER for Asthma?This is always a scary time, and as mom to three kids with asthma, we had a lots of trips to the hospital when my kids were little. They were... By Andrea M. Jensen CHES AE-C3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments