Asthma and AltitudeHave you ever taken a trip up to the mountains and noticed your asthma symptoms start to worsen? I know I have. I can remember countless trips up to the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Asthma Inhalers For Cats and Dogs?! YepYep, not kidding. I was recently shopping for a new spacer for my inhaler, and my search showed spacers for cats and dogs. Then I burst out laughing. You see...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
What Can Giving Back Give You?Giving can seem like a one way street. We let go of something that belongs to us - often my money or clothing or food - so that someone in...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
"80% of Care is Provided By Family Members"I had the recent opportunity to hear a wonderful speaker at a conference. Her name is Ai Jen Poo and she is the creator of an entire movement committed to caregivers...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Not Always a Placebo! Types of Clinical TrialsWhen many people think of clinical trials, they may think of testing a new experimental drug or taking a placebo pill. But, not all clinical trials involve treatment! Even among...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What's in Your Asthma Toolbox?This is a question I get asked quite frequently. What’s in your asthma toolbox? People ask me what I recommend that they include in their toolbox. While things may differ...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
High Altitude and AsthmaRecently, we took a trip to Moab, Utah, to hike in Arches National Park and see the world-famous Delicate Arch. The elevation is a little over 4,000 feet which is...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Asthma Subgroups: Severe AsthmaOne of the most recently defined asthma subgroups is severe asthma. It was first defined about 20 years ago. This was when physicians recognized 5-10% of asthmatics did not respond...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Medication ComplianceThe two words that seem to make everyone squirm: medication compliance. The two words apart from each other aren't bad but when they are put together have a negative connotation...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Picking Yourself Up and Carrying OnThere are many phrases I have heard that summarize life as a patient. Some of my favorites are "Being a patient is a full-time job, on top of my full-time...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Are Subgroups, Phenotypes, And Endotypes?Asthma is now considered an umbrella term under which various asthma subgroups fall. Modern terms for subgroups are phenotypes and endotypes. So, what are subgroups, phenotypes, and endotypes anyway? Here...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Is a Clinical Trial Right for Me? 5 Questions to Help you DecideMaking decisions can be tough, especially when they relate to your health! One decision you may face is whether or not participating in a clinical trial is right for you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
4 Nebulizer Tips Worth SharingSo, you have a Nebulizer System. One of the main reasons you have it is to inhale medicine to help you breathe easier. Here are some tips to making sure...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The (Second) Easiest Flu Shot EverSince I was diagnosed with asthma in 2008, I’ve gotten a flu shot every year as recommended. My first flu shot season was, ridiculously, 2009, the year that H1N1 had...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Life Cycle Sessions: They'll Grow Out Of It... Or Will They?This is Part 2 in the Life Cycle Sessions series, providing an overview of research presented at Asthma Canada’s Breathe Easy: The Life Cycle of Asthma conference in Toronto, Ontario, on...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Learning En-Masse: Pre-Life Cycle of Asthma SessionsNot long after booking my flight to Toronto for the Life Cycle of Asthma Conference hosted by Asthma Canada (disclosure below), I checked out the finalized agenda for the conference...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What on Earth is "Hand-Breath Coordination"?When I was first diagnosed with asthma, I went to the pharmacy< and picked up a rescue inhaler. I went home, ready to take some medicine to help me breathe...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Corticosteroid Injections: A Pain in the Butt?Asthma is a pain in the butt, sometimes. Sure, that's probably true for asthma in and of itself, but I'm referring to systemic corticosteroid injections. Those of us with asthma...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
10 Things You Should Know About Clinical TrialsEach year thousands of clinical trials occur. Learning about clinical trials can feel like you are learning a new language. The good news is that there are lots of resources...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Responding to Unsolicited Asthma AdviceOn Friday night I was sitting at home, minding my own business and probably reading something in the Heather Wells series of books by Meg Cabot, when I got visually distracted...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments