Bronchiectasis can make you very debilitated so it is important to get the balance between keeping it working and being kind to yourself when needed. When I started these, I could only hold my breath for about 5 seconds. Hi Madeline! Of course, it may also be due to the fact that COPD may cause bronchiectasis. Surgery for bronchiectasis is rare. And instead of bronchioles being about a centimetre wide, they become 1.5 centimetres in diameter. Diagnosed about 18 months ago, I’ve been ok until recently. Copyright © 2013-2021 All rights reserved. Chronic respiratory infections or inflammation cause the bronchi to become thick. Hi Chloe, I was very much interested in your response. Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus. Bronchiectasis is serious. Good luck, I am sure that you will be fine and happy running! Dr says I should be good for about 15 years. Some cases of bronchiectasis can’t be prevented; other cases CAN be prevented by getting treatment for lung infections right away. Please email me when you have time. the pulmonologist prescribed Levofloxacin for when I start feeling ill. Once the nebulizer treatment is completed I use the vest and flutter valve. Any time I feel like I am coming down with a cold or have an increase in secretions creating me to cough I go to the salt room. Any advise as to how to clean it up would be great!! Many different things can cause bronchiectasis. He was diagnosed 7 years ago so has been fighting for a long time. I on three inhalers too. This has made a significant difference in my life. I run 4 miles alternative days. These are simple,if a little tiring. I cleaned up my mucus in the afternoon and evening, mostly happening before my lunch and dinner time. Make sure you vaccinate your children against diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Just wondering if you can share more on how you manage your brochiectasis? Cystic fibrosis eventually results in severe bronchiectasis in nearly all cases. I am 70 years old with several breathing and lung issues. If you have a lung condition such as bronchiectasis, stopping smoking will improve your prognosis and reduce your chance of developing other lung damage caused by smoking such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer. If you or your child develop any kind of lung infection, get medical treatment. This is the key difference between bronchitis and bronchiectasis, which helps to distinguish these two conditions. “How the Lungs Work.”, American Lung Association. The result to me means being confined to my bed with breathlessness, rhinitis and lungs filling with infected mucus also a two week antibiotic course that will fail to respond if used too often. Bronchiectasis prevents your lungs from clearing the mucus. I try to do deep breathing but it is not easy. Could you please share how you are doing this would love some advise for my husband we are at our wits end fighting infections. Depending on your case, treatment for bronchiectasis can include: Some steps help prevent the infections and tissue damage that can lead to bronchiectasis. I do it at least 3 times per day.Good luck to all! How did you clean up your mucus?? It is not uncommon to see concurrent mild bronchiectasis in both COPD and asthma. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, there are ways you can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Needless to say, I feel like I’ve got the trifecta of lung disease. Having a chronic lung disease can be frightening and you may not know who to turn to for advice. People with bronchiectasis have good and bad phases. Sometimes I feel shortness of breath, then it goes away. I’m another bronchiectasis sufferer. Repeat this for maybe 30 minutes or whatever is necessary morning and evening. I've been told to avoid being around anyone with colds etc. Eat a Healthy Diet. I was on a regiment of antibiotics for 18 months. For some people with bronchiectasis, energy requirements from food will be higher. The vest helps a lot for removal of mucus plugs. Some adults with bronchiectasis developed symptoms when they were children and live with bronchiectasis for many years. Learn more about causes, risk factors, prevention, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatments for bronchiectasis, and … Your lungs make mucus to trap and remove germs and irritants that you breathe. At some point, you’ll have to deal with an exacerbation, when your condition gets worse. Bronchiectasis (Brong-kee-ek-tuh-sis) and those who want to know more about it. 44,491 members • 51,705 posts. Get help right away if someone’s airways are blocked. The abilities of your lung slowly worsens over years. It has anti bacterial properties which help to prevent the mucus from becoming infected. I’m 61, having an almost normal life, cannot dive but I do long walks and some light sports. This helps. If I zip ask for Z-pac, I have to do office visit and then it’s only for the 5 day Z-pack. I feel much better now and am off meds. Avoid excessive salt, sugar and saturated fat and eat plenty of fiber in the form of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Flare-ups can last days or weeks. I use it in conjunction with breathing excercises, e.g. Breath in and hold breath 4 seconds. However, if you have bronchiectasis and you do smoke, it is very important that you stop smoking. Can be purchased cheaply online from eBay, Amazon etc. Hello John, Hi Cliff, But you can manage it if you listen to your body -- and your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Read more here. Over time, they become scarred, inflamed, and widened. Speak to your doctor about getting annual vaccinations against flu and pneumonia, and avoid spending time with people who are sick with colds, coughs, and the flu. But it’s more common in young boys than in girls. Unnecessary restriction of foods or food groups can increase the risk of weight loss or micronutrient inadequacy. “Bronchiectasis.”, American Thoracic Society. There is no way to prevent congenital bronchiectasis (the kind you are born with). I have bronchiectasis for all my life. You should get all of your childhood vaccines and get your flu shot every year. Hi Madeline. Getting help right away means there is less chance for long-term lung damage.Get vaccinated: to avoid getting some childhood infections. This leads to more infections and inflammation, and scarring in your lungs. Many pills but made sure I took them. Eating healthy can be difficult. Here is another fact to consider. Lie on a Thanks! I do suffer from bronchiectasis just finished 10 days antibiotics It did help some but not completely. Reply (2) Report. I am waiting for results to see if I do in fact have bronchiectasis. In some cases it can be caused by a bad infection, such as pneumonia or childhood whooping cough. We’ve put together a list of tips to help improve your life with bronchiectasis using information from the National Institute of Health. Thes exercises make your lungs and tubes more elastic, less stiff, thus allowing air to go through the system easier. Walking near the sea as often as I can is the very best exercise but the group physio with other sufferers is a problem. I am thrilled to state I have not been on a antibiotic or a steroid for 3 years. A year ago I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Calcium Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are an important source of calcium, which is needed if you have to take steroids. They vary in severity. He has had a number of patients using it with great success. I am 63. Sometimes, patients with bronchiectasis might develop significant bleeding in a portion of their airway, and operations to remove the damaged area and control bleeding may be beneficial. Just wondering how you get on with your inhaler. They then can’t clear out mucus. Smoking will only speed up the progression of bronchiectasis. I too have bronchiectasis. The weight has drastically come down in the past one year.She uses oxygen concentrator. Coughing and shortness of breath are common symptoms of bronchiectasis. CONTENTS. High-frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO), Hypertonic Saline Solution for Bronchiectasis. Plus, bronchiectasis is a progressive disease just like COPD. Bronchiectasis is a condition that causes mucus to collect in your airway. Discover eight interesting facts about the lungs. Signs of this potentially fatal complication. Bronchiectasis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. In bronchiectasis the airways gradually become bigger than they are meant to be. Did your pulmonologist suggest the nebulizer with colloidal silver. I have a dog and walk about 5 miles per day. thx.id. Avoid things that can damage your lungs, like smoke and chemicals. I been lung sick aince I was 7 yrs. But that number goes up to about 1 in every 350 people who are 75 or older. Hi John my name is mel i have bronchiectasis for about 2 year’s i don’t go out no more with all the coughing people look and make remarks,I have 3 inhaler but don’t seem to do nothing, in bed at the moment not feeling to good. Non-dairy forms of calcium include leafy greens, oranges, almonds, and beans. This makes it harder to breathe. I’m thinking of trying medical marijuana thru a nebulizer has anyone tried that yet. Aim to bring your weight to an acceptable level. i have been diagnosed over. Make sure children get recommended vaccinations for illnesses like whooping cough and, Keep an eye on small children to keep them from putting things in their. If you have symptoms of bronchiectasis, your doctor is likely to take a medical history and ask you about the symptoms and overall health. Lollybre33 in reply to Hidden. If you … Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Join Write. It is very uncomfortable but god gave to get through it. Causes behind painful breathing, fluid buildup. I think what I have is mild, don’t really know. Visit Bronchiectasis News Today's profile on Pinterest. Over time, your lungs have to work harder to breathe. Keep an eye on small children to keep them from putting things in their mouth. Breath out.Repeat this 4 times then clear lungs. Goog luck! It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I tried to stay active and I started run, I did my first marathon at 35, I keep doing half marathons and Marathons. This procedure replaces the patient's damaged lungs with healthy ones … You can also be born with a condition that makes it more likely to develop. Herbal Treatment for Bronchiectasis effective way for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. so was I. I had the news 2 weeks ago cold air makes it worse. Both of these things keep mucus from draining the way it should. I also have purchased a nebulizer machine and will utilize 1 cc of saline to keep my secretions thin. What is Bronchitis 3. There’s no cure, but you can live with it for a long time. You’re more likely to get it if you have: See your doctor if you have symptoms of bronchiectasis, especially if you’ve had them for a while. I’ve got to do something to stop these infections. You may have been recently diagnosed with bronchiectasis or have had it for some time, yet often patients and their families have questions, or things they would like to know more about. I’ve had three infections that included blood in the sputum…one in November, one in December, and another now. Two-thirds of bronchiectasis cases are in women. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. That extra mucus can trap bacteria, causing more infections, scarring, and thickening. Took over 2 yrs to get him to Rx a steroidal inhaler, which helps a lot. All rights reserved. About Us; Applications; Changing Screens; Conveyor; Hopper; Model 58B What’s the Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis? I also run too (half marathons not full) – I’m struggling with the shortness of breath and the endless coughing at the moment. Surprised that I know my grandsons, Happy with my life. This means more mucus than usual gathers there, which makes the bronchi more vulnerable to infection. Regular exercise will improve overall health and also help to loosen mucus in the lungs. cleaning nebulisers. Younger people don’t usually get bronchiectasis. So instead of the tiny alveoli being just a few millimetres in diameter, they might be a centimetre wide. old. Diagnosed 18 months ago. Look forward to some help hints to deal with the problem. Damage can be from infection or conditions that injure your airways. However, when people suffer from illnesses adversely affected by diet, finding something nutritious that’s “allowed” can be discouraging. I also use a percussion vest twice a day along with several other nebulizer inhalants.