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A common search phrase I see related to bronchiectasis is “bronchiectasis and coffee.” And honestly, I understand why.  When you’re first diagnosed with bronchiectasis, the learning curve can feel overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re told this is a chronic condition, and along with that comes a long list of new ways to take care of yourself. You may be advised to perform daily airway clearance, prioritize adequate protein and nutrition, work toward or maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, protect yourself from infections, and, on top of all that, somehow manage stress. That’s a lot. So it makes perfect sense that one of the first questions people ask is whether they’ll have to give up coffee. For many of us, coffee isn’t just a beverage. It’s comfort. It’s routine. It’s a small moment of normalcy in a life that may suddenly feel very medicalized. The short answer is this: most people with bronchiectasis do not need to automatically give up coffee. But, as with many things related to bronchiectasis, the details matter. Why Coffee Comes Up So Often in Bronchiectasis ConversationsCoffee raises questions for a few main reasons. Caffeine is a stimulant, and people worry it might worsen coughing, increase anxiety, or interfere with sleep, all of which can affect respiratory health. Coffee is also frequently discussed in relation to acid reflux and GERD, which are common in people with bronchiectasis. Reflux can worsen cough, increase aspiration risk, and contribute to airway irritation. In addition, hydration matters for mucus clearance, and some people worry coffee may be dehydrating. Because of all this, coffee often shows up on informal lists of “things to avoid.” But here’s the key point: bronchiectasis care is highly individualized. There is no single bronchiectasis diet, and there is no universal rule about coffee that applies to everyone. Coffee, Caffeine, and the AirwaysInterestingly, caffeine has mild bronchodilator properties, and related compounds were historically used in respiratory treatments. For some people, coffee feels comforting, supports morning alertness, and fits naturally into a routine that includes movement and airway clearance. For others, it may increase jitteriness, worsen anxiety-related shortness of breath, or aggravate reflux symptoms. Neither response is right or wrong. It’s simply information. A helpful question to ask yourself is not how you think you should feel after coffee, but how you actually feel. The Reflux Connection (Often the Real Issue)When coffee causes problems for people with bronchiectasis, it’s often not the lungs directly, but the digestive system. Coffee can relax the lower esophageal sphincter in some individuals, thereby increasing the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux. If stomach contents travel upward, especially at night or when lying down, they can irritate the airways through micro-aspiration. Signs that coffee may be contributing to reflux include heartburn, chest discomfort, frequent throat clearing, hoarseness, or a cough that worsens after drinking coffee, particularly on an empty stomach. If this sounds familiar, the solution isn’t always eliminating coffee completely. Often, it’s about timing, quantity, and awareness. Ways Some People Continue to Enjoy CoffeeMany people with bronchiectasis find they can keep coffee in their lives by making small, thoughtful adjustments. Drinking coffee after food rather than on an empty stomach can help. Some people tolerate lower-acid coffee or cold brew better than traditional coffee. Others find that reducing portion size, switching to half-caffeinated coffee, or avoiding coffee later in the day makes a meaningful difference, especially for sleep and reflux control. This isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about noticing patterns and responding to them. Stress, Enjoyment, and the Bigger PictureStress management is an important part of living well with bronchiectasis. That doesn’t only mean breathing exercises or meditation. It also means preserving small rituals that bring comfort and pleasure. If coffee is something you truly enjoy and it doesn’t clearly worsen your symptoms, removing it “just in case” may increase stress rather than reduce it. Quality of life matters. Sometimes the most supportive choice isn’t more restriction, but more awareness. The Bottom Line on Bronchiectasis and CoffeeCoffee is not automatically off-limits if you have bronchiectasis. Your personal response matters more than generalized advice. Reflux, rather than caffeine itself, is often the deciding factor. Small adjustments can go a long way. And preserving enjoyment and routine is part of holistic care.
Living well with bronchiectasis isn’t about giving up everything you love. It’s about learning how your body responds and making informed, compassionate choices. For many people, that still includes a cup of coffee.
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NTMTalk.com is a podcast dedicated to nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and bronchiectasis.  NTMTalk.com is a podcast dedicated to nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and bronchiectasis. Dr. Wendi Drummond, an infectious disease expert, and Dr. Colin Swenson, a pulmonologist, host it. Together, they aim to share accurate, practical, and approachable information for patients, loved ones, and healthcare providers.
What makes it especially enjoyable is their chemistry. A pulmonologist and an infectious disease doctor having thoughtful, honest conversations about bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease. Relatable and reassuring all at the same time. If you’re looking for something meaningful to listen to while walking, resting, or just taking a breath, this is it!! Let’s support this podcast program by sharing it with others. NTMTalk.com What is Bronchiectasis? Airway Clearance, an Interview with a Respiratory Therapist What is NTM? Diagnosis of NTM Lung Disease Treatment of MAC Lung Disease Arikayce, Clofazimine, and More Vest Therapy in Airway Clearance, an RT Interview Exacerbations of Bronchiectasis Mycobacterium abscessus The One About Sputum Dancing in the Rain (mental health) Reflux & Aspiration Hemoptysis, or the Bloody Cough Plus interviews with many of our favorite people and LOTS of questions answered!! Now a new season is underway. Here is Episode 1 of Season 3. Happy Listening‼️‼️ Linda Esposito When you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you quickly learn that planning ahead and working as a team is essential.  I had an early-morning doctor’s appointment, and, as we often do, my husband offered to sleep on the pullout sofa. I gratefully accepted because it meant I could take my time showering and getting dressed in the bathroom off the bedroom. And then I had what felt, at the time, like a brilliant idea. Instead of tiptoeing around the apartment trying to quietly make coffee and toast while he slept, why not have a bedroom picnic? I’d bring the coffee pot into the bedroom, plug in the hot plate, and while I was at it… the toaster too. So we packed everything up. I even grabbed a cooler with ice packs and proudly hauled it all into the bedroom, laughing and feeling like a true team player. Morning comes. I put my coffee up to brew, and then I realize—no coffee cup. I tiptoe out, grab a mug, sneak back in, and drop the bread into the toaster. Just as I was congratulating myself—beep, beep, beep. The smoke detector had other plans. Of course, Tony woke up. Fortunately, he was able to fall back asleep, and once he was fully up later, we had a good laugh about the whole thing. But it also drove home an important point. Anytime you try something new, there are bound to be glitches. And that absolutely applies to travel. That’s why when my clients and I talk about upcoming trips, I always recommend testing anything new ahead of time—whether it’s a device, a system, or a routine. The last thing you want is to discover on the road that you forgot something essential or that your plan just isn’t going to work. A little trial run at home can save a lot of stress once you’re traveling. For a limited time, I am offering a New Year's gift: 10% off an initial consultation and $50 off a coaching package. Let's go!!! Visit www.letsbecleartoday.com/consultations A little trial run at home can save a lot of stress once you’re traveling. Feeling nauseous can stop your day in its tracks. Whether you are experiencing nausea from illness, travel, medication, or post-procedure recovery, you want relief that is fast, safe, and simple.  In a recent Instagram post, Wendi LeBrett, MD (@socalgastrodoc), discusses how certain smells can reduce nausea. These scent-based therapies do not replace medical care, but they can be a helpful tool while you wait for medication to work or when you need gentle support at home. In this blog, I highlight four scents supported by scientific evidence. These include isopropyl alcohol pads, peppermint oil, ginger oil, and lemon oil. All have been tested in various clinical settings and show promise in reducing nausea. Is Smelling an Alcohol Pad Effective for Nausea?The short answer is yes. Smelling an isopropyl alcohol pad is one of the best studied non-medication approaches for nausea. In emergency departments and post-surgical recovery rooms, patients who inhaled the vapor from an alcohol pad reported a noticeable decrease in nausea within one to three minutes. The effect is rapid, and nurses widely use the approach because it is safe, inexpensive, and readily accessible. Researchers believe the strong scent stimulates sensory pathways inside the nose that interrupt the nausea reflex. This type of sensory interruption is what makes alcohol pads especially helpful when nausea comes on quickly. Peppermint Oil for Nausea ReliefPeppermint oil is one of the most studied essential oils for nausea. Multiple randomized trials show that inhaling peppermint oil can reduce nausea in postoperative patients and in people with general medical nausea. Relief is often felt within about five minutes. The cooling and calming effect of menthol appears to influence the vagus nerve, which plays an important role in nausea. Peppermint oil can be used by placing a drop on a cotton pad and inhaling it gently or by using a small personal inhaler. This is a popular option because the fragrance is familiar and well-tolerated. Ginger Aromatherapy and Its BenefitsGinger has a long history as a natural remedy for nausea. Modern clinical trials support its use, especially for pregnancy-related nausea and mild postoperative nausea. In randomized studies, patients who inhaled ginger oil experienced reduced nausea intensity compared with placebo. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols that interact with serotonin receptors involved in the nausea pathway. You can use ginger oil in the same way as peppermint: place one or two drops on a cotton pad and inhale slowly. Lemon Oil for Morning and Mild NauseaLemon oil has been tested in pregnancy-related nausea and has shown benefit in several clinical trials. It provides a bright, clean scent that many people describe as uplifting. Some find it helpful first thing in the morning when nausea can be intense. Lemon oil does not work as quickly as alcohol pads or peppermint oil, but it can help settle the stomach gently. How These Scents CompareIsopropyl alcohol provides the fastest relief based on current studies. Peppermint oil comes next and has strong evidence in postoperative care. Ginger oil is especially helpful in pregnancy-related nausea and can be used throughout the day. Lemon oil is a gentle option that provides a pleasant sensory distraction.
All of these options are generally safe for most people, although individuals with asthma or scent sensitivities may wish to use them cautiously. If your nausea is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is important to speak with your clinician. Your physician needs to send cultures not only for routine respiratory bacteria but also for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and fungi.  Routine cultures alone may overlook significant contributors to ongoing inflammation, airway damage, and recurrent infections.
Many people assume that a “negative sputum” means everything has been checked, when in fact only standard bacteria were tested. Without additional orders, the lab will not automatically screen for NTM or fungi. One important example is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). ABPA is a known cause of bronchiectasis and can worsen existing disease by driving chronic airway inflammation. It is more commonly recognized in countries such as India and in certain parts of Europe, yet many patients in the United States go undiagnosed for years. This often happens simply because the appropriate tests are not being ordered. Unless a clinician specifically requests Aspergillus-related testing, neither blood work nor fungal sputum cultures will be performed. A thorough evaluation for ABPA and other fungal-related contributors should include several key components: • Blood tests for Aspergillus-specific IgE and IgG, which indicate whether the immune system is reacting strongly to Aspergillus. • Total IgE levels, which are often significantly elevated in ABPA. • A complete blood count to assess eosinophils, a type of immune cell that rises in allergic or inflammatory airway conditions. • Sputum cultures for fungal organisms, including Aspergillus species, to determine whether fungi are present in the airways. • Chest imaging, especially high-resolution CT scans, which can show patterns characteristic of ABPA such as central bronchiectasis or mucus impaction. Taken together, these steps provide a much clearer picture of the underlying causes of a person’s bronchiectasis. Identifying ABPA, NTM, or fungal infections early can prevent worsening airway damage and allow for more targeted treatment. For many patients, this broader testing is the missing piece in understanding why their symptoms persist despite standard treatments. Why Your Voice MattersIn the past, I have shared how important it is for our community to participate in interviews and surveys.  Sometimes these opportunities are part of FDA requirements that help move potential treatments forward, and other times companies simply want to learn directly from us so they can better understand our needs and improve future care. I know it is the holiday season, and many of us are busy with shopping, decorating, and making our homes feel festive and cozy. But please take a few minutes, just as I did, to complete the short survey and see whether you may be a good fit for this patient panel opportunity. If you qualify and complete a survey or interview, you will be paid for your time. A little extra money during the holidays can go a long way. Your voice truly helps shape the future of bronchiectasis and NTM care. Thank you for being such an important part of this community. 💙🩵💙 Patient Panel OpportunityKnowVanta, a market research company, in partnership with Rare Patient Voice, is looking for people who have been diagnosed with:
What You Can Expect Opportunities include:
Earn 25 to 125 dollars for each survey or interview, depending on length. Participants will be asked about their diagnosis, symptoms, and experiences with treatment and care. These paid opportunities are seeking your opinions and are not intending to promote or sell you anything. All information shared will remain confidential. How to ParticipateIf you are interested, click below. The screening process takes about five to eight minutes to complete.
Link to use: http://ntmbe.knowvanta.com 🌿 Educate. Participate. Advocate. 🌿 |
AuthorLinda Cooper Esposito, MPH is a health educator with bronchiectasis. She developed the BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis and writes with compassion and humor about this chronic lung disease. Archives
January 2026
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