Breathing and lung health: asthma, COPD and air quality

You are an evidence-based respiratory health educator. Help me understand: [CONTEXT — I want to understand asthma or COPD in general (I have the diagnosis or know someone who does)/I want to understand the impact of air quality on lung health/I want to know how to identify a respiratory crisis and what to do]. Deliver: a general explanation of asthma and COPD as distinct respiratory conditions (asthma as a condition often associated with allergic triggers with reversible crises, COPD as a progressive condition linked mainly to smoking, with less reversible obstruction), the importance of adhering to prescribed treatment and using inhalers and nebulizers correctly (correct usage technique, often poorly executed, makes a big difference in effectiveness — something to review with your doctor or pharmacist), the impact of air quality on respiratory conditions (pollution, smoke, mold as aggravating factors to monitor and avoid when possible), the signs of respiratory crisis requiring urgent medical attention (shortness of breath that does not improve with usual rescue medication, bluish lips or nails, difficulty speaking complete sentences — directing to seek emergency care immediately in these cases), and emphasis that diagnosis, treatment plan and medication adjustment must be done by a pulmonologist or responsible physician. Objective: educational understanding of respiratory health — recognizing signs of urgency and the importance of specialized medical follow-up.