🫁 Episode 22: Rescue Medications vs. Maintenance Inhalers – When to Use What 📅 Release Date: September 6, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. Understanding the difference between rescue inhalers and maintenance inhalers is essential for anyone managing asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung conditions. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Matt Young, RRT—CEO of BluZone Health and SY Resp—to break down how these medications work, when to use them, and how to avoid common mistakes. Together, we’ll empower you to take control of your lung health with knowledge and confidence.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots 👤 Special Guest: Matt Young, RRT | CEO of BluZone Health & SY Resp

🫁 What We Cover in This Episode:

Rescue Medications (Quick-Relief Inhalers): • What they are and how SABAs like albuterol and levalbuterol provide fast relief • When to use them—whether during sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, or before exercise • Key differences between SAMAs and SABAs • Why these are not designed for long-term daily control

Maintenance Medications (Long-Term Controllers): • How inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation over time • The role of long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs, LAMAs) in keeping airways open • Combination inhalers—who needs them and why doctors prescribe them

Proper Use & Common Mistakes: • Best practices for inhaler technique, including the use of spacers and nebulizers • Why rinsing after steroid inhalers matters • How to maximize medication effectiveness and avoid common errors

When to Talk to Your Doctor: • Recognizing signs your current inhaler plan may not be working • Tips for managing side effects • The importance of peak flow monitoring and pulmonary function tests

If you or someone you love relies on inhalers, this episode with guest Matt Young, RRT is full of practical strategies, expert insights, and encouragement to help you breathe easier every day.

🎧 #cozylungloungepodcast #asthmaawareness #copdmanagement #respiratorytherapy #bluzonehealth #breathebetter #lunghealth #asthma #copd #inhaler #meditation #shortnessofbreath #allergies #corticosteroids #bronchodilators

🫁 Episode 21: Understanding Asthma – From Basics to Advanced Treatments 📅 Release Date: September 30, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. September coming up and is notorious for asthma flare-ups and triggers, making it the perfect time to dive deep into this important topic. In this episode we will explore everything from the fundamentals of asthma to cutting-edge treatments that are shaping the future of care.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots 💬

🫁 What We Cover in This Episode:

Asthma Basics: • What asthma is and how airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction affect breathing • Common symptoms and everyday triggers that can worsen asthma • Why an Asthma Action Plan is essential for long-term management

Standard Treatments & Lifestyle Tools: • Quick-relief medications like rescue inhalers • Daily controller options, including inhaled corticosteroids, LABAs, and LAMAs • Environmental and lifestyle modifications that make a real difference

Advanced & Emerging Therapies: • Biologic treatments such as Dupixent, Xolair, Nucala, and Fasenra • An inside look at bronchial thermoplasty—who qualifies and how it works • Future directions in asthma care and what’s on the horizon

If you or someone you love lives with asthma, this episode is packed with knowledge, hope, and practical steps to help you breathe easier.

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #AsthmaAwareness #AsthmaManagement #RespiratoryTherapy #BluZoneHealth #BreatheBetter #LungHealth

🫁 Episode 20: The COPD Athlete – Featuring Russell Winwood Release Date: August 20, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. In this inspiring episode, we're joined by a truly remarkable guest—Russell Winwood, also known as The COPD Athlete. Diagnosed with COPD and still conquering Ironman triathlons and marathons, Russell shares how he continues to live an active, purpose-filled life with chronic lung disease.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots | Amy Sheldon 💬 Featuring Special Guest: Russell Winwood Russell is an endurance athlete, long-time COPD advocate, and host of The COPD Wellness Podcast. He’s passionate about showing others how healthy lifestyle choices and a proactive mindset can transform life with a chronic condition.

🫁 What We Cover in This Episode:

A Journey Like No Other: • Russell opens up about his COPD journey—how it began, and what it took to keep moving forward • The moment he knew it was time to call the doctor and seek answers

Living Well With a Diagnosis: • How being diagnosed with COPD impacted his personal life and relationships • What helped him stay focused and motivated despite the challenges

Advice from the COPD Athlete: • Words of encouragement for anyone facing a similar diagnosis • The power of goal-setting, mindset, and finding the right support

Tools and Tactics That Help: • From respiratory equipment to mental resilience—what made the biggest difference for Russell • How education and advocacy fuel his mission to help others

💻 Learn more about World COPD Day Big Baton Pass: https://copdbatonpass.org/

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #COPDAthlete #COPD #ChronicIllness #PulmonaryRehab #Active #COPDAdvocate #BluZoneHealth #BreatheBetter #Lung Health

🫁 Episode 19: Surgical Solutions with Joni Colle Release Date: August 6, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. In this episode, we’re unpacking the world of surgical options for chronic lung disease—breaking down complex procedures into clear, easy-to-understand conversations.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots | Amy Sheldon 👩‍⚕️ Featuring Special Guest: Joni Colle Joni is a Respiratory Therapist and Registered Nurse who has spent much of her career in Pulmonary Rehab. Now coordinating the Lung Reduction Program at SIU Cardiothoracic Surgery in Springfield, IL, she joins us to talk about advanced treatment options like Lung Volume Reduction Surgery and Zephyr Endobronchial Valves.

🫁 What We Cover in This Episode:

When Surgery Becomes an Option: • Lung cancer, COPD (emphysema), bronchiectasis • How and when surgery is considered

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS): • What it is and how it benefits severe emphysema • Eligibility criteria and comparing risks vs. benefits

Minimally Invasive Options: • Zephyr valves and other bronchoscopic procedures • How they work and who they’re best suited for

Lung Transplantation: • When transplants are considered for end-stage lung disease • COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and more • Single vs. double lung transplant and key challenges

Other Surgical Interventions: • Pleurodesis, pleurectomy, and lung resections • Diaphragm plication for diaphragm paralysis

Choosing the Right Path: • Factors influencing surgical decisions • The value of a team-based, personalized approach • What recovery and quality of life can look like

💻 Learn more or find help at: getcopdhelp.com 🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #SurgicalOptions #LungHealthMatters #COPDTreatment #ZephyrValves #LungReductionSurgery #BluZoneHealth #PulmonaryRehab #ChronicIllnessSupport #LungTransplant #BreatheBetterLiveBetter

🛁 Episode 18: Showering and Personal Care With Breathlessness

Release Date: July 30, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. In this episode, we’re getting personal—literally. Episode 18 dives into one of the most common, yet rarely talked about challenges for people with chronic lung conditions: taking care of yourself when just getting clean feels exhausting.

From navigating steam and shortness of breath to managing balance and energy, we’re sharing real-world, practical tips that can make showering, dressing, and daily hygiene feel easier, safer, and less overwhelming.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots | Amy Sheldon

🛁 What We Cover in This Episode:

Why Is This So Hard? • The effects of steam, heat, and standing on your breathing • The toll of fatigue during routine care • Safety concerns like slipping or falling

Simple Tips That Make a Big Difference: • Use a shower chair or bench to sit while bathing • Adjust the water temp and boost bathroom ventilation • Choose gentle, unscented products to reduce irritation

Bathroom Modifications for Safety & Ease: • Install grab bars and non-slip mats • Use handheld showerheads and keep essentials within reach • Consider smart layout changes to reduce bending and reaching

Dressing & Grooming Made Easier: • Try adaptive tools like sock aids and button hooks • Sit to dry off and dress—throw on a large robe and take your time • Energy-saving ideas for brushing hair, oral care, and shaving • Bring back the bonnet dryer—hands-free and easy to use!

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #BreathlessButClean #EnergyConservationTips #PulmonaryWellness #BluZoneHealth #COPDLife #ChronicIllnessSupport #ShowerSmart #OxygenUsers #BathroomAccessibility #BreatheBetterLiveBetter

🌬️ Episode 17: Pulmonary Function Testing – Know Your Numbers 🌬️ Release Date: July 20, 2025

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Cozy Lung Lounge, your go-to podcast for respiratory health—brought to you by BluZone Health. In this episode, we dive into the essential topic of Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs) and why knowing your numbers can be a game-changer for managing your lung health. 📊🫁

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with a chronic lung condition for years, understanding your test results—like FEV1, FVC, DLCO, and more—can help you better navigate your care and advocate for your needs.

🎙️ Podcast Hosts: Amy Sheldon | Gina Hoots | Kelly Welton-Lewis

🫁 Topics Covered:

• The basics of PFTs: what they are and how they work
• Spirometry: the “speed test” for your lungs
• Key measurements explained (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, lung volumes, DLCO, and more)
• Specialized tests: methacholine challenge, FENO, ECO
• Interpreting your MyChart results: normal vs. abnormal patterns
• What your numbers can tell you about obstructive, restrictive, and mixed lung diseases
• When to follow up with your primary doctor or a lung specialist
• How to improve lung function through medication, rehab, and lifestyle changes
• Why tracking your numbers over time is essential for long-term care

💡 Why Listen? Understanding your pulmonary test results helps you take control of your health. This episode breaks down complex numbers into clear insights—empowering you to be an informed and confident part of your care team.

📣 Key Takeaway: “No matter where you are in your lung health journey, understanding your numbers gives you power over your care.”

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes packed with tools, insights, and encouragement to help you breathe better and live stronger.

📲 Connect with BluZone Health: Website: https://bluzone.health Instagram: @bluzone_health Facebook: @respiratoryrehab LinkedIn: BluZone Health X/Twitter: @bluzonehealth

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #PulmonaryFunctionTesting #KnowYourNumbers #LungHealthEducation #BluZoneHealth #SpirometryExplained #RespiratoryWellness #PulmonaryRehab #TrackYourHealth #BreatheBetterLiveBetter

🌬️ Episode 16: Taking a Stand (and a Breath): Life and Advocacy with COPD - With Guest Phyllis DiLorenzo 🌬️ Release Date: July 6, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, proudly sponsored by BluZone Health. In Episode 16, we welcome the inspiring Phyllis DiLorenzo—a retired social worker, devoted family woman, and passionate COPD advocate. 🫁💛

Diagnosed with COPD nine years ago, Phyllis has become a powerful voice within the COPD Foundation community, working tirelessly alongside fellow patients and staff to drive awareness, support, and change.

🎙️ Podcast Hosts: Amy Sheldon | Gina Hoots | Kelly Welton-Lewis

🫁 Topics Covered:

• Phyllis’s personal health journey—from first symptoms to her life today
• The impact of COPD on her relationships and daily life
• What she wishes she’d known at the start of her diagnosis
• The tools and people that helped her most
• Insightful advice for others living with COPD and chronic lung conditions

💡 Why Listen? Whether you're navigating your own COPD diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or advocating for better care, Phyllis’s story will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action. Her warmth, honesty, and determination shine through every word.

🙏 Thank you, Phyllis, for sharing your story and for your unwavering commitment to the COPD community.

🔔 Subscribe for more real-life stories, breathing tips, and resources for pulmonary wellness.

📲 Connect with BluZone Health: Website: https://bluzone.health Instagram: @bluzone_health Facebook: @respiratoryrehab LinkedIn: BluZone Health X/Twitter: @bluzonehealth

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #COPDJourney #PhyllisDiLorenzo #COPDAdvocate #BluZoneHealth #PulmonarySupport #BreatheBetterLiveBetter #LungHealthMatters #COPDFoundation #ChronicLungDisease

🫁 Episode 15: Exercise Essentials – Your Guide to Moving Safely with a Lung Condition 🫁 Release Date: June 20, 2025

Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, brought to you by BluZone Health. In Episode 15, we’re diving into the essential role exercise plays in managing chronic lung conditions—and how to do it safely and confidently. 💪🏽🫁

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or just looking to stay active, this episode is packed with clear guidance on how to get moving without compromising your health. And if you’re wondering how much is too much, or what types of exercise matter most, we’ve got you covered.

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots | Amy Sheldon (Plus: Kelly’s got some thoughts on making balance training way cooler than it sounds.)

🫁 What We Cover in This Episode:

🔹 First Things First: Talk to Your Doctor Just diagnosed? Ask about an in-person, Phase 2 Pulmonary Rehab program. Only a small percentage of patients are referred—so be proactive! If a program isn’t available, get medical clearance before starting any exercise routine.

🔹 Why Exercise Matters: • Strengthens your heart and improves circulation • Boosts lung function and reduces breathlessness • Builds muscle, balance, and flexibility • Supports metabolic health and weight management • Improves mood, focus, and emotional well-being

🔹 The Big 4: Exercise Types that Matter 🏃‍♀️ Aerobic (Cardio) – 150 minutes/week of walking, cycling, swimming 🏋️ Strength Training – 2–3x/week with light weights or bands 🧘 Flexibility Training – Stretch or do yoga daily 🧍 Balance Training – Crucial for fall prevention, especially with age

💬 Thinking About Exercising at Home? • Get physician approval for your plan • Create a safe, functional space (resistance bands, weights, treadmill, or even milk jugs!) • Find a workout/accountability partner • Plan for emergencies • Consider your oxygen needs—know how to tell if you need more O2 and what steps to take • Explore online support like Right2Breathe for connection and motivation

🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #ExerciseEssentials #LungHealthFitness #PulmonaryRehabSupport #BluZoneHealth #COPDExercise #AsthmaActivity #BreatheMoveThrive #OxygenAndExercise #Right2Breathe #StayActiveStayStrong