This issue highlights recent research and guidance on predicting, preventing, and managing flare-ups across different conditions. You will see how tools like simple checklists, voice or video apps, and updated treatment plans may help you and your care team catch problems earlier and keep you feeling steadier.

#1 AI tools to predict COPD flare-ups and hospital returns

What’s new: A review of 13 studies found that computer models can often spot which people with COPD are more likely to have a flare-up or return to the hospital soon.

Why it matters:

• Better prediction can help clinics reach out early, adjust inhalers, or plan closer follow-up before breathing suddenly gets worse.
• These tools may work together with home measures like symptom diaries, oxygen levels, and smart inhalers to guide day-to-day care.

Try this: If you live with COPD, ask your clinician if your health system uses any risk scores or digital tools to flag rising flare risk and how you can share home readings, such as peak flow or oxygen levels.

Source: Frontiers in Digital Health

#2 Clear action plans for adult asthma attacks

What’s new: Updated asthma guidance for adults stresses quick use of reliever inhalers and early steroid treatment during an attack, guided by simple breathing tests.

Why it matters:

• Having a written action plan helps you act fast when symptoms rise, instead of waiting until you are very short of breath.
• Knowing when to call your doctor or go to the emergency department can reduce fear and lower the chance of a serious crisis.

Try this: Ask your clinician to review or create a one-page asthma action plan that tells you exactly what to do when your coughing, wheeze, or peak flow changes.

Source: BMJ Best Practice / BMJ

#3 Everyday steps to prevent diverticulitis flares

What’s new: Global experts updated guidance on diverticular disease and found that a high-fiber diet helps protect the colon, while smoking, obesity, and some medicines raise the risk of painful diverticulitis attacks.

Why it matters:

• Simple daily habits, like adding fiber and reviewing pain or anti-inflammatory medicines, can lower the chance of belly pain flares.
• Many mild attacks may be safely managed without routine antibiotics, which helps avoid side effects and resistance.

Try this: Talk with your clinician or dietitian about gradually adding fiber-rich foods, such as beans, fruits, and whole grains, and whether any of your regular medicines increase your diverticulitis risk.

Source: Gut (BMJ)

#4 Spotting scabies outbreaks early in care settings

What’s new: CDC guidance for nursing homes and similar places explains that a new scabies case in a staff member, or unusual rashes without much itching, can be early warning signs of a wider problem.

Why it matters:

• Quick action after the first signs can prevent an uncomfortable, long-lasting outbreak among residents and staff.
• Clear steps for screening, treatment, and cleaning make it easier for facilities to respond calmly instead of in crisis mode.

Try this: If you or a loved one lives or works in a group setting, ask how the facility handles new itchy rashes or suspected scabies and whether there is a written response plan.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

#5 A simple blood test pattern to watch rheumatoid arthritis activity

What’s new: A study of nearly 1,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis linked a certain pattern in standard blood counts with higher joint disease activity above a clear cut-off level.

Why it matters:

• Routine blood tests your doctor already orders may help flag when your arthritis is getting more active, even before you feel a strong flare.
• Earlier changes in treatment could protect your joints and keep pain and stiffness from building up.

Try this: Ask your rheumatology team how they use your regular blood tests to track inflammation over time and whether any recent results suggest you need a closer look at your treatment plan.

Source: Scientific Reports

#6 Calmer skin: New treatment cuts severe itch in prurigo nodularis

What’s new: A clinical trial of a medicine called vixarelimab showed large, dose-related drops in itch and better skin clearing for people with prurigo nodularis, compared with placebo.

Why it matters:

• Less itch and fewer bumps can mean better sleep, less scratching, and fewer sudden skin flares.
• New options bring hope for people who have tried many creams or pills without good relief.

Try this: If you have prurigo nodularis, ask your dermatologist whether any new itch-targeting treatments or clinical trials are available in your area.

Source: JAMA Dermatology

#7 Keeping inflammatory bowel disease in deep remission

What’s new: A review of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis care highlights that aiming for “deep” remission, not just symptom relief, lowers the chance of future flares and long-term problems.

Why it matters:

• Staying on the right maintenance dose of your medicine can prevent quiet inflammation from building up and suddenly flaring.
• Regular checks, like stool tests or scopes when needed, help your team adjust treatment early instead of waiting for a big setback.

Try this: At your next visit, ask your gastroenterologist what “deep remission” means for you and whether your current plan is strong enough to keep inflammation under control between flares.

Source: The BMJ

#8 Voice checks to catch early brain fog in liver disease

What’s new: Researchers used short voice recordings from people with liver cirrhosis to spot early thinking problems linked to hepatic encephalopathy, with good accuracy.

Why it matters:

• Simple speech tests could one day help clinics notice subtle changes before confusion or sleepiness becomes a clear flare.
• Earlier treatment might prevent falls, hospital stays, and loss of independence.

Try this: If you have cirrhosis, talk with your liver team about early signs of brain fog to watch for at home and whether they use any quick screening tests during visits.

Source: npj Digital Medicine

#9 Breast cancer: Added chemo helps prevent return in high-risk cases

What’s new: In women with high-risk, early triple negative breast cancer, adding the drug carboplatin to standard after-surgery chemotherapy improved the chance of staying cancer-free three years later.

Why it matters:

• Better control after the first round of treatment may reduce the stress and health impact of future recurrences.
• Knowing that extra treatment can help some groups allows more tailored plans that match each person’s risk and preferences.

Try this: If you or a loved one has high-risk triple negative breast cancer, ask your oncology team whether carboplatin or similar intensified plans were considered and why your current plan was chosen.

Source: The BMJ

#10 A 90-second video check to flag mental health dips

What’s new: A study showed that a very short video where people answer one open question can help computer models estimate levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress in much less time than standard forms.

Why it matters:

• Fast, easy screening can make it more likely that busy clinics will routinely check mood and stress, instead of missing early warning signs.
• Remote video tools could help people who find it hard to travel to appointments notice when symptoms start to rise.

Try this: If you struggle with mood, anxiety, or trauma symptoms, ask your clinician about simple screening tools you can complete by phone or video between visits to track changes over time.

Source: npj Digital Medicine

Keep in mind

• Every person and every condition is different, so not all study findings will apply to you.
• Flare-up risk can change over time with age, medicines, infections, stress, and daily habits.
• New tools like apps, AI, and blood tests work best when they add to, not replace, your own symptom awareness.
• Before changing medicines, diet, or activity, talk with your clinician about what is safe and realistic for you.
• If you notice new or fast-worsening symptoms, seek medical help promptly rather than waiting for the next routine visit.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is educational and not medical advice. Always talk with your own clinician about questions or changes to your care.