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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.
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Traveling with Bronchiectasis: How I Minimize MAC Exposure from Water When I travel, I take extra precautions to reduce my risk of exposure to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).  Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)—are a group of bacteria commonly found in water and soil that can be inhaled or aspirated into the lungs.
To stay safe, I either:
The answer lies in two common mechanisms:
We all occasionally micro-aspirate fluids—especially when something “goes down the wrong pipe.” For most healthy people, the lungs can clear these small amounts without issue. But for those of us with bronchiectasis, compromised mucociliary clearance makes it harder to remove aspirated material, which can lead to inflammation and chronic infection. Another risk factor is gastric reflux. Both acid and non-acid reflux can move from the stomach up into the esophagus and airways—especially during sleep. If this reflux contains MAC bacteria from drinking water that wasn’t neutralized by stomach acid, the lungs may be vulnerable to colonization. GERD Precautions to Lower Aspiration Risk If you’re managing GERD or concerned about silent reflux, here are some practical tips that may help:
To lower my exposure to environmental MAC bacteria, I avoid:
According to Dr. Joseph Falkinham, a leading microbiologist and expert on NTM exposure, “MAC thrives in biofilms in household water systems and is resistant to chlorine disinfection.” Finding Balance in Prevention Some bronchiectasis and MAC specialists take a more relaxed view on environmental exposure, suggesting patients avoid “bacteria fixation” and focus on quality of life. Others recommend more proactive strategies, especially for patients with recurrent infections or risk factors like GERD. Your care should be tailored. Talk to your pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist about what’s best for your health and lifestyle. Find support: NTM Info & Research – Find a Doctor 💙 A Reminder Bronchiectasis is a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything at once. Even small steps—like changing your water source or elevating your bed—can make a meaningful difference in reducing risk and preserving lung health. 📌 Helpful Resources: 🚫 What to Avoid:
💡 Pro Tips:
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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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