Outdoor activities are usually a summer staple. It's great to be outside, but record-breaking heat requires protective strategies to keep things fun, fit and safe.

Could it be mind over matter? Getting relief from many asthma symptoms may be as simple as believing you are taking a treatment that will help.

"I couldn't breathe, I could barely walk, and felt like I was going to collapse or pass out when I did." "I can't stand but for a couple minutes, or walk very far that I am not gasping for breath." "Everything feels like it’s a hill I have to climb, but don’t have the energy, and breath to do it. I am really trying to have a more positive attitude, maybe I need a swift kick in the butt!" All of these individuals - writing on a patient support forum  - are talking about what it's like for them to live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

If you are one of the 17.5 million adults or 7.1 million children in the U.S. who suffer from asthma, keeping up with all the most recent research and news can be dizzying.