Self-Care and a Strong Medical Team

Whether you’re living with a mild or more advanced case of bronchiectasis, whether you’re currently on antibiotics or not, whether you’re feeling energized or worn out--self-care matters. While it may not always be the easiest way to manage a chronic lung condition, it can be the most personalized, empowering, and ultimately rewarding path forward.

What is Bronchiectasis?

The word bronchiectasis comes from the Greek words bronckos (airway) and ektasis (widening or dilation). It’s the “ektasis”—this permanent stretching of the airways—that makes bronchiectasis irreversible. Inflammation and infection damage the airway walls, causing them to lose elasticity. Imagine the stretched-out waistband of an old pair of pajama bottoms—no amount of laundering is going to tighten it again. The same goes for our lungs.

But here’s the good news: self-care can make a major difference. It helps keep those overstretched passages from becoming clogged with thick mucus and harmful organisms—like bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that further damage lung tissue.

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Why Self-Care is a Daily Lifeline

A healthy lifestyle is also key to lowering inflammation throughout the body. That means eating nutrient-rich foods, moving your body regularly, and making rest a priority. Your body is smart—it knows the difference between a few toe-touches and a dedicated hour-long stretch class. It knows the difference between a 5-minute power nap and a focused meditation session. It knows the difference between a quick puff on your Aerobika and a full, intentional airway clearance routine.

Let me be absolutely clear: self-care does not replace traditional medicine. I’m a firm believer in partnering with a qualified healthcare team that includes both conventional and complementary providers. I encourage you to take full advantage of every service offered by your multidisciplinary team.

For me, building a care team took time—and some travel. I eventually sought a second opinion out of state and switched to a new pulmonologist. That decision opened the door to new insights and referrals to specialists who investigated potential underlying causes of my bronchiectasis.

Over time, I also incorporated complementary care providers into my healing journey. Together, this team helped me take a holistic and individualized approach to managing my condition. That’s what I hope for you, too.

If you’re living with BE and feeling stuck, I urge you to advocate for yourself. Seek the best medical care available in your community. And if that’s not enough, and you have the means, find a top national expert who can support your local team with expert guidance.

 #bronchiectasis #pulmonology #airwayclearance #lunghealth