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During this Respiratory Care Week, the most important takeaway is that there is no single method that works for everyone when it comes to airway clearance.  Dr Colin Swenson and Dr Wendi Drummond podcast speakers on NTM lung disease and bronchiectasis Each person living with bronchiectasis or other chronic lung conditions has unique needs, physical abilities, and comfort levels. What matters most is finding the combination of tools and techniques that help you breathe easier and stay consistent over time. Airway Clearance Is Both Science and ArtAll current bronchiectasis guidelines recommend working with a respiratory therapist to learn proper airway clearance techniques. These specialists can demonstrate breathing exercises, oscillating positive expiratory devices, and postural drainage positions that improve mucus clearance. But even with expert instruction, airway clearance remains as much an art as it is a science. Consistency, timing, and creativity all play a role. Some people prefer short sessions throughout the day, while others set aside dedicated time morning and evening. The key is to listen to your body and notice what feels effective and sustainable. Personal Consultations Can Make a DifferenceMany people find it helpful to schedule a consultation with me, Linda Esposito, to review their airway clearance routine. I demonstrate my own techniques and share the tools I use, then we talk about what you currently do and explore ways to make your routine more efficient and personalized. Together, we can identify adjustments and additions for your airway clearance toolkit that help you clear mucus more effectively and with less stress. Keep Learning and Keep BreathingRespiratory Care Week is a reminder to appreciate the incredible professionals who help us breathe better and to keep improving our own self-care practices. Whether you are new to airway clearance or refining your long-time routine, remember that progress comes from learning, experimenting, and adapting.
Let’s keep learning together and continue building confidence in our daily airway clearance routines. Have a listen to this podcast series featuring two podcasts on Airway Clearance!! Click here, then scroll down to read more blogs!!
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Respiratory Care Week is here, and it’s the perfect time to highlight the vital role of respiratory therapists and the tools that help people breathe better every day.  Yesterday I shared a post about Monaghan Medical, the makers of the Aerobika® and the AeroEclipse® and Ombra nebulizing system. Today, we’re continuing the celebration with a “PEP talk”—or better yet, an OPEP talk! What Is OPEP Therapy?OPEP stands for Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure. This therapy uses a small handheld device to help loosen mucus and open partially blocked airways. As you exhale through the device, it creates gentle vibrations that “unstick” mucus, making it easier to cough out. Two of the most popular OPEP devices are the Aerobika® and Acapella®. These tools are especially helpful for people living with bronchiectasis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, or other chronic lung conditions where mucus buildup is a daily challenge. For a step-by-step demonstration, visit my YouTube Channel – Clearance of Airways Playlist where I show exactly how these devices work and how to use them safely. Finding the “Goldilocks Zone” with a ManometerWhen it comes to OPEP, effort matters but more is not always better. Many people tend to blow too hard into their device, thinking it will move mucus faster. In reality, exhaling too forcefully can collapse smaller airways and reduce the effectiveness of airway clearance. That’s where the manometer accessory comes in. A manometer measures the pressure created during exhalation so you can stay in the “Goldilocks zone”—not too hard, not too light, but just right. If you use a manometer, your goal is to maintain a pressure between 10 and 20 cmH₂O throughout your exhalation. Staying within this range helps keep your smaller airways open and promotes optimal mucus movement. Pressures above this range can actually work against you, while pressures below may not provide enough resistance to be effective. Why OPEP Devices Matter for Bronchiectasis and BeyondFor people with bronchiectasis and other mucus-producing lung diseases, airway clearance is a daily essential. OPEP devices make that process more effective and less exhausting. Regular OPEP use can help:
Where to Purchase the Aerobika with ManometerPurchasing an Aerobika® with a manometer usually costs only about $10 more than the Aerobika alone. You can order directly from Tampa Specialty Pharmacy, a trusted distributor of Monaghan Medical products. OPEP therapy is one of the most empowering self-care tools for those living with chronic lung conditions. By learning proper technique and using the right accessories, you can make airway clearance more effective and comfortable—so you can focus on living, not just managing symptoms. To learn more, explore my YouTube channel and BE CLEAR blog for additional videos, tips, and patient-friendly education. BE CLEAR has a consulting relationship with Monaghan Medical. Did you know that Respiratory Care Week was created by President Ronald Reagan?  After surviving an assassination attempt in 1981, he established this important week, now celebrated during the last full week of October, to honor respiratory care professionals for their dedication and expertise. Recognizing the Experts Who Help Us Breathe EasierEach October, we take time to recognize their skill and compassion. Unfortunately, many in the bronchiectasis community still do not have access to respiratory therapists for one-on-one guidance. Hopefully, as bronchiectasis centers continue to expand, that will change. For now, we rely on education from companies in the lung health space like Monaghan Medical Corporation, maker of the Aerobika® and AeroEclipse® nebulizer. Their newly updated website is beautiful, informative, and easy to navigate: https://www.monaghanmed.com/ Reliable Products and Helpful PartnersNo endless scrolling on the internet trying to figure out where to get our devices or how to use them. Monaghan is also making it easier than ever to order devices like the Aerobika® with a manometer. You can now purchase it directly through Tampa Specialty Pharmacy (TSP). Need a prescription? No problem. The Monaghan website includes a link to their online partner, OLA Digital Health, where you can quickly obtain one. And here’s something I love: the Aerobika® is now available at Walmart pharmacies. That means if I’m traveling and accidentally leave mine behind (yes, it’s happened), I can simply pick one up at Walmart. A Company That Truly CaresIf you’ve contacted Monaghan’s Customer Service team, you already know how knowledgeable and responsive they are. They understand their products and genuinely care about keeping us informed and satisfied.
As a consultant for the company for years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting their immaculate upstate New York plant and speaking directly with the assembly line workers to let them know how vital their work is to our well-being. Monaghan Medical continues to support our community in a big way, and that matters, because for many of us, it’s a lifelong relationship. If you use airway clearance devices like the Aerobika® or the AeroEclipse® XL nebulizing cup, keeping them clean is one of the most important ways to protect your lungs and get the most out of your treatments.   These tools help open up your airways and create an inhospitable environment for bacteria and other pathogens. It's important to disinfect them regularly so they do not become a potential source of infection. For people living with bronchiectasis, this step is especially important. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can grow in moist environments and are difficult to treat once they take hold. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of your Aerobika® and AeroEclipse® XL devices helps prevent contamination, protect your lungs, and keep your airway clearance routine safe and effective. The good news is that caring for your equipment does not have to be complicated. Once you understand the steps and make them part of your daily routine, it becomes second nature, like brushing your teeth. Taking a few extra minutes to clean and sterilize your devices can make a lasting difference in your respiratory health and peace of mind. I hope you find these easy-to-follow instructions helpful! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. When I talk about being clear with bronchiectasis, I don’t just mean lung function.  I mean clarity in three essential areas:
1. Keeping Your Lungs Clear with BronchiectasisMaintaining open, mucus-free airways is the foundation of bronchiectasis self-care. Daily airway clearance helps:
What to Include in an Airway Clearance Routine
For a deeper dive, explore my airway clearance Youtube playlist. 2. Clearing Up Misconceptions About BronchiectasisClear lungs are only part of the picture. We also need clear minds—free from misinformation. Unfortunately, inaccurate advice is common in online groups and social media. While personal stories can be comforting, they are not always based in science. Where to Find Reliable Information
3. Releasing Fear and Emotional Stress from BronchiectasisA bronchiectasis diagnosis often stirs strong emotions, including:
Strategies to Support Emotional Health
Living Well by Being Clear in Body, Mind, and SpiritWhen we commit to clarity in our lungs, mind, and spirit, we do more than manage bronchiectasis—we create conditions to thrive. By practicing daily airway clearance, choosing evidence-based knowledge, and tending to emotional well-being, we strengthen both our lungs and our overall quality of life. |
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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