Ep. 156: Is Your Asthma Worse Than It Should Be? Signs of Uncontrolled Asthma
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Sanofi-Regeneron for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
If you have asthma, there is a good chance you have learned to live around it. You sleep with your inhaler on the nightstand. You skip the walk because you know it will leave you breathless. This is called uncontrolled asthma, and it is more common than you think. But here is the thing: none of that is normal, and none of it is something you have to accept.
Dr. Juanita Mora, allergist and immunologist, joins Kortney and Dr. Gupta to help patients figure out whether their asthma is actually being managed the way it should be, and what to do if it is not.
What we cover in our episode about uncontrolled asthma and how to gain control back
What well-managed asthma actually looks like. Dr. Mora explains what life should feel like when your asthma is properly treated, and why so many patients have accepted a version of their life that is smaller than it needs to be.
Why frequent flare-ups are a warning sign. Why underlying airway swelling is dangerous and why catching it early matters.
The Rules of 2. Five plain-language questions covering daytime symptoms, nighttime waking, rescue inhaler use, inhaler refills, and steroid use that can help you figure out if your asthma needs more attention.
When to ask for a referral. If you are answering yes to any of these questions and your treatment plan is not changing, it may be time to push for a referral to an allergist or pulmonologist who has more tools to help.
First steps you can take with ControlYourAsthma.org. Dr. Mora walks through the campaign website, available in English and Spanish, including videos, the Rules of 2 quiz, and access to a free asthma coach.
About our guest
Dr. Juanita Mora is a board-certified allergist and immunologist based in Chicago, where she leads Chicago Allergy Center. A spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a passionate advocate for health equity in asthma care, Dr. Mora works with patients of all ages and is a key voice in the Control Your Asthma campaign. Follow Dr. Mora on Instagram.
More resources about uncontrolled asthma
Timestamps
Our episode about the signs people should look for that tell them their asthma is not well-managed
04:30 Why asthma control matters
09:22 The Rules of 2
14:15 Next steps after answering yes
18:05 ControlYourAsthma.org and ControlarTuAsthma.org
