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Urinary incontinence—can affect anyone, but it’s especially common among women as we age or experience changes in our pelvic health.  What You Should Know About Urinary Incontinence—and What’s Helped Me Most For some, it’s just a small leak when laughing or coughing. For others, it might be a bigger accident during physical activity or even while at rest. Common triggers include:
🏋️♀️ Are Kegels the Answer? Most people have heard of Kegel exercises, which involve squeezing and holding the pelvic floor muscles to improve strength and control. But let’s be honest--Kegels can be hard to get right. Without biofeedback or guidance from a pelvic floor therapist, many people are unsure if they’re doing them correctly. In fact, a biofeedback study found that up to 50% of women perform Kegels incorrectly without instruction. 🔄 What Worked for Me: Functional Movement Over Isolation After having a hysterectomy in my 40s, I started experiencing occasional urinary leakage—especially when I had a bad cough or was active. Kegels alone didn’t help much, and honestly, I found them frustrating. That’s when I began focusing on functional movement and core integration—and everything changed. The exercises that helped me most included:
When I stay consistent with this approach, I rarely have leaks—even when I’m sick and coughing. Curious about what exercises to try? Check out The National Association for Continence or speak with a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist. 💬 Let’s Talk About It Urinary incontinence can feel isolating, but it’s incredibly common—and very treatable. Whether you’re just noticing small leaks or dealing with more significant issues, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. More open conversations lead to more awareness, more solutions, and less shame. 🩺 Resources: #coughing #bronchiectasis #pelvicfloor #incontinence
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Thirty-three U.S. centers join the new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network facilitating access to high-quality, specialized patient care for bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease.  Miami (March 12, 2025) – The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association has accepted 27 Care Center and six Clinical Associate Center sites in 23 states and the District of Columbia into the new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network (CCN).
The CCN aims to facilitate access to specialized care and support for the hundreds of thousands of people with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. “As the prevalence of bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease grows, it is even more important for us to create this Care Center Network to improve access to high-quality, specialty care and resources patients need,” said Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, M.D., Chair of the CCN Steering Committee. “The CCN’s innovative, nationwide network will help us achieve our goals of improving care and quality of life for those with these conditions, as well as advancing toward a cure.” Centers accepted into the CCN receive a designation of either a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center or a Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinical Associate Center, based on institutional resources and infrastructure. The requirements are established by the CCN’s Steering Committee, comprised of leading experts in the field. The new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center sites are:
The network will span 150 medical centers in diverse geographical locations nationwide over the next three years. The Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network is generously supported by Insmed Incorporated as a Founding Sponsor and Boehringer Ingelheim. For more information about the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, visit www.bronchandntm.org. #bronchiectasiscarecenters #NTMCare #COPDFoundation  Save the date! Join Bronchiectasis/NTM Info & Research and Running on Air for an insightful webinar with Professor James Chalmers on the latest updates from the European Bronchiectasis Workshop & Forum on Respiratory Tract Infections. Meet Prof. James D. Chalmers: A Leading Authority on Bronchiectasis When it comes to advancing bronchiectasis care, few names are as influential as Professor James D. Chalmers. As the Asthma and Lung UK Chair of Respiratory Research at the University of Dundee, Prof. Chalmers has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for individuals living with bronchiectasis. He is best known for his leadership in the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC), an international research network that has transformed our understanding of bronchiectasis, and for serving as Chief Editor of the European Respiratory Journal. With over 350 peer-reviewed publications, Prof. Chalmers has made critical contributions to our understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of bronchiectasis. He is a key author of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines for the management of adult bronchiectasis, which offer clinicians trusted, evidence-based recommendations for bronchiectasis care. Professor Chalmers' Contribution to the Aspen Study Chalmers' groundbreaking work includes leading innovative clinical trials such as the ASPEN study involving Brensocatib, a potential first-in-class therapy targeting neutrophilic inflammation. For details on this trial, see the clinical trial registry entry for Brensocatib (NCT04594369). These studies are helping pave the way for precision medicine in bronchiectasis. Contribution to International Guidelines and Standards of Care Prof. Chalmers has also chaired and contributed to major international guidelines, including the 2017 ERS guidelines and the latest European Lung Foundation bronchiectasis management recommendations. His efforts continue to standardize care and improve quality of life for bronchiectasis patients around the world. Thanks to experts like Prof. Chalmers, the future of bronchiectasis care is looking brighter—with innovative therapies, patient-centered guidelines, and individualized treatment strategies leading the way. #Bronchiectasis Awareness #BronchiectasisResearch #JamesChalmers #ERSGuidelines #PrecisionMedicine #Brensocatib #RespiratoryHealth ✨Date: February 27 2025 ✨Time: 1 PM EDT |
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
May 2025
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