 People ask me how I managed to clear a MAC infection without antibiotics. My response is always the same: there's no secret! I've detailed everything in my book, "The BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis."
The BE CLEAR Method focuses on seven self-care areas that can help manage bronchiectasis: 1. **Breathing Practices** 2. **Exercise** 3. **Clearance of Airways** 4. **Laughter** 5. **Eating and Drinking** 6. **Alternative Care** 7. **Relaxation, Rest, and Sleep** The first letter of each of these steps forms the acronym "BE CLEAR," representing a practical and achievable approach to better health. I'm fascinated by the process of creating new habits. James Clear, in his book "Atomic Habits," shares the story of a cycling coach for the British team. Before his tenure, the team wasn't winning races. By making small, incremental changes in areas like bike maintenance, clothing, exercise, diet, and sleep, he transformed their performance, leading to multiple Tour de France victories. The BE CLEAR Method follows a similar holistic approach. Unlike a race, our goal is to achieve optimal health while living with a chronic condition. There's no rush to master all seven steps at once—this isn't a competition. Instead, focus on an area that interests you and gradually develop supportive habits. Over time, you can address other areas that need improvement. Eventually, you'll build a robust self-care program that may help slow the progression of lung disease. This method has been effective for me. While I can't claim to be "cured"—as these lung bacteria are persistent—I'm pleased with how I feel and confident in my management of bronchiectasis. It's important to note that this self-care approach should complement traditional medical care. Always consult your medical team before making changes to your current practices. You can find "The BE CLEAR Method" book on Amazon. http://tinyurl.com/f8j27mny #bronchiectasis #beclear #beclearmethod #yeswecan #bronchiectasisbook
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 If I were stranded on a deserted island, my ideal companion would be Judy Schloss, a respiratory therapist and the Clinical Manager at Monaghan Medical Company. I would choose Judy for several reasons. First of all, as an experienced respiratory therapist, she could help keep my airways clear. This is assuming my equipment was lost at sea during the shipwreck. But it's not just her professional expertise. She's also resourceful and one of the best problem-solvers I know. Living on a farm, she's adept at handling challenges—like transporting chickens in her car—and could easily fend off feral pigs on the island. And perhaps even capture one for dinner. Most importantly, Judy is genuinely nice. Over the years that I've been a consultant for Monaghan Medical, I've come to cherish our monthly talks where she updates me on airway clearance advancements and answers my questions. Whether discussing community issues or my personal health concerns, Judy is always supportive. Recently when I had Covid and needed to regain my voice for a bronchiectasis video series, she was my go-to. She calmed me down and suggested some practical solutions. Judy is an “all-in” person, and over the last several years has become an expert in bronchiectasis and NTM diseases. In the attached photos, you can see her standing in front of co-authored research at the 6th World Bronchiectasis Conference in New York City, with Dr. James Chalmers (aka Dr. Bronchiectasis) at the 7th World Bronchiectasis Conference in Scotland and proudly displaying a name tag ribbon she made to spark discussions about NTM lung disease at a respiratory care conference. As we celebrate Respiratory Care Week in October, I want to honor Judy Schloss for her dedication and big heart. Thank you, Judy, for always taking the time to answer questions from our BE community and for being a good friend. #WorldneedsmoreRTs #RespiratoryCareWeek #RCWEEK24 #RespiratoryTherapist #JudySchloss #MonaghanMedical #AirwayClearance #Bronchiectasis #NTMDisease #LungHealth #RespiratoryHealth #WorldBronchiectasisConference #RRT  Dr. Jakko van Ingen, a leading microbiologist and NTM expert, is dedicated to finding treatment solutions for those of us living with MAC and M. abscessus. As the head of the Mycobacteriology Reference Lab at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, he's at the forefront of research and treatment development. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. van Ingen at the 2023 World Bronchiectasis Conference in New York. I was impressed by his passion and expertise; he's not only a brilliant scientist but also a genuinely friendly and engaging person. One of his latest projects involves looking at bacteriophages (phages) for their potential use in treating a fast-growing NTM called M. abscessus. By collaborating with existing phage banks, Dr. van Ingen is working towards expanding the available resources and accelerating research in this promising area. Stay tuned for more about Dr. van Ingen's groundbreaking work with hollow fiber models! #NTM #bronchiectasis #science #research #healthcare #microbiology #bacteriophages #Mabscessus #innovation #phages #treatment #health #medicalresearch #lunghealth #phagetherapy #RadboudUniversity #Mycobacteriology #NTMinfections #bronchiectasisawareness #medicalscience #publichealth #NTMninja  Mamma Mia! Wait until I tell you this story…
A couple of weeks ago, I recorded videos with two incredible people: Dr. Tim Aksamit from the Mayo Clinic and the new Assistant Director of Bronchiectasis and NTM, Alyssa Dittner, BS, RRT. My biggest concern was whether I would have a voice. Many of us with bronchiectasis experience hoarseness but additionally, I was battling a virus, a low-grade fever and brain fog.😱😱😱 Adding to the drama, Alyssa lost power at home and had to use her phone as a hotspot on her porch to moderate the discussion. When her phone died, she rushed to a nearby coffee shop for Wi-Fi. Throughout all this, Dr. Aksamit was our island of calm, reassuring us that we would do a fine job—because that’s just who he is. We managed to pull it off, though I'm hesitant to listen because I'm sure I sound like a frog.🐸🐸🐸 Those of us living with chronic illness know that we often tackle challenges when we're not at 100%. But if it's important to us, especially when helping others, we rise to the occasion. Here is Medlive, the producer of the event’s announcement: 📣 Coming 9/30! Don't miss this important discussion on non-cystic fibrosis #bronchiectasis (#NCFBE) 🫁 Join us for these #PatientEducation sessions as a #pulmonologist & a patient with NCFBE explore recognition & diagnosis, management strategies, & emerging therapies 👏 Register now ➡️ https://bit.ly/4gvXiO9 Please sign up now!! I need your support!💜🩵💙 #Bronchiectasis #ChronicIllness #HealthJourney #PatientEducation #Pulmonology #HealthcareHeroes #Resilience #OvercomingObstacles #HealthAdvocacy  Did you know that in 1981, during an assassination attempt, a bullet punctured President Reagan's left lung? After surgery, he faced complications, including coughing up blood. Reagan credited his recovery to the excellent care from respiratory therapists. In their honor, he established Respiratory Care Week, celebrated the last week of October.
As this week approaches, I invite you to share stories about how a respiratory therapist (physiotherapist) has helped you manage bronchiectasis. Whether in-clinic or via video call, your experiences matter. Many in our community express frustration over limited access to respiratory therapists for airway clearance. Often, U.S. health insurance doesn't cover such education, leaving nurses to instruct on airway clearance. However, if your physician is hospital-based, you might have had a better chance of meeting with a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Let's celebrate the RRTs active in bronchiectasis care and advocate for more support. As a top BE doctor says, "The three pillars of bronchiectasis management are airway clearance, airway clearance, and airway clearance!" Email me at [email protected] to connect and share your story. #RespiratoryCareWeek #RonaldReagan #LungHealth #RespiratoryTherapists #Bronchiectasis #AirwayClearance #physiotherapist #physio  BE CLEAR with Bronchiectasis’ YouTube Channel is celebrating 14 months of bringing you valuable information about bronchiectasis and lung infections! 🎉
Over 70 videos and 30,000 views later, we're thrilled to have reached this milestone. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has subscribed to the BE CLEAR Channel, watched the videos and engaged with the content. Your support means the world to me.❤️ I’m passionate about providing accurate and accessible information about bronchiectasis, especially for those in areas with limited resources. Knowing that my videos are helping people understand this condition and navigate their health journey fills me with determination to continue advocating for EVERYONE!!💪🏽🩵💪🏽 I have a goal of reaching 900 subscribers by the end of 2024. If you have a Gmail account and have not already subscribed, please consider doing so. It would be a tremendous boost to the BE CLEAR channel and improve our placement and visibility.👀 Also, PLEASE SHARE videos in support groups and on Instagram and Facebook. Together, we can continue to raise awareness, share helpful resources and empower those living with bronchiectasis. Your support is invaluable‼️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you again for being part of the BE CLEAR community!💜🩵💙 CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE BE CLEAR WITH BRONCHIECTASIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW! #bronchiectasis #lunginfection #youtube #channel #milestone #thankyou #community #support #LindaEsposito #BeClear #TheBeClearMethod #TheBeClearYouTube #BeClearYouTube #BeClearWithBronchiectasis  Did you have a chance to listen to the 2024 7th World Bronchiectasis Conference summaries? If not, let me entice you with this research that was shared by Drs. Shteinberg and Chalmers!!
Dr. Rick Boucher, an American researcher, highlighted a critical aspect of bronchiectasis. He explained that, unlike most organs that receive oxygen through blood supply, the dilated lung tubes in bronchiectasis get their oxygen directly from the airways. When mucus obstructs these airways, it cuts off the oxygen supply, leading to cellular damage and adverse effects on lung function. This obstruction exacerbates the production of mucus, creating a vicious cycle of reduced oxygen supply and increased mucus production, which further blocks the airways and increases inflammation. Understanding this cycle underscores the importance of daily mucus clearance to manage BE and prevent further lung damage. Even if we don’t cough up sputum, doing airway clearance might unblock air passages and improve oxygen getting to our cells. Click now to listen!! https://bronchiectasis-patient.org/?page_id=17 #Bronchiectasis #LungHealth #AirwayObstruction #MucusClearance #LungFunction  Hi Bronchi-family!!🩵💙 They say good things take time and my quarterly newsletter is a testament to that! While it might appear effortless, crafting each edition takes about 10 hours – including a two-hour session with my technical consultant, Terrific Tania🌺. This dedication translates to a high open rate and click-through rate, meaning you're getting valuable and engaging content directly in your inbox. Want to join the hundreds of happy subscribers? Click here to sign up!! Let's support one another and make learning fun! Subscribe today and become part of our growing BE CLEAR community.✨ With gratitude and determination🩵💪🏽, Linda Esposito #beclear #beclearmethod #newsletter #blog  Dr. PJ McShane often praises hypertonic saline for its benefits, and I find myself agreeing with her enthusiasm. Recently, while feeling under the weather, I opted for nebulizing isotonic saline (0.9%) in addition to my usual 7% hypertonic saline.
Isotonic saline matches the salt level of our bodily fluids, unlike the higher salt in hypertonic the 3% and 7% solutions commonly prescribed in the U.S. Hypertonic saline is often favored for its antimicrobial properties. However, during the World Bronchiectasis Conference in Dundee, Scotland, a researcher shared intriguing findings: 0.9% saline was more effective at killing bacteria than some antibiotics they tested. This challenges the belief that only hypertonic is antimicrobial. Research on this topic is limited, so we rely on available data. However, it might be reasonable to suggest if on occasion higher concentrations feel harsh, consider using isotonic .9 saline. This might not compromise germ-fighting capabilities as much as we thought and be gentler on the airways. Remember, this information is for educational purposes. Always consult your healthcare provider before altering your treatment plan. #HypertonicSaline #IsotonicSaline #Nebulization #Bronchiectasis #RespiratoryCare #Healthcare #PatientCare #SalineScience #AirwayClearance #Nebulizing #Nebulizer #Nebulising #Nebuliser  I'm still in awe of my Oransi HEPA air purifier❤️‼️It's been a lifesaver since the company gifted it to me during the NYC wildfires.
I was initially hesitant about adding another appliance to our apartment, but I'm so glad I changed my mind. This little guy has been a workhorse, capturing a ton of dust and even a mysterious feather! 🪶 I've already replaced the filter once, and it was full of dust. If you're looking for a way to improve your indoor air quality, I highly recommend getting an air purifier. Do you have an air purifier in your home? Thinking about it? #Oransi #AirFilter #IndoorAirQuality #NYCWildfires #CleanAir |
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
September 2024
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