It seems like all Congress does lately is fight. They don't seem to get any actual work done as neither side can agree on legislation.  But it was interesting to see that the Senate Health, Education and Labor (HELP) committee was investigating high price inhalers. In January, the HELP committee had contacted all 4 manufacturers of inhalers to ask why inhalers cost so much more in the US than they do in other countries. They gave a few examples: Advair costs $319 in the U.S. - but only $26 in the U.K. QVAR costs $286 in the U.S. - but only $9 in Germany. Combivent Respimat costs $489 in ..read more

    How could a fall possibly affect asthma? You might be surprised.  I had a bad fall last week and was injured enough that I needed to go to Urgent Care.   I was in a lot of pain and noticed that I was breathing hard and fast. From teaching asthma education for the last 15 years, I know that an asthma trigger can be strong emotions (such as anger, laughing, crying, surprise, fear, anxiety, etc) I was fearful that I had broken my arm and would need a cast. I knew that if I didn’t get my breathing under control, I would have an asthma attack. So I focused on belly bre ..read more

  Have you heard of pulmonary rehab? It's a supervised exercise and education program created to help people with long term lung diseases.  Most programs are held at hospitals or outpatient clinics. The sessions are held 2- 3 days for several weeks. Sometimes they will offer in home help. Who will be helping you? A long list of professionals such as: respiratory therapists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists or social workers, dieticians, spiritual advisors and of course  - doctors.  Since everyone with asthma (or other lung diseases) are ..read more

  Do you want to learn more about asthma?  And want to learn from the best people in the profession? You're in luck! There is a national certification for asthma education in the U.S. It's a tough exam (in my opinion). It took me 3 hours, cost $350, and has a low pass rate. I studied hard and passed the exam in 2016. It's also a voluntary certification.  So those who take and pass the exam do so because they are passionate about asthma education and evidence based care.  What is the certification?  The Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) is managed by the National Board ..read more

There are many things that can mimic asthma.  Last month, I wrote about how Vocal Chord Dysfunction (VCD) can mimic asthma. When you have a chronic cough, most people assume that you have asthma. But what if it's not asthma?  What if it's something more serious?  Have you heard of radon?  What is Radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into buildings (homes, schools, businesses, churches, etc.) People hear the phrase "colorless, odorless gas" and think of carbon monoxide. That is another dangerous gas - and it can kill you quickly.  Radon is radioactiv ..read more

   There are many things that can mimic asthma, and Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) is one of them. What is VCD? VCD is when your vocal cords close (when they should be open).  It can cause symptoms that are the same as asthma, and that's why it can be hard to tell if it's VCD or asthma Symptoms include: Coughing Wheezing Hard time breathing   Sounds like asthma, right?! Other symptoms are: Hoarse voice Throat feeling tight  Voice changes My daughter Kitty had a rough year. Her asthma was off the charts, and nothing seemed to help. Albuterol didn't help, predni ..read more

  I hate going to the pharmacy and having them say, "Your total is going to be $350 - is that okay?"  NO, it's not okay! This happened to me last week. I know that means they haven't entered the coupon code for my inhalers.  When Asthma Doc sends this year's prescriptions to the pharmacy, she will enter a coupon code. However, she told me that my chain pharmacy has been instructed to NOT enter coupon codes.  Not sure why they refuse to process the coupon code, but I will be switching to a local pharmacy now.  Coupons for inhalers Many people don't know that the compa ..read more

 Many people have been waiting for years for this new Albuterol inhaler!  What makes this inhaler such a big deal? This new inhaler has TWO medicines in it: 1. Albuterol- this medicine helps relax the smooth muscle bands that wrap around the outside of the small airways in the lungs 2. Budesonide - this medicine is a corticosteroid (works like an anti-inflammatory) to reduce the swelling in the lungs The reason this is important is that most people rely on an Albuterol inhaler when they have an asthma attack, but it's only a Bandaid approach (because it doesn't help the swelling in ..read more

 Asthma is a tricky disease. It changes over time, especially as age and hormones change. When boys are younger, they are more likely to end up at the doctor's office, ER, or even be hospitalized thanks to asthma.  Once puberty hits, rates switch to women having higher rates of doctor visits, ER visits, and being hospitalized for asthma.  1/3 of women will also have asthma flares just before their period. Which is concerning that some women can plan on having an asthma flare once a month... Women seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to asthma. Cleveland Clinic ..read more

 Life is unpredictable  My college aged daughter was having some medical problems and was unable to drive herself to the hospital, so I took drove her there and stayed with her It's always amusing when moms of young kids tell me that I'm so lucky that my kids are "all grown up and they don't need me anymore" ?  Most parents don't stop being a parent when their kids turn 18. Granted, there may be parents who do tell their kids that they are on their own when they finish high school....... But I have tried for years to keep my kids alive (literally). My three kids have had a com ..read more