The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology13 Aug

#170 - When Asthma Peak Week Hits Adults

Most asthma peak week coverage focuses on kids heading back to school. But adults with asthma are just as much at risk, and often don't realize it until they're already in trouble.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by allergist Dr. Ashwin Shankar to talk about why asthma peak week hits adults hard, how normalizing symptoms can quietly put you at risk, and what steps to take before the season catches up with you.

What we cover in this episode about adult asthma peak week

What asthma peak week is, and why fall hits so hard. The third week of September brings the highest asthma-related ER visits and hospitalizations of the year.
Where fall triggers hide. Teachers and school staff face mold in buildings that sat closed all summer, outdoor workers get hit with ragweed and sudden cold mornings, and farm workers stir up mold and dust during harvest.
Why even controlled asthma can slip during peak week. Trigger load stacks up fast this time of year, and a flare during peak week doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.
The adult habit of normalizing symptoms. Skipping hikes, avoiding stairs, or accepting a lingering cough are signs asthma isn't controlled, not just signs of getting older.
How to get ahead of peak week before it hits. Confirm your asthma action plan, track how often you're reaching for your rescue inhaler, and get your flu shot at least two weeks before September ramps up.

Resources

Do You Have an Asthma Action Plan?
A Comprehensive Guide for Asthma Treatments & Medication
10 Ways to Stay Healthy During the September Asthma Peak Week
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma

________

Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to AstraZeneca and Amgen for sponsoring today’s episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(172)

#169 - What a School Nurse Wants Parents to Know About Asthma Peak Week

Every September, doctors see a jump in asthma attacks and ER visits. It's called Asthma Peak Week, and it usually hits the third week of September, right when families are settling into their school r...

6 Aug 41min

#168 - Wildfire Smoke and Your Lungs, What You Need to Know

Wildfire smoke used to feel like someone else's problem. Now it can show up on air quality alerts hundreds of miles from any actual fire, and for anyone with asthma, that hazy sky can mean real troubl...

30 Jul 23min

#167 - How Is Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps Diagnosed and Treated?

Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) is the type that makes up most chronic sinusitis cases. It's often mistaken for allergies, a lingering cold, or migraines, which can delay a proper...

24 Jul 28min

#166 - How Pregnancy and Your Baby's Gut Microbiome Play a Role in Food Allergy Prevention

Food allergy prevention is something most families think about once a baby starts eating. But the gut microbiome begins developing before birth, and what happens during pregnancy matters for the devel...

16 Jul 21min

#165: Gut Microbiome's Role in Food Allergies

You have probably heard the word "microbiome", but what does it actually mean for someone living with a food allergy? Dr. Carina Venter, a registered dietitian, joins us to break down the gut’s role i...

9 Jul 35min

#164 - New Chronic Hives Guidelines: A Look at What's Changing

In this journal club episode, we break down the draft of the Chronic Urticaria Guidelines: 2026 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force (JTF) on Practice Parameters GRADE- and Institute of Medicine-based recomme...

2 Jul 32min

#163 - Understanding Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Hives Demystified

Join Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta as they unpack chronic spontaneous urticaria. Together, they define what hives actually are, explain how CSU is different from an allergic reaction and other types of ...

26 Jun 22min