 Good dental care is essential for anyone with a chronic lung condition. Respiratory and oral health are closely connected—plaque (bacterial buildup) in the mouth can create an unhealthy environment that impacts the lungs.
For those of us with bronchiectasis, dental visits can raise concerns about bacterial exposure, especially when tools like the Cavitron are used. This device sprays water to “power wash” teeth, but bacterial biofilms can form inside dental machines, posing a potential risk. Another source of exposure is the swish bowl used for rinsing, which, like the Cavitron, may introduce harmful pathogens into the lungs through swallowing or reflux. To minimize these risks, I prefer manual scaling, where the hygienist uses hand tools to scrape plaque from each tooth. While this method takes longer, it avoids aerosolized water. My hygienist compares the Cavitron to a jackhammer and manual scaling to a sledgehammer—both get the job done! If your dental office resists manual scaling, it’s important to advocate for yourself: •Explain your condition: Share that you have a chronic, non-contagious condition like COPD, and your doctor recommends manual cleaning. •State your preference: Keep it simple—there’s no need for a detailed explanation about bacteria. Additional Tips for a Safer Dental Visit: 1.Bring bottled water for rinsing instead of using the office’s water. 2.Clear your airways before the appointment. 3.Reduce reflux risk: If you have GERD, eat a few bites of bread beforehand. Carbs can absorb stomach fluids and reduce reflux. 4.Request specific adjustments: •Avoid inverting the chair too much. •Use saline water (commonly used for extractions) instead of regular water. •Establish a signal (like raising your hand) if you need to sit up or cough. 5.Practice deep breathing: Place your hands on your belly to focus on diaphragmatic breathing and stay relaxed. By communicating with your dental team and taking a few simple precautions, you can make dental visits safer and more comfortable. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your care plan. #Bronchiectasis #DentalCare #OralHealth #COPD
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 The other day, I was sharing with my 24-year-old granddaughter how much I dislike promoting my book, consultation services, and YouTube channel.
She looked at me and said, “But why, Grandma? If you believe in the work you’ve done and know it’s helping people, why feel embarrassed about sharing it?” She had a point. My book, The BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis, has made a difference for thousands of people since its publication in 2021. Also, I regularly receive heartfelt emails from clients after consultations, expressing gratitude for the personalized guidance. Many share how they’ve gained a sense of control over their condition. With tailored suggestions designed for their unique lifestyles, they’re able to see a clear path forward—one that shows how they can live a full and active life while managing bronchiectasis. Then there’s my YouTube channel, which now features over 80 videos—a completely free resource for subscribers. Even though it may be years before I earn income from it, the real reward comes from knowing that people across the globe—especially those without local resources—are getting the tools and knowledge they need to better care for themselves. So, inspired by my granddaughter’s wisdom, I’m embracing the importance of sharing. If you or someone you care about could benefit from these resources, don’t hesitate to explore them. Using these BE CLEAR tools, we can kick off 2025 with renewed determination and a deeper commitment to living our best life. The BE CLEAR Method book is available on Amazon. Schedule a consultation by clicking here. Visit my YouTube channel for lots of great info. Please spread the word about these resources to your patients, support groups and on social media⭐️❤️⭐️❤️ #Bronchiectasis #ChronicHealthManagement #ChronicIllnessCoach #LungMatters #LungHealth  If you’ve been following my BE CLEAR page for a while, you’ll remember when years ago Barbara B first told us about this app.
Barbara, an amazing mom of a teenager with bronchiectasis, was searching for airway clearance tools her son would be willing to use. She then reached out and asked me to spread the word about this powerful tool. Initially, the app was only available on iPhone, but it later expanded to all smartphones. Many of us incorporated it into our daily airway clearance routines—some at the beginning, others in the middle, and people like me at the end. For me, it was the final step that helped get that last bit of mucus out of my lungs—thanks to Kevin’s soothing voice and clear prompts. It felt like just hearing his voice signaled my body to let go! Then the unthinkable happened… the app stopped working! 😱 I reached out to Kevin and he explained that the app was 8 years ago, which likely caused issues. Despite his full-time job and other responsibilities, he promised to fix it—and he did! After about 4 months, the app was up and running again, with new features to boot. Our community was so thankful. At that time, there was no option to leave a tip, though I encouraged him to add one. Admittedly, I hadn’t checked back in a while, but this morning I was thrilled to see that the tip option had been added! I hit that $5 tip button multiple times and will continue to do so going forward. If you’re using the app, please consider doing the same. Kevin is clearly a gentle soul (you can tell from his voice!) and was hesitant to include a tip option. I’m so glad he did. Fun fact: At the first North American Bronchiectasis and NTM Conference, one of the doctors even featured this app in her presentation—that’s how popular and impactful it has become for people with difficulty clearing secretions. So, let’s help make Kevin’s Christmas extra special this year. Let’s fill his holiday tree with many $5 gifts as a small thank-you for all he’s done for our community! Then let’s all go to his Contact page to wish him a merry Christmas and let him know how much we appreciate him. #autogenicapp #autogenicdrainage #bronchiectasis #mucus  Whether Santa was practical or extravagant this year, don’t forget about your Health Savings Account (HSA). An HSA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, including items like airway clearance equipment.
Some people manage just fine with a single Aerobika and nebulizer cup, but for me, having multiple sets has been a huge plus. It eased my daily burden of managing bronchiectasis- a huge win‼️ Adding a steam baby bottle sterilizer to the mix further enhanced this newfound sense of freedom. That said, not everyone finds these extras necessary. If you prefer to keep it simple, just remember to change your tubing regularly—most of us do it monthly, as recommended by National Jewish Health. If you have an Ombra nebulizer, you can find tubing replacements at SaveRite Medical. Before the year wraps up, check with your HSA provider to see what expenses are covered and whether your benefits roll over to next year. If they don’t, now’s the perfect time to let your fingers do the shopping—before you settle in for holiday movies and leftovers! #HSA #HealthSavingsAccount  Mamma Mia! This Virus Got Me‼️‼️
This bug has stolen my voice and my appetite! I had a week of routine annual doctor’s visits and a few client follow-ups, but cleared my social calendar and even postponed new client consultations. Those require being at 100%, and I’m not quite there yet. Since my appetite is shot, I have to remind myself that food is medicine — so eating, even when I don’t feel like it, is non-negotiable. Luckily, I have homemade soup in the freezer — a total lifesaver. I also have some frozen veggie bowls (I call them “starter kits”). They have beans and rice and heat up in four minutes. I boost them with extra-virgin olive oil, eggs, or any protein we have on hand. “Down the hatch!” as I say. Swallowing extra secretions has left me feeling a bit queasy, so I’ve been reaching for alginate. Someone recently asked me about it during a Zoom meeting and I explained that I’ve been using it regularly for several months. It’s made from kelp and reacts with stomach acid to form a protective foam raft on top of the stomach contents. Though marketed for reflux, I’ve found it works for my nausea, too. I usually take it after meals when I know I won’t be taking supplements or drinking much water for a while. It definitely soothes my stomach. Today’s plan: extra nebulizing with .9% isotonic saline, movement and rest!! #HealthJourney #ImmuneBoost #SelfCare #StayHealthy #WellnessTips #Alginate  Last Wednesday, I had the honor and pleasure of attending a lunch with Dr. Daley, renowned bronchiectasis and NTM expert, sitting at the head of the table.
Here are some key takeaways I’d like to share with you: ⭐ Brensocatib and the ASPEN Clinical Trial The Phase 3 ASPEN clinical trial for brensocatib was the largest bronchiectasis study ever conducted. Dr. Daley shared that brensocatib has shown a favorable safety profile, was generally well-tolerated. A full report on the trial will be published soon. ⭐ NTM Lung Disease Trials Unfortunately, two clinical trials for NTM lung disease had to be discontinued because the drugs being tested were not effective in clearing NTM infections. While disappointing, this is the nature of research—some trials are bound to fail. ⭐ Phage Therapy Progress Dr. Daley spoke enthusiastically about phage therapy. Currently, NJH has about half a dozen patients receiving phage therapy alongside standard treatment. Despite ongoing regulatory hurdles, there’s hope that engineered phages could become valuable treatment options for M. abscessus and Pseudomonas infections. ⭐ Global Impact of NJH Dr. Daley is proud that hundreds of physicians and scientists have conducted clinical research and postdoctoral fellowships at NJH and now practice medicine around the world. ⭐ Biotech Guidance What amazed me most was learning how much time Dr. Daley spends counseling start-up biotech companies that are exploring potential novel treatments. I had no idea this was such a significant part of his work! I left the luncheon feeling even more inspired and committed to supporting National Jewish Health. Although I’ve never been there, I’ll be including them on my annual donation list. #Bronchiectasis #NTMDisease #ClinicalResearch #Brensocatib #ASPENTrial #PhageTherapy #HealthAdvocacy #LungHealthMatters  Two days at the First North American Bronchiectasis and NTM Conference!!
What a whirlwind! Two days filled with networking, smiles and a buzz of cooperation in the air. The biggest takeaway: progress is happening! While there are still no U.S. guidelines for bronchiectasis, we’re hopeful they’ll be released in the first quarter of 2025. Even more exciting, there will be Standards of Care established for the 150 designated care centers across the U.S.. These guidelines will outline best practices, empowering us to advocate for proper care — whether it’s securing necessary nebulizing equipment or appropriate testing for swallowing and reflux. One promising development on the horizon: a potential blood test for NTM in the next few years. This could eliminate the stress of producing sputum samples — a huge relief for many of us! Though Dr. Chalmers (aka Dr. Bronchiectasis❤️) was in high demand, we managed to squeeze in a few moments for some fun social media pics. Helga from NTM Info & Research was also there, warmly welcoming everyone as they explored the booths featuring vest companies, Monaghan Medical, Bronchiectasis & NTM 360, Insmed, Mannkind and other pharmaceutical companies working on treatments for BE and NTM. It was inspiring to see clinicians, industry leaders, pharma companies and people living with bronchiectasis all coming together with a shared purpose. Progress is being made and the future looks brighter! Today I’m focusing on self-care, including my annual physical. Then I’ll be heading to a luncheon sponsored by National Jewish Health. Dr. Chuck Daley (aka Dr. NTM❤️) will be our guest speaker. I’ll be reporting back!!! #Bronchiectasis #NTMawareness #LungHealth #RespiratoryCare #BetterBreathing #LungMatters #ChronicIllnessCommunity #RespiratoryMatters #PulmonaryMatters #MedicalAdvances #PatientAdvocacy  I wanted nothing more than to go to Scotland this past July for the World Bronchiectasis Conference. Unfortunately, it conflicted with my family reunion, so I relied on Judy Schloss, the clinical manager at Monaghan Medical, to send me photos. More than anything, I wanted to visit my hero, Dr. James Chalmers’ laboratory. For me, it would’ve been like seeing the Batcave! You might think I’m exaggerating, but Dr. Chalmers (aka Dr. Bronchiectasis) actually led a proof-of-concept trial called BATMAN (Bronchiectasis Alpha-1 Augmentation Trial). Dr. Chalmers has been our advocate from the very beginning. Even when he was told that bronchiectasis research was a dead end, he persisted. In a recent video, he shared this powerful message: “The greatest unmet need for bronchiectasis, from my point of view as a clinician caring for these patients, is to have better, more effective treatments for the disease. Unfortunately, around 50% of patients with bronchiectasis, according to registry data, experience two or more exacerbations per year. The quality of life of our patients and their symptoms, the scores that they get on questionnaires, show that the impairment caused by this disease is as bad or worse than other respiratory conditions like COPD, asthma, or cystic fibrosis. So, patients are really suffering with frequent exacerbations and bad symptoms, but there are not enough effective treatments that patients can use. Most patients are reliant on physiotherapy and antibiotics, which relieve some of the symptoms but don’t modify the course of the disease and don’t prevent these exacerbations or improve these symptoms. So we urgently need better treatments, and that means that we need investment into clinical trials and also into translational science in order to understand the disease better, find better treatment targets, and help us to develop those new therapies.” In the fight against bronchiectasis, Dr. Chalmers reminds us that real superheroes don’t wear capes—they wear lab coats. #Bronchiectasis #NTMLungDisease #BATMAN #COPD #ClinicalTrials #LungHealth #SuperheroesInLabCoats #MedicalResearch #PatientAdvocacy #Inspiration #NeverGiveUp |
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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