 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 #healthyhabits #selfcare #lunghealth #wellness #breathingpractices #exercise #airwayclearance #laughter #nutrition #alternativetherapies #relaxation #rest #sleep #habitformation
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 I've listened to many patient education webinars by bronchiectasis expert Dr. James Chalmers and he often talks about his love of sputum. And, he shares a favorite slide with his audience – a sputum color chart.
Mucus is part of the body's defense system. It helps protect the lungs from infection by trapping bacteria and other harmful particles. When the lungs are infected, the mucus can become thicker and more greenish in color. This is because the infection triggers the release of an enzyme called myeloperoxidase (MPO), which gives the mucus its green color. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) contributes to immune function primarily through its role in neutrophils where it helps combat pathogens. MPO produces hypochlorous acid and other reactive oxidants, potent antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria and other pathogens within phagosomes. Additionally, MPO is involved in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) which capture and neutralize microbes. However, excessive MPO activity can also lead to tissue damage and contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases. That is why the best time to treat a lung infection is early on. Early treatment can help to prevent the infection from causing more damage to our already scarred bronchiectatic lungs. When we notice our mucus has become darker or more greenish, we should notify our doctor. Also, ask to bring in a sputum sample for analysis. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a few sterile sputum cups on hand. In some cases, we might even have what’s called a “standing order” at a laboratory. This allows us to bring in our sample at any time and the instructions on file tell the lab what to do with our sample. A standing order for BE often includes testing for: 🦠regular respiratory bacteria 🦠fungi 🦠mycobacteria with an Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) test. These bacteria are often slow growing and results can take up to 8 weeks. It can be overwhelming and demoralizing to deal with an infection. But let’s not deny what we feel and see. Let’s advocate for early detection and treatment. #LungHealth #MucusMatters #SputumAnalysis #InfectionDetection #Bronchiectasis #EarlyTreatment #Myeloperoxidase #RespiratoryCare #ImmuneFunction #PatientAdvocacy  I’m not exaggerating when I say every bronchiectasis research article I read has the word ”biomarker” in it.
Typically measured in substances like blood, sputum, or stool, biomarkers offer valuable information about our health. A familiar example is C-reactive protein (CRP) which rises with inflammation in the body. 🩸🩸 Another is the greenish tint to sputum caused by myeloperoxidase (MPO) .🦠🦠 MPO is a neutrophilic enzyme which is present when the body is waging a strong defense against bad-dude microbes. Recent research presented at the 7th World Bronchiectasis Conference underscored the critical role of biomarkers. Scientists are diligently searching for immune system indicators in our bodily fluids that differentiate inflammation from healthy states. By identifying markers, such as cytokines which work as chemical messengers in the inflammatory process, inflammation can be proactively addressed before it escalates into infection. Also, to reduce the reliance on antibiotic treatments. Moreover, reliable biomarkers will revolutionize treatment evaluation. Instead of relying solely on sputum, which can be challenging to obtain, we may soon turn to blood or other bodily fluids for assessment. This shift towards personalized medicine will enable tailored treatments based on each person’s biomarkers and areas of concern (ie a biomarker predicting the possibility of a future MAC or pseudomonas infection ) rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. #Bronchiectasis #NTMlung #Pseudomonas #Biomarker #Research #Inflammation #Biomarkers #PersonalizedMedicine #BloodTest #DiseasePrevention #ClinicalResearch #BiologicalMarkers #Genomics #Proteomics #HealthMonitoring  Commensal bacteria are microorganisms that reside on or within a host organism in a relationship where the host is neither harmed nor benefited.
The term "commensal" derives from the Latin commensalis, meaning "sharing a table," aptly describing their close association. While typically harmless, these bacteria can transition into pathogens under specific conditions, such as an overpopulation or displacement within the host. Recent research has unveiled a surprising connection between oral microbiota and lung health. Genetic analysis has identified distinct oral bacteria in the lungs that may be the driver of more severe disease. This bacteria makes its way into the lungs through microaspiration. Dr Sanjay Chotirmall from NTU, Singapore, and Dr Leo Segal from NYU Langone, spoke at the World Bronchiectasis Conference in July. They are at the forefront of investigating the lung microbiome to pinpoint bacterial culprits linked to both more severe bronchiectasis and increased infection risk. Their work employs advanced genetic sequencing to uncover pathogens that evade traditional culture methods. A groundbreaking discovery by Dr. Chotirmall's team implicated the bacterium Neisseria in the exacerbation of bronchiectasis, particularly among Asian patients. This finding correlates poorer lung function, frequent infections, and overall disease severity with the presence of Neisseria. These findings underscore the complex interplay between commensal bacteria and human health. As research progresses, a deeper understanding of the oral-lung connection will likely lead to novel diagnostic tools and more individualized therapeutic interventions. #CommensalBacteria #Microbiome #LungHealth #OralMicrobiota #Bronchiectasis #Microaspiration #GeneticSequencing #PathogenResearch #Neisseria #RespiratoryHealth #MicrobialDiversity #HostMicrobeInteraction #MicrobiotaImmunity #BacterialPathogens #HealthResearch #MicrobialEcology #InfectiousDiseases #ImmuneSystem #MicrobialGenomics #BacterialCulprits #DiseaseSeverity #HumanMicrobiome #MicrobialSymbiosis #Biomedicine #MicrobialResearch  It's back-to-school time and there's excitement in the air. But for teachers with respiratory conditions, it can also be a time of concern.
I recently checked in with clients who are teachers to see what types of extra precautions they might be planning to take. I was happy to hear that since COVID, conditions in schools have improved. There is better ventilation and scheduled cleaning of surfaces. However, many of the schools are old and still have issues with ventilation and mold. Also, for teachers of young children, there is always the issue of children who come to school sneezing and coughing. Other potential sources of concern are: 🦠Vocal strain from projecting in the classroom and disciplining 🦠Shared equipment like microscopes and other learning materials 🦠Close quarters, not only with the students but also in teacher break rooms and restrooms 🦠Chalk dust 🦠Increased stress Some of the preventive actions teachers are taking include: ⭐️Planning for extra sleep ⭐️Taking vitamin C and zinc through the fall and winter ⭐️Reinforcing proper hygiene with students ⭐️Prepping meals on the weekend for nutritious eating including homemade lunches ⭐️Purchasing a UV water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day ⭐️Purchasing extra Aerobikas and nebulizing cups to ensure that with their busy schedule they always have clean equipment ⭐️Purchasing a steam baby bottle sterilizer to make sterilization easier ⭐️Wearing a mask when possible ⭐️ Putting an air purifier in your classroom If you had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Chuck Daley last week, you heard him make a great suggestion regarding exposure. When we feel we've had a large exposure to potential disease-causing situations, we should be proactive with airway clearance. This might mean using an Aerobika or taking a brisk walk during your lunch break. Then, when possible, doing airway clearance the moment we get home, even if it's just nebulizing saline. And, later following up with a more dedicated session. Are you a teacher? What practices do you plan to put in place with this new school season? Not a teacher, but have ideas? Please share! #Bronchiectasis #RespiratoryInfections #BackToSchool Many of us in the US are tested for underlying conditions that might be contributing or causing our bronchiectasis. Here I am at the children’s center at NYU Langone having a repeat sweat chloride test.
This test measures the amount of chloride in sweat to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). In this test, a chemical is applied to the skin to stimulate sweating, and the sweat is collected and analyzed for chloride levels. If you look closely, you’ll see blue sweat gathering in the tubing. This liquid is transferred into a small vial and sent for analysis. The test is painless, involves no needles, and results are typically available within a day. Shoutout to this kind nurse who took the time to answer lots of questions. Have you had this test done? #CysticFibrosis #SweatChlorideTest #BronchiectasisCauses #CFDiagnosis #InheritedDisorder #LungInfections #ChlorideLevels #SweatGlands #NewbornScreening #CFSymptoms #DigestiveProblems #SweatCollection #NonInvasiveTest #CFTRProtein #GeneticTesting #RespiratoryIssues #DigestiveSystem #MucusBuildUp #ThickMucus #SaltySkin #CFScreening #ChlorideMeasurement #DiagnosticTest #CFTesting  The 7th World Bronchiectasis Conference featured a pivotal discussion among leaders of bronchiectasis registries from the US, Europe, China, India, South Korea, and Australia. These registries, extensive databases with critical patient and disease information and their complementary biobanks which store biological samples, have amassed substantial data over time. Data from the European registry, EMBARC, has already been used in over 40 publications!
Recognizing the potential of combined efforts, moderator Dr. Doreen Addrizzo-Harris proposed a collaborative research approach across these registries. Moderator Dr. James Chalmers echoed this sentiment, suggesting a joint publication discussion at the next conference as a tangible goal. Audience members expressed interest in accessing registry data for their own research, a request met with encouragement from Dr. Chalmers. He added that with tens of thousands of patients contributing their data, the medical community now bears the responsibility of using this resource to improve patient care. The emergence of the Bronchiectasis Care Center Network (CCN) in the United States, with a potential of 350 centers, will be a significant development in data collection. Dr PJ McShane noted that expanding beyond the current institutions and their data banks to include public hospitals will provide a more comprehensive understanding of bronchiectasis and NTM and its impact on minority populations. Access to care has been a lifelong concern of mine. From my public health background and current engagement with people all over the world who have BE and NTM, I know there are many who do not get the care they need to fight these diseases. If you have the opportunity, please join me in participating in registries and data banks. It’s very satisfying to be involved in this global effort—and hopefully the discovery of a cure.🫁✨ #bronchiectasis #ntmlung #lunghealth #PrimaryCiliaryDyskinesia #respiratoryhealth #asthma #COPD #lungdisease #medicalresearch #clinicalTrials #chronicillness #cooperation #publichealth #patientadvocacy #healthinnovation #collaboration #patientparticipation |
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
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