This issue highlights encouraging new research and guidelines about predicting, preventing, and managing flare‑ups in everyday life. Each item includes a simple step you can discuss with your care team. Small, steady changes can add up to better control and more confident self‑care over time.

#1 COPD: earlier action after just one flare

What’s new: The 2026 GOLD COPD update says that even one moderate flare should be treated as a warning sign and can be a reason to step up daily treatment and vaccines.

Why it matters:

• Taking a flare seriously early on can lower the risk of more severe breathing problems later.
• Staying up to date with flu and RSV vaccines may reduce infections that trigger COPD flare‑ups.

Try this: If you have COPD and had any flare that needed steroids, antibiotics, or an emergency visit in the last year, ask your clinician whether your daily inhalers or vaccine plan should be updated.

Source: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)

#2 Asthma: simple signs that your risk is rising

What’s new: A NICE asthma quality indicator lists clear red flags that mark people at higher risk of future asthma attacks and who may benefit from a MART inhaler plan.

Why it matters:

• Needing 6 or more blue (reliever) inhalers in a year, or 2 or more steroid tablet courses, can signal that your asthma is not well controlled.
• Emergency visits or hospital stays for asthma in the past year also raise your future risk.

Try this: Count how many blue inhalers and steroid bursts you have used in the last 12 months and bring this number to your next visit to ask if a MART plan is right for you.

Source: NICE

#3 Diabetes in pregnancy: clear guidance for safer weeks ahead

What’s new: WHO released detailed guidelines on caring for women with diabetes in pregnancy, with 27 recommendations on food, activity, sugar targets, and medicines.

Why it matters:

• About 1 in 6 pregnancies worldwide are affected by diabetes, which can raise risks for both mother and baby if not well controlled.
• Structured checking of blood sugar and tailored treatment can prevent many short‑term problems during pregnancy and birth.

Try this: If you are pregnant and have any type of diabetes, ask your maternity team how often you should check your blood sugar at home and what your personal target range is.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

#4 Metabolic syndrome: habit‑based routines that stick

What’s new: A 2‑year trial found that a 6‑month, group‑based lifestyle program focused on small daily habits helped more people put metabolic syndrome into remission and keep it there.

Why it matters:

• Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but it can improve with steady lifestyle changes.
• Practical goals like more daily steps, brief brisk walks, and eating more vegetables proved workable for many adults.

Try this: Pick one habit to practice every day for the next two weeks, such as a 10‑minute brisk walk after dinner or adding a vegetable to lunch, and track it on paper or in your phone.

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine

#5 Chronic kidney disease: closing the awareness gap

What’s new: A large US study showed that about 1 in 7 adults have chronic kidney disease, but only a small share know they have it.

Why it matters:

• Early kidney problems often cause no clear symptoms, yet catching them early can slow or prevent later kidney failure.
• Simple blood and urine tests can pick up changes long before you feel unwell.

Try this: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are over 60, ask your clinician when you last had your kidney function and urine checked and what the results mean.

Source: JAMA Cardiology

#6 Multiple sclerosis: long‑term stability on ozanimod

What’s new: Long‑term follow‑up of people with relapsing multiple sclerosis on ozanimod showed very low relapse rates over about five years for many participants.

Why it matters:

• Knowing that a treatment can stay effective for years can ease worry about sudden relapses.
• Sticking with a well‑tolerated, stable medicine may help maintain daily function and plans.

Try this: If you have MS and are stable on your current medicine, ask your neurologist how your recent MRI and relapse history compare with long‑term study results and whether any changes are needed.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis Journal

#7 Psoriasis: protecting your biologic from hidden triggers

What’s new: A study of over 36,000 people with psoriasis found that taking antibiotics, especially many courses, was linked to a higher chance of stopping their biologic treatment.

Why it matters:

• Antibiotics can disturb the body’s bacteria balance, which may affect how well some skin treatments keep working.
• Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics may help your current psoriasis plan work better for longer.

Try this: If you are on a biologic for psoriasis, talk with your clinician before starting antibiotics and ask whether they are really needed and how to watch for any change in your skin control afterward.

Source: JAMA Dermatology

#8 Lupus and other episodic illness: planning for work on flare days

What’s new: Interviews with women living with lupus described how hidden pain and sudden flares affect their jobs and showed the value of flexible, flare‑aware workplaces.

Why it matters:

• Being able to adjust hours or tasks during a flare can reduce stress and support both health and career goals.
• Open, planned conversations with employers can lower the pressure to “look well” while feeling unwell.

Try this: If you live with a condition that flares, write down what you can and cannot do on a bad day and bring this to a trusted manager or HR contact to explore simple adjustments.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

#9 Diabetes medicines: lowering stomach side‑effects with semaglutide

What’s new: Researchers created a simple model to spot which people starting semaglutide for type 2 diabetes are more likely to have stomach problems such as nausea or vomiting.

Why it matters:

• People with prior stomach disease, regular alcohol use, or certain other diabetes pills were more likely to have these side‑effects.
• Knowing this ahead of time can guide slower dose increases and closer follow‑up, so more people can stay on a helpful medicine.

Try this: Before starting semaglutide, tell your clinician about any past gut issues, your alcohol intake, and all your medicines, and ask about starting at a lower dose or increasing more slowly.

Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology

#10 Mental and brain health: practical guidance for common conditions

What’s new: WHO’s updated mhGAP guide offers 48 recommendations to help non‑specialist clinicians recognize and manage conditions like depression, psychosis, epilepsy, dementia, and alcohol and drug use problems earlier.

Why it matters:

• Clear checklists and care steps can help primary care teams act before a crisis develops or symptoms worsen.
• People in areas with few specialists can still receive structured, evidence‑based support closer to home.

Try this: If you are receiving care for a mental or neurological condition, ask your primary care clinician if they use mhGAP or similar tools and how you can recognize early warning signs between visits.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

Keep in mind

• Everyone’s body and situation are different, so not every study or guideline will fit you in the same way.
• Use these ideas as starting points for conversation, not as one‑size‑fits‑all rules.
• If you notice new or worsening symptoms, or worry about a flare, contact your clinician or local health service promptly.
• Before changing medicines, activity level, or diet, talk with your care team so you can adjust safely.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is educational and not medical advice.