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Happy Halloween!!!! Let's talk about how to support your body if you have bronchiectasis and NTM Lung Disease!!
#halloween #treatyourself #healthyBMI
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 Did you listen to the podcast series on bronchiectasis and NTM (MAC) lung disease that I recently recommended?
It’s called NTM Talk (ntmtalk.com) and created by pulmonologist Dr. Colin Swenson and infectious disease specialist Dr. Wendi Drummond. They’re both experts in their fields, and they do a great job of making complex topics understandable and engaging. Even if you don’t have NTM, I highly recommend listening to the podcast. There are many episodes that talk about bronchiectasis. One episode that I found particularly helpful was on vacationing and reflux. Dr. Swenson mentioned the association between worsening bronchiectasis and aspirating gastric contents into our lungs from reflux. He talked about how many people come back from vacation with exacerbations because they’re eating later, drinking more alcohol and sleeping flat. With this in mind, I try my best to elevate the head of my bed while traveling. Technically I don’t have reflux, but because we often eat later than usual, I take precautions. In Portugal, the mattress was light and I was able to lift the top and wedge my knee under it to hold it up. Then, I placed pillows between the mattress and the boxspring. I refer to this as the “Jane technique” because bronchi-sis Jane recommended it last year when I was traveling and it worked well. Here in Morocco, the mattress is about 20 inches deep and too heavy to lift. So instead, I opted for using multiple pillows and taking an alginate before bedtime. I’ve discussed alginates in the past and have been using them regularly for the past six months. It’s an algae based product that forms a raft on the top of our stomach contents to prevent reflux. If you go online, you can find out more about alginates. The one I use regularly, RefluxRaft, is made from all natural ingredients and I am partial to the lemon ginger flavored one. What do you do while traveling to prevent reflux? Do you bring an inflatable wedge? Have you tried an alginate? www.letsbecleartoday.com #bronchiectasis #NTM #MAC #lungdisease #NTMTalk #podcast #reflux #vacation #alginate #travelhacks #lunghealth  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  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 |
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
December 2024
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