Your Health In Mind with Michael Storm and Dr. Dean Lloyd, July 22, 2026 Hour 1
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“The Quality of your Breath”
“The quality of your breath.”
There has been a lot of smoke in the west and elsewhere, I will be discussing:
1. Chest congestion: is the feeling of heavy, tight airways caused by excess mucus and inflammation, usually from a cold, flu, or allergies. To clear your lungs, stay hydrated to thin the mucus, use a Cleveland Clinic Chest Congestion home remedy like steam or a humidifier, and try controlled coughing to clear secretions.
Actionable Home Remedies Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and hot tea to thin thick, sticky mucus so it is easier to cough up.
Inhale Steam: Take hot, steamy showers or breathe in vapor from a bowl of hot water to loosen lung secretions.Use a Humidifier: Place a cool-mist vaporizer in your room to soothe irritated airways.
Sleep Elevated: Prop your head up with extra pillows at night to prevent mucus from pooling and to ease breathing.Controlled Coughing: Sit upright, lean forward, and take a deep breath. Hold for a few seconds, then force the air out with two or three short, sharp coughs (a “huff”) to move the mucus up.
When to See a Doctor
While many cases clear up on their own, consult a medical provider if your symptoms worsen or if you experience severe symptoms like chest pain, high fever, or wheezing.
Questions:
How many days have you been feeling congested?
Do you have any other symptoms, like a fever, sore throat, or body aches?
Does your congestion make it difficult to breathe or speak in full sentences?
2. Asthma (a chronic lung disease that causes the airways (bronchial tubes) to become inflamed, swollen, and narrow. This makes breathing difficult and can trigger symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath)
Common Symptoms
Persistent cough producing clear, white, or discolored mucus
Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breatheShortness of breath
Chest tightness or discomfort
Mild fever or body aches (often present in acute bronchitis due to a cold or flu)
and bronchitis (bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are the main airways that carry air to and from your lungs. The inflammation causes swelling and excess mucus buildup, leading to persistent coughing, wheezing, and chest discomfort. It is categorized into two main types: acute and chronic) often occur together, a condition commonly called asthmatic bronchitis. Asthma is chronic airway inflammation, while bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes usually caused by viruses or irritants. Together, they cause severe coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
Acute BronchitisAcute bronchitis is a short-term condition that usually develops from a cold, flu, or other respiratory virus.Duration: Symptoms typically last for one to three weeks.Symptoms: Include a persistent cough (often with yellow or greenish mucus), wheezing, low fever, and fatigue.Treatment: Because it is usually viral, it is often managed at home with rest, hydration, humidifiers, and over-the-counter cough medications. Antibiotics are generally not effective unless a doctor confirms a bacterial cause.Chronic BronchitisChronic bronchitis is a long-term, ongoing condition and is a major type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Definition: It is characterized by a daily productive cough (mucus-producing) that lasts for at least three months out of the year, for two consecutive years or more.Causes: Primarily caused by long-term exposure to airborne irritants that damage the lungs, most commonly cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, dust, and chemical fumes.Treatment: Management focuses on quitting smoking, avoiding irritants, using prescribed inhalers (such as bronchodilators), and in some cases, pulmonary rehabilitation or supplemental oxygen.
If you are experiencing severe breathing difficulties, a high fever, or a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, you should consult a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like pneumonia.
3a. Shortness of breath, medically known as dyspnea, is the uncomfortable feeling of not getting enough air, struggling to catch your breath, or feeling tightness in your chest. It can range from mild after exertion to a severe, frightening sensation at rest.
Common CausesBreathlessness is not a diagnosis itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. The most frequent causes stem from:
Heart Conditions: Conditions like heart failure, heart attacks, or arrhythmias can cause the heart to pump less effectively, leading to fluid backup in the lungs.
Lung and Airway Disorders:
Asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) restrict airflow or gas exchange in the lungs.Other Factors: Anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells), severe anxiety, panic attacks, and obesity can also make it difficult to breathe.
When to Seek Immediate
HelpShortness of breath should always be treated with caution. Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room if your breathlessness is accompanied by:
Sudden or severe difficulty breathing.
Chest pain, tightness, or pressureBluish or grayish skin, lips, or fingernails.
Dizziness, confusion, or fainting
Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
3b. Trouble breathing—medically known as dyspnea—is the subjective feeling of breathlessness, chest tightness, or the inability to get enough air. It indicates that your body is working harder than usual to breathe or that vital organs aren’t receiving enough oxygen.
What It Feels Like Because it is a subjective sensation, the meaning can vary from person to person. You might experience it as: A feeling of suffocation. Chest tightness or heaviness. The need to force a deep breath or gasp for air. The feeling that breathing requires exhausting, hard work. Common Causes -Trouble breathing is usually a symptom rather than a diagnosis itself.
The most frequent causes are rooted in your heart or lungs, including:Lung & Airway Conditions: Asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pneumonia, or respiratory infections like COVID-19.
Heart Conditions: Heart attacks, heart failure, or heart rhythm problems.Other Factors: Anxiety/panic attacks, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), or severe obesity.
Hummmmmmmmmin
! Dean !
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