Discussions
Discussions
General Discussion
Nasal washes are solutions used to rinse out your nasal passages and sinuses using a saline(saltwater) mix. I find using these washes beneficial, especially throughout the winter months when we are dealing with dry heat in our homes. These washes moisturize our nasal passages, improving sinus and breathing comfort.
Always use safe water, such as boiled water for 10 minutes, and then cool the water before using.
There are many different brands, with Neil Med being the most advertised brand. Navage Saline Irrigation Starter Kit, Equate Comfort Flow Bottle Nasal Wash System, and Nasalfresh MD Dual Powered Nasal Irrigation System are a few other brands. You can order these on Amazon or purchase them at a local pharmacy.
Do you have any suggestions on nasal washes for our community?
Cooler weather is around the corner. Tis the season for annual vaccinations and to closely follow your Bronchiectasis action plan. The plan is in the link below:,https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/ActionPlanEnglish.pdf
I would suggest that you print it , so you can review it on a regular basis.
Let us know if you have any specific questions.
It is important to understand the basics of drug formularies, offered by different insurance companies. The formulary lists the drugs by tiers or levels, with tier 1 being the least expensive and the higher tiers being more expensive. Often, your health care provider will start at level 1. Your health care provider will have to have a reason to get a specific drug at an higher tier authorized.it is wise to have an approximate annamount that you will be paying for drugs if you take many drugs. Medicare has a cap of $2000 this year,$2100 for next year. The link below reviews the basics : https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/health-insurance/medication-formulary
Hi Cjack. Dr Sandhaus attended one of the monthly Coffee Breaks and spoke specifically about the overlap of Alpha 1 and bronchiectasis. Check out the recording linked below.
Interested in hearing the experience of others with sleep apnea and their treatment for it
The you tube video below , featuring Jonnie Korinko, COPD Foundation and Emily Whicheloe, Director of Education, Medicare Rights Center presents a comprehensive overview of enrollment in a Medicare plan.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1zBMrG5ieoE
This video was filmed last year but the basic content remains the same. Please lus know if you have any specific questions.
Health care providers use these term frequently. The article below , from the Cleveland Clinic defines the terms, hypoxia, hypoxemia, their causes , symptoms and treatment options: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17727-hypoxemia
Below is an article from Harvard Health on the advantages and disadvantages of telehealth: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/telehealth-the-advantages-and-disadvantages
We would love to hear your comments on both the pros and cons of telehealth from your experiences.
Late fall is the best time to get the RSV vaccine. Below is information from the CDC on this vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guida...
Fluzone is the stronger flu vaccine recommended for people over the age of 65, those on long term immunosuppressants and transplant patients. I usually get my vaccination in mid October; it can take a few weeks to reach a higher level of effectiveness in your body. Below is detailed information on the Fluzone vaccine : https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccine-types/flu-zone.html#cdc_generic_section_2-people-who-can-receive-fluzone-high-dose-vaccine
A few vaccinations just have initials , not a completely spelt out name. The link below, from the CDC reviews vaccination recommendations throughout our lifeand the diseases that they protect us against. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-schedules/downloads/adults-schedule-easy-read.pdf
Below is an excellent webinar, designed for respiratory therapists. You can listen and learn a lot from this video if you are not a respiratory therapist. Elevating Awareness of Bronchiectasis
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0RBqnIu-tw&t=1s
Get the latest information on diagnosis, treatments, and ongoing care strategies for bronchiectasis.
Let us know if you have any specific questions,
It is good to have a tool for guidance in the management of NTM Lung Disease. The link below provides information and the tool that you can print out and use regularly. https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/NTM_Management_Tool.pdf
It has been extremely warm on the East Coast over the past week. Weather reports can be confusing for many people. Humidity numbers may not be too high but the dew points are high. The How to Geek link below differentiates the two terms, humidity and dew point to explain how it really feels. https://www.howtogeek.com/733421/forget-humidity-dew-point-is-how-it-really-feels-outside/
The NTM Lung Disease Management Tool can assist you on your NTM journey: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/NTM_Management_Tool.pdf
Below is the link: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/ActionPlanEnglish.pdf
The plan will assist you on your Bronchiectasis journey. Let us know if you have any specific questions.
The link below provides a calculator to determine the heat index.
Please take action steps, in advance to keep cool, well hydrated and stocked up on any medications you may need.
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/heatindex.shtml
Please assist our BNTM community in increasing public awareness of Bronchiectasis.
Sign up for our awareness toolkit. Help us raise awareness in your own network with our free toolkit. It's packed with social media posts, resources, and tips to help you spread the word.
I occasionally get blood in the sputum. For severe cases my pulmonologist prescribes antibiotics, but this time it is not that severe, and seems to be getting better.
Can this issue resolve on its own??
Many caregivers need to be reminded that they must take care of themselves as well as the person that they are caring for. Similar to the being a person on an airplane, it is important to be reminded that you must put the mask on yourself properly before we can take care of others. The link below offers support and guidance for caregivers: https://www.helpguide.org/family/caregiving/family-caregiving
Knowledge is power. The more you know about a particular disease and how it impacts an individual, the better you will be prepared as a caregiver.
We host a monthly online BNTM Coffee Social support group on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 3pm, EST. Detailed information about upcoming meeting topic and how to register is posted on this site the week before the meeting.
Additionally, there are support groups throughout the world. Please see the link below.
This tool assists individuals to manage their Bronchiectasis. The tool outlines steps for daily management and provides guidance on what to do if symptoms increase: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Portals/0/DownloadsLibrary/Files/ActionPlanEnglish.pdf
The link below reviews the diagnostic tests used to determine whether or not a patient has an Aspergillosis infection: https://fightfungus.org/diagnostic-testing-aspergillosis/
I have intermittent asthma, resulting in an onset of wheezing, which often occurs with severe weather changes. The symptoms of asthma are often confused with a respiratory flare-up. The symptoms of asthma may lead one to be anxious, fearing that they are getting a respiratory infection / NTM or worsening of their Bronchiectasis when it could be asthma. Asthma may be short-term for many individuals and treated with an inhaler or nebulizer.
Below is an article from the Mayo Clinic on the basics of asthma:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653
I have intermittent asthma, resulting with an onset of wheezing, and occurring severe weather changes . The symptoms of asthma are often confused with a respiratory flare up. The symptoms of asthma may lead one to be anxious, fearing that they are getting a respiratory infection / NTM or worsening of their Bronchiectasis when it could be asthma. Asthma maybe short term for many individuals and treated with an inhaler or nebulizer.
Below is an article from the Mayo Clinic on the basics of asthma:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653
It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.
Community posts are monitored by the 360social Community Manager, as well as staff respiratory therapists, educators, and other medical professionals.