 TIRED ALL THE TIME? No energy for airway clearance? READ THIS!!
Our bodies are constantly in a state of flux, with tissues breaking down and being rebuilt. To maintain this process, a steady supply of building materials - amino acids derived from protein - is essential. Think of protein as the body’s spackling material. Just like patching holes in a wall requires putty, our bodies rely on protein to repair damaged tissues. For individuals with chronic inflammation and frequent infections, the need for repair is even greater. Without sufficient protein, the body resorts to breaking down existing tissues for its amino acid needs. Beyond muscle building, protein plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions. It supports tissue and cell repair, produces immunoglobulins and antibodies to fight infection, and fuels metabolic reactions like digestion for energy production. Additionally, protein forms the building blocks of hormones (like insulin), provides structure (bones, collagen), balances fluids and pH levels, and even transports nutrients (blood sugar, cholesterol) throughout the body. If your diet regularly includes meat, fish and eggs, you may not need to significantly increase your protein intake. However, during the day it’s crucial to spread out your protein consumption to ensure a continuous supply for optimal body function. Fasting or restrictive diets are not recommended when dealing with chronic inflammation and infections. Skipping meals or relying primarily on fruits, vegetables, and grains won’t provide the necessary protein for repair. A certified dietician nutritionist can help you determine your optimal daily protein intake. Ideally, seek out someone specializing in lung disease who understands the extra burden on your body from compromised respiration and recurrent lung infections. Research local nutritionists within your health plan network. Virtual consultations are also an option with specialists like Michelle MacDonald, @winknutrition (Instagram) who is a supervisor at National Jewish Health and also has a consulting business. Do not change your current practices without first consulting your medical team. #bronchiectasis #chroniclungdisease #protein #lunghealth #COPD #cysticfibrosis #immunity #stayhealthy #wellness #betterlunghealth #chronicillness
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 ⭐️Why Maintaining a Healthy Weight is Crucial for Successfully Managing Bronchiectasis⭐️
In this coming week we’ll delve into how to add protein to our diet. But first, let’s revisit why staying in a healthy weight zone is critical for those with bronchiectasis (BE). A BMI below 18.5: This is considered underweight and linked to a poorer prognosis for BE patients. For example,someone who’s 5’4” and weighs 108 lbs has a BMI of 18.5. Underweight Risks: People with BE who are underweight are more prone to: *Frequent acute exacerbations (flare-ups) *Reduced lung function *Increased systemic inflammation *Higher rates of chronic infections This means restrictive diets lacking dairy, low in carbs, and devoid of sweets, might be counterproductive, causing inflammation instead of fighting it. The Importance of Proper Nutrition When our body lacks the calories and nutrients needed for strong immunity, it can’t function optimally. It’s like asking for overtime work without additional pay (food)! As nutritionist Michelle MacDonald emphasizes, “if we don’t eat, our body will eat us.” This can lead to: *Muscle breakdown (including breathing and heart muscles) *Shortness of breath *Difficulty pumping blood, leading to fatigue and hindering daily activities *Malnourishment impacts all organs, tissues, and bones. It can cause: * Brain fog * Severe constipation and bowel impaction * Increased risk of bone fractures ⭐️Low BMI and Hospitalization: A low BMI is linked to a higher risk of hospitalization. ⭐️Eligibility for Treatment: Being underweight can exclude you from potentially life-saving surgeries or clinical trials. For instance, the ARINA-1 Phase 2 trial (nebulizing a solution with glutathione) required a BMI exceeding 18 for participation. Has this information shed light on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight? Take Action: Discuss a weight-gain plan with your medical team. Don’t delay – it’s crucial for your well-being. #bronchiectasis #NTM #NTMlung #DisorderedEating #EatingDisorder  Silvia was my friend even though we never met in person. She contacted me years ago when she had a misunderstanding with someone online. What this person didn’t know about Silvia was that English was not her first language and writing was a challenge for her.
Over the years we exchanged dozens of texts. Often, Silvia would send me gifs with a bunny or bird saying “Good Morning” or “Nitey Nite.” A deeply religious woman, Silvia drew strength from her faith and her many hospitalizations never made her angry. I learned how to be a more patient person from her grace. Unfortunately, Silvia had difficulty gaining weight. She weighed 95 pounds and over the years, with new infections and a surgery, continued to lose weight. She showed some concern, but rather than focus on eating more, she preferred to discuss supplements and air purifiers. When my book came out I sent her a copy and reviewed the chapters on nutrition and airway clearance with her. She admitted to having a sweet tooth and loving a traditional cake from her culture, but she had stopped eating anything with sugar. Looking back over the years of texts, I wondered whether I could have done more to encourage her to gain weight. I took some solace when I finally came across a text I sent that read, “EAT THE CAKE!!” During Silvia’s last months, her weight had plummeted to 68 pounds. She was hospitalized and started to receive supplemental nutrition through a feeding tube. My last text from her was right before Thanksgiving in 2022. It was a gif of a cup of coffee on a balcony railing surrounded by flowers saying “Good morning, have a nice day.” After months of sending her texts and not hearing back, I contacted several people on her Facebook page. Her daughter got back to me and told me of Silvia’s unexpected death. She was 56 years old. I think about Silvia when I tell people to do everything possible to gain weight, even if they have always been thin. You need to take every measure early on to prevent more disease. With bronchiectasis, you need to be in fighting condition. Thank you, Silvia, for being by my side. You are a constant presence, encouraging me to lead people to better health. #bronchiectasis #lungdisease #lunginfections  Hold the Boil! Wash Your Airway Clearance Equipment First
I’ve heard some of us are sterilizing our airway clearance devices by skipping the soapy warm water soak and jumping straight to boiling or steaming. But wait! ✨Soap and water are essential for the first cleaning step.✨ This physically removes bacteria, mucus, and medication residue that can build up on your equipment. Dr Falkinham, a microbiologist with a NTM laboratory at Virginia Tech, recommends using Dawn dish detergent. Manufacturers of nebulizers and OPEP devices, like the Aerobika, recommend a 15 minute soak in warm soapy water as the first cleaning step. I often leave mine in for longer. Even overnight! Soap helps loosen and remove contaminants, making rinsing and sterilization more effective. Remember to agitate! Swish the soapy water around your equipment to dislodge any stuck-on material. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilization. This might involve boiling, steam sterilization, or a disinfectant solution. Many devices should also be soaked monthly in one part water and one part vinegar for one hour to remove scale buildup. By following these steps, you can ensure your airway clearance equipment is clean and functioning properly. For more information on cleaning, sterilizing and de-scaling go to my YouTube channel and please subscribe! (And check out my very bad hair day!😂) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv0bQel-IptGJS3KoAuOsyt7ia0_AkBW&si=A2aQxYvWkYIuA0NL #nebulizer #Nebulizing #Nebuliser #nebulising #airwayclearance #BestPractices #Soap #UseSoap #UseSoapAndWater #Bronchiectasis  🌟🌟💕💕GREAT NEWS!!💕💕🌟🌟
We are all concerned that many of us can not get good care in our communities. While some have the resources to travel to centers of excellence like the Mayo Clinic and National Jewish Health, others do not. That is why I am thrilled about this new initiative spearheaded by two incredible non-profits: The COPD Foundation and Bronchiectasis & NTM Info & Research. The following is in a newsletter I just received: Bronchiectasis and NTM 360, a division of the COPD Foundation, is now accepting applications for clinics to join the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN). Led by the COPD Foundation and in collaboration with NTM Info & Research (NTMir) and other advocacy partners, the CCN’s mission is to establish a network of centers across the country, with the goals of reducing the time to diagnosis and supporting high-quality care for those with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. The CCN is an opportunity for large health care centers and smaller pulmonary clinics and infectious disease clinics to participate in a network of nationally recognized centers that share our vision and strategic goals. Members accepted into the CCN will have increased visibility as well as the following opportunities: *National recognition as experts in the field. *Start-up funding to support and maintain the CCN infrastructure. *Access to free educational materials developed by the COPD Foundation in close partnership with leading experts and CCN partner advocacy groups. *Opportunity to network among leading experts in the field. *Opportunity to participate in clinical trials and research studies, as well as assistance with study recruitment. *Access to patient resources, including a nationwide network of patient support groups provided by NTM Info & Research, a CCN advocacy partner. If you have questions about the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, please emailCCN@BronchiectasisandNTM360. ***************************************** Help is on the way! Best, Linda Esposito #Bronchiectasis #NTM #NTMLungDisease |
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 2025
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