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…
When I first started working as a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I thought I had a pretty good handle on asthma. It was something I saw in both kids and adults, and most of the time, it was manageable. Fast forward a few years, and what really caught me off guard was how many of my…
As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing respiratory symptoms can be—especially when they seem to mimic something else entirely. One of the most common questions I get is, “Can asthma cause flu-like symptoms?” It’s a valid concern. You start coughing, feel fatigued, maybe even develop some body aches, and it’s easy to…
If you’ve ever worked a 12-hour shift juggling respiratory assessments and patient education, you probably understand just how complex asthma management can be. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how much people struggle with tight chests, wheezing, and that frustrating feeling of not being able to get a deep breath. Medication definitely has…
As a pulmonary nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how asthma can affect a person’s life, regardless of their smoking habits. One of the most surprising things I’ve encountered is how many non-smokers experience asthma symptoms. You might think asthma only impacts smokers or those with a family history, but that’s far from the truth. Non-smokers can…
When I first heard someone ask, “Is asthma connected to gut health?”, I blinked. I’ve spent years caring for patients with chronic respiratory issues, and while I’ve seen all sorts of triggers for asthma — pollen, cold air, stress — gut health wasn’t something that ever came up in morning rounds. But once I started…
Ever had that sinking feeling in your chest, like someone dropped a brick right on your lungs? Or maybe you’ve felt your heart racing out of nowhere, gasping for air, and just assumed it was your heart acting up. You’re not alone. As someone who’s worked for years as a Pulmonary Nurse, I can’t count…
Can weather pressure trigger asthma? That’s a question I’ve heard time and time again—both at work as a pulmonary nurse and from friends who deal with asthma. And I totally get why it’s such a hot topic. One day the weather’s nice and breezy, and the next, a cold front rolls in, and boom—tight chest,…
If you’ve ever found yourself coughing more during the colder months or noticed your asthma symptoms flaring up every time the heater kicks on, you’re definitely not alone. As a pulmonary nurse who’s spent more than a few winter shifts helping patients manage their breathing, I’ve seen firsthand how asthma triggered by indoor heating can…