The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: #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 routines. Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined again by Liz Elliott, a nurse administrator in school health services for Montgomery County, Maryland, and a returning guest from our food allergy episode. This time, Liz answers the questions parents ask most about asthma at school, from what actually happens during a flare to whether their child's inhaler needs to be with them or in the health room. What we cover in this episode about Asthma Peak Week from the school nurse perspective Can my child self-carry their inhaler? The rules on self-carry, and why kindergartners and teenagers are handled differently. Does the school have stock rescue inhalers (albuterol)? What stock albuterol is, and what happens if your child's own inhaler isn't there yet. What happens if my child has a flare at school? Learn the protocol that is in place if your child experiences an asthma attack, and what happens for kids who experience their first asthma flare. Signs of asthma parents might miss that their child's asthma is not under control. Nighttime awakenings and an "asthma cough" can all be early warning signs. Closing the gap between home and school. Why the plan your provider signs has to match what's sent to school, and what to bring on day one. More resources Allergy & Asthma Network: How to Avoid the September Asthma Peak Allergy & Asthma Network: Asthma Action Plan Allergy & Asthma Network: Managing Asthma at School Allergy & Asthma Network: School Resources Listen: Ep. 135: Food Allergies in School, A School Nurse's Perspective CDC Asthma School Resources NASN Asthma CPG and Toolkit __________ 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.

   August 06, 2026·42min
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   Number 2: #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 in food allergies. She explains what the microbiome is, how it connects to the immune system, and what families can realistically do right now to support a healthier gut. What we cover in this episode about gut health and food allergies What the microbiome actually is. Understanding the bacteria living in your gut, why diversity matters, and what happens when that balance gets disrupted. The connection between gut bacteria and food allergy. Research consistently shows that children with food allergies have lower levels of two key bacteria, and that gap may affect how the immune system responds to food. Leaky gut and ultra-processed foods. What leaky gut actually means and research on emulsifiers. Should you be taking probiotics? Which strains have the most research behind them, what to look for on the label, and why diet diversity may matter more than any supplement. Practical steps for families. From a diverse diet to when to use supplements. About our guest, Dr. Carian Venter: https://www.carinaventer.com/ __ This podcast is made in partnership with the Allergy & Asthma Network

   July 09, 2026·36min
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   Number 3: #171 - Rescue Inhaler Changes in the Newest Asthma Guidelines

   For decades, the rescue inhaler was simple: feel tight, take a puff, breathe easier. But the newest asthma guidelines have changed what's actually recommended inside that inhaler, shifting away from plain albuterol toward a combination inhaler that treats symptoms and inflammation at the same time. Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Bill McCann, allergist and CEO of Allergy Partners, to break down why this combo inhaler approach is now preferred, what it actually contains, and why auto-refilling your old rescue inhaler might be working against you. What we cover in this episode about rescue inhalers Understanding asthma: the boiling pot analogy. Dr. McCann explains asthma inflammation using a pot of water on the stove, and why a bronchodilator alone never turns down the heat. Why a combo inhaler is now preferred. The newest guidelines recommend a single inhaler containing both a fast-acting bronchodilator and a low dose of anti-inflammatory steroid. AIR and MART, explained simply. Two ways doctors are using this combo inhaler: either as-needed only, or as a daily plus as-needed routine. The myth of "mild" asthma. Why intermittent or infrequent symptoms don't mean you're free from risk. The auto-refill trap. Why an automatic pharmacy refill on your old rescue inhaler can quietly hide worsening asthma control from your doctor. More resources GINA 2026 Strategy Report (official source) What is asthma? Listen to the BATURA Trial ________ Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network. Thanks to AstraZeneca 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.

   August 21, 2026·43min
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   Number 4: #162 - JAK Inhibitors for Eczema: A non-steroidal option

   Treatment options for eczema have come a long way, with many new non-steroidal choices. One type is the JAK inhibitor, which offers two things people have long wanted: a non-steroidal option and a more advanced option that, unlike a biologic, does not require injection. Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta sit down with returning guest Dr. Nicole Chase, to break down what a JAK inhibitor actually is, how the pill and cream versions differ, how JAK inhibitors compare to biologics, and what to know about safety. They also cover what is new, including a topical JAK now approved for children as young as two. What we cover in this episode about JAK inhibitors for eczema What eczema really is. How JAK inhibitors work. Pills versus creams. JAK inhibitors versus biologics. Safety and side effects. Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network. Thanks to Incyte for sponsoring today’s episode. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

   June 18, 2026·42min
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   Number 5: #142 - Inside Allergy & Asthma Network: Education, Advocacy, and Patient Voice

   Allergy & Asthma Network has spent more than four decades helping people living with asthma, allergies, and related immune conditions navigate care, access trustworthy education, and make their voices heard. In this episode, we talk with Lynda Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. Lynda shares how becoming a food allergy and asthma mom in the early 1990s shaped her career and led her into patient advocacy work. We get into how Allergy & Asthma Network supports patients and families through four mission pillars: education, outreach, advocacy, and research. What we cover in our episode about Allergy & Asthma Network Trusted Messengers and culturally responsive education, and why information is more effective when it comes from people who reflect and understand the community Free virtual asthma coaching, and how one-on-one self-management education helps people improve daily asthma control and reduce emergency care Patient voice research, what it is, how it differs from clinical trials, and why diversity in clinical trial participation matters Advocacy efforts like Capitol Hill Day and PALI, and how patient stories influence laws and policies that affect asthma and allergy care Ways to get involved, including resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers who want to support or participate in Allergy & Asthma Network’s work More resources about Allergy & Asthma Network Allergy & Asthma Network Sign-up for the Allergy & Asthma Network’s Newsletter Get involved with clinical trials and research More about the PALI information session (February 18, 2026) Advocacy information Virtual asthma coaching program (free asthma self-management education) *********** Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

   January 30, 2026·28min
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