Ever since the early waves of the pandemic, I’ve seen a noticeable uptick in patients struggling with a strange new pattern: lingering respiratory issues weeks—sometimes months—after recovering from COVID-19. What’s been especially concerning is how many of these folks also have a history of asthma. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve had dozens of these…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause shortness of breath? If you’ve ever worked in rheumatology—or lived with RA yourself—you’ve probably heard this question more than once. As a nurse practitioner in the field, I’ve had countless patients bring this up, usually after a flare-up or a bout of unexplained fatigue. It’s not something we always associate with…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years working as a pulmonary nurse practitioner, it’s that managing asthma with minimal medication is not only possible—it’s often a game-changer for patients who feel overwhelmed by their prescriptions. I’ve seen so many folks who are tired of taking multiple inhalers or steroids every single day, and…
Is asthma always linked to allergies? That’s a question I get asked almost weekly in clinic — and honestly, it’s a great one. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner who’s spent years helping patients manage their breathing, I’ve seen just how confusing the connection between asthma and allergies can be. Some people wheeze and cough every…
When I first started practicing as a pulmonary nurse practitioner, one of the most common questions my patients asked—especially as the seasons started to shift—was this: “Why does my asthma get so much worse in the cold?” If you’ve ever noticed your asthma symptoms triggered by cold air, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, it’s…
Can asthma cause sore muscles? You’d be surprised how often that question comes up, especially from patients who’ve been struggling with a flare-up or those newly diagnosed and confused by all the unexpected symptoms. As a Pulmonary Nurse, I’ve heard this more times than I can count—and let me tell you, it’s not a silly…
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the asthma and dehydration connection. As a Pulmonary Nurse, I’ve seen countless patients come into the ER wheezing, gasping, and completely confused as to why their asthma flare-ups seem to come out of nowhere. What’s wild is, a lot of these same patients are also…
Can asthma cause sleep disturbances? If you’re anything like the countless patients I’ve cared for as a Pulmonary Nurse, you’re probably nodding your head. I’ve had more late-night calls, panicked ER visits, and early morning check-ins related to this exact concern than I can count. Nighttime is when the body is supposed to be resting,…
Managing asthma as an adult can be exhausting. Trust me—I’ve been in the trenches with patients gasping for breath, feeling like they’re drowning in air. It’s tough. And while inhalers and steroids definitely have their place (no shade there!), many people are now looking for natural asthma remedies for adults—a more holistic way to breathe…