Although the term “lifestyle medicine” was first used as the title of a symposium in 1989 and of an article in 1990, its concept is not new. The towering figures in medicine: Huang Ti (2698-2598 BCE), Hippocrates (460-377 BCE) and Ibn Sina (980-1037CE) had the credit to link the natural effects of diet, lifestyle, emotion and environment with the preservation of health. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, a well proven primary source of the global burden of chronic diseases, are among the leading risk factors for increased disability-adjusted life years around the world. While, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease augument each other, COPD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea have a common pathophysiology and are known to coexist leading Flenley to coin the term “Overlap Syndrome” ,in 1985. Behavioral therapy on each modifiable item, including diet and weight management, physical activity, smoking, sleeping pattern, stress and mood states have all been evaluated in the present study.

Stethoscope, the foundational clinical tool of medical profession, has been found to be a potential disseminator of infections in the healthcare settings (HAIs). Unfortunately, despite recognition of magnitude of the problem, its disinfection is an under-recognized, under-scored and grossly overlooked issue. The three life savior words “Wash your hands” were uttered, for the first time, by Hungarian Obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) at the podium of The Vienna Medical Society’s lecture hall on the historic day of May 15, 1850. Today, adequate hand hygiene has been recognized to be the single most important, feasible, doable, and least expensive tool in reducing the increasing toll of HAIs and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. However, efficacy of such a program would be undermined if the healthcare workers (HCWs) continue using unclean stethoscopes which have been found to harbor the same pathogens as on the hands of HCWs. WHO’s “Clean Care is Safer Care” guidelines promote hand hygiene before touching a patient. Likewise, the stethoscopes should be disinfected “before use on each patient”. The resultant synergistic effect would prevent the dissemination of identical pathogens among patients and the care of “clinician’s third hand” would certainly reduce burden of HAIs in healthcare settings.

COPD is a highly incapacitating global public health problem, with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations and usually associated with significant concomitant chronic diseases. With enhanced understanding, it has extensively been reported as a complex, heterogeneous and dynamic disease affecting patients’ health beyond pulmones. Depression, with prevalence of 322 million people, is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. In various epidemiological and clinical studies, its prevalence among patients with COPD varies from 18% to 80%. This deadly duo leads to excessive health care utilization rates and costs including increased rates of exacerbation, sub-optimal adherence to prescribed medications, increased hospital admissions, longer hospital stays and increased hospital readmissions. Moreover, there is increased risk of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, and suicidal drug overdose. It is a pity that, in significant cases, the co-morbidity remains under-recognized and under-treated. The impact of prevailing COVID 19 pandemic, on the dual burden of COPD and depression, and possible remedial measures including “The 6 ways to boost one’s well-being-by Mental Heath UK, “The Living with the Times” toolkit--by WHO” and innovative add-ons like Dance Movement Therapy and Musical Engagement Therapy have been discussed.