Discussions

💧 Dew Point Matters More Than You Think!  If you live with Bronchiectasis or NTM, you may have noticed that some humid days feel much harder than others. The reason may be the dew point.

The dew point is a measure of how much moisture is in the air. The higher the number, the more humid the air feels.

🌿 When the dew point reaches 70°F or higher, many people with chronic lung disease may experience:
💙 More shortness of breath
💙 Increased coughing
💙 Thicker mucus or more difficulty clearing airways
💙 Fatigue during everyday activities

While not everyone is affected the same way, many people in the Bronchiectasis and NTM community find that high humidity, “ heavy air”  can make symptoms feel worse.

🌤️ On high dew point days:
✔️ Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening.
✔️ Stay hydrated.
✔️ Take breaks and don’t push yourself.
✔️ If possible, enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned spaces.
✔️ Follow your airway clearance routine as recommended by your healthcare team.

 Let’s learn from each other! At what dew point do you begin to notice a difference in your breathing? Is it 60°, 65°, 70°, or even lower? I certainly feel the difference when the dew point is 70 or higher. The dew point is 74 in my area today. Please share your experience in the comments—it may help someone else better understand their own symptoms.

Remember: Weather affects everyone differently. Knowing your personal triggers is one more way to take charge of your lung health. 💙

Why are we seeing so many tornado warnings? There are several factors, and “more warnings” does not necessarily mean there are more tornadoes.

• More severe weather patterns are occurring in some regions. Warm, humid air combined with changing wind patterns can create the instability and wind shear needed for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Recent research also suggests tornado activity has shown a longer-term shift toward parts of the eastern U.S., although the science is complex and varies by season and region.

• A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which can contribute to heavier rainfall and more intense thunderstorms

• Detection and warning technology have improved. Doppler radar, dual-polarization radar, better computer models, and newer forecasting methods can identify rotation and dangerous storms that might previously have gone unwarned.

Why tornadoes and severe storms matter to people with Bronchiectasis and NTM

The tornado itself is not known to cause NTM disease, but the conditions surrounding severe storms can be challenging for vulnerable lungs.

🌪️ 1. Dust and debris-tornadoes can put enormous amounts of dust, soil, construction material, insulation, and other particles into the air. These can irritate already-sensitive airways and may worsen one’s condition.

🌧️ 2. Flooding → moisture and mold-this may be one of the biggest concerns after severe storms. Flooded buildings and water-damaged materials can develop mold, sometimes very quickly.

🦠 3. Increased exposure to environmental organisms. Storms can disturb soil, standing water, decaying vegetation, and contaminated materials. These exposures can increase the amount of environmental material people breathe in.

Practical protection during and after a tornado or severe storm for bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease, I would think about it in three phases:  Before and during the storm. Keep necessary respiratory medications and airway-clearance equipment available if possible. Have extra medications and supplies in an emergency kit.

After the storm: Avoid cleanup involving dust or potential mold. If entering a dusty or potentially moldy environment is unavoidable, wear a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator for mold cleanup.

Watch for a change from your baseline. After major storm exposure, seek medical advice if there is a significant or persistent change in respiratory symptoms.

Tornado warnings themselves are not a specific threat to NTM disease. The concern is the aftermath: dust, mold, floodwater, debris, smoke, and disrupted access to medications or medical care. Have you dealt with a tornado recently? Do you have any advice to share with the community?

The recent weather conditions of extreme heat, poor air quality, rain can zap the energy out if some people who have BNTM lung issues. The blog article below reviews some tips on Energy Management. Please let me know if you have any additional tips to share with the community. https://social.bronchandntm.org/articles/blog/Energy-Management-The-Key-to-Living-with-NTMBronchiectasis

Hello! I hope that you have been able to enjoy some beautiful summer days. Below is a link to a blog article on Summer Precautions for Bronchiectasis and NTM individuals. The article reviews water precautions- the latest update is to boil water for at least 3 minutes after it begins to boil. Please let us know if you have any questions.https://social.bronchandntm.org/articles/blog/Summer-Precautions-for-People-with-Bronchiectasis-and-NTM-Lung-Disease

I have just purchased  Aqua Medix for my shower and kitchen sink, but want to cut off the pseudomonas at my bathroom sink also.   My bathroom faucet doesn't have removable hardware.   I need an under the sink unit to filter out or heat the water to over 140 degrees.  Any suggestions?

Hello! I have great news to report on the  time required to boil water to get rid of NTM. Jennifer Honda, PhD ,BNTM water expert presented an update at the recent NTMir Patent Conference. The research study, referred to as the BANTER study, Boiling Assessment of NTM in Tap Water Evaluation Regional, included top BNTM experts throughout the country including Dr. Joseph Falkinham , National Jewish Health and 7 other BNTM experts. The new recommendation is to boil water for 3 minutes!!! Wow! What a time saver. We don’t have to be concerned about boiling water for 10-15 minutes anymore when we are at home and or out and about. I look forward to hearing more positive updates that will lessen the time we need for daily therapies. 

If you have answered yes, please read the article below on the potential impact of wood burning stoves on your lung function: https://respiratory-therapy.com/public-health/healthcare-policy/environmental-news/indoor-wood-burning-linked-to-lung-function-decline/?utm_term=RT%20Five%20Oct%202025&utm_campaign_type=newsletter&utm_hsid=346581813&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-85hgtJ6I440gEgnDZGLOjgGLtTye-tO0pFFlIt7LxyZ1kbNByhjdT_QAZDsTGUwW9sa2Fs6hl8gvPi8cxwEL05lYRuXQ&_hsmi=383913554&utm_source=newsletter

Poor air quality can really take a toll on respiratory patients, leading to increased inflammation, wheezing, shortness of breath in some individuals. The link below provides a guide for you to better understand the different air quality flags: https://document.airnow.gov/air-quality-guide-for-particle-pollution.pdf

I only have Bronchiectasis, not NTM

We live off-grid. Does anyone know if NTM bacteria can be found in rainwater.

The information below is taken from a paper, Reducing Environmental Exposure to NTM, by Joseph Falkinham, PhD, May 3rd, 2021

Flush and Run Water in Unused Lines to Reduce Water Age. Water age refers to the time water stays in pipes in houses. The average water age in household plumbing is 1-3 days. Residence of water for over 3 days leads to a loss of disinfectant and the resulting growth of NTM and other waterborne pathogens. Increased water age can occur in plumbing in areas of a house that are unused; for example, in an unused bathroom or unoccupied wing of a house. The solution is simple, have someone not at risk for NTM disease to flush commodes and run water (5 min) in taps in unused bathrooms and in seldom used laundry tubs, half baths, and outside faucets.

Having another family member or friend flush the system will reduce your exposure to NTM. Enjoy your getaway.

It is recommended that you unscrew the showerhead and submerge it in undiluted bleach for 30 minutes. Remove it from the bleach and rinse before screwing it back on the shower tap.

It is also recommended to replace the showerhead with one that produces fat streams, not a mist.

Many “low-flow” showerheads produce a fine mist that contains droplets with high numbers of NTM; small enough to enter the alveoli of your lungs. Replace such a “low flow” or misting showerhead with one that has large holes (greater than 1 mm diameter).

Joe Falkinham’s paper on Reducing Exposure to NTM, 202

Increased humidity- moisture in the air can affect how many respiratory patients feel on a rainy day. The blog article below reviews the impact of weather changes on our bodies: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/BronchandNTM360social/Community-Discussions/Blog/Article/54/Why-Weather-can-Worsen-your-Lung-Condition

Happy New Year! I am curious if anyone else with Bronchiectasis/NTM washes their hair in the kitchen sink instead of the shower. After my first hospital experience 3+ years ago, I recall being told to avoid steam and the aerosols from the shower as much as possible. Therefore, I take super quick cool showers and have been washing my hair in the sink ever since. Any thoughts on this since it is a lot easier to wash your hair in the shower! Thanks!

I have done some reading on hydrogen inhalation therapy. There are references to it being helpful with lung problems and covid, but not specifically to NTM. I have been trying inhaled hydrogen and drinking hydrogenated water for a few weeks and I think it may be helping. Is there any research on this or has anyone else tried it?

Background: I have had NTM for almost 5 years, I've never had a successful culture so don't take any drugs.

The blog article blow reviews how weather changes, especially increasing humidity and dew point can impact respiratory patients:

https://social.bronchandntm.org/articles/blog/Why-Weather-can-Worsen-your-Lung-Condition

Environmental factors play a big part in Bronchiectasis and NTM. How do your activities change with the seasons? What are some new activities/hobbies you are doing with more daylight and warmer weather?