Activity Feed

Hello! Safety and preventive measures are much easier to
address than curative measures.

BNTM DAILY SAFETY CHECKLIST

✅ Airway Clearance ☐
Completed airway clearance. Used proper technique (not rushed)

☐ Noted any change in sputum (color,
amount, thickness)

Equipment Hygiene ☐ Washed nebulizer/devices after
use ☐ Air dried completely

☐ Disinfected (as scheduled)

Hydration & Nutrition ☐
Drank enough fluids today

☐ Ate balanced, nourishing
meals. Noted any early fullness or appetite changes

Environment Awareness ☐ Avoided dust/construction exposure.
Took precautions with soil or gardening (mask/gloves) ☐
Limited exposure to steam, hot tubs, or aerosolized water

💊 Medication Safety ☐
Took medications as prescribed ☐ Noticed any side effects and reported
concerns as needed

😴 Rest & Energy Balance
☐ Balanced activity with rest ☐
Avoided overexertion. Listened to body signals

Reflux / Aspiration Prevention ☐
Avoided eating 2–3 hours before bed

☐ Elevated head of bed ☐
Noted throat clearing or morning cough

Symptom Monitoring ☐ Worsening cough, significant
increase in sputum, fever, and energy levels❤

Emotional Well-Being ☐ Checked in with mood/stress ☐
Connected with someone (text,call, support group) ☐
Practiced a calming activity

CALL YOUR PROVIDER IF: Symptoms worsen for 3–5 days, with noticeable
breathing decline, or new chest discomfort.


Consistency = Protection. Small daily actions help prevent big
setbacks 💙 

Safety and preventive measures
are much easier to address than curative measures. 
BNTM DAILY SAFETY
CHECKLIST 
✅ Airway Clearance

☐ Completed airway clearance.
Used proper technique (not rushed)

☐ Noted any change in sputum
(color, amount, thickness) 
Equipment Hygiene

☐ Washed nebulizer/devices after
use ☐ Air dried completely

☐ Disinfected (as scheduled) 
Hydration &
Nutrition

☐ Drank enough fluids today

☐ Ate balanced, nourishing meals.
Noted any early fullness or appetite changes 
Environment Awareness

☐ Avoided dust/construction
exposure. Took precautions with soil or gardening (mask/gloves)

☐ Limited exposure to steam, hot
tubs, or aerosolized water

💊 Medication Safety

☐ Took medications as prescribed

☐ Noticed any side effects and reported
concerns as needed

😴 
Rest & Energy
Balance

☐ Balanced activity with rest ☐ Avoided overexertion. listened
to body signals

🛏️ 
Reflux / Aspiration
Prevention

☐ Avoided eating 2–3 hours
before bed

☐ Elevated head of bed ☐ Noted throat clearing or
morning cough

🚨 
Symptom Monitoring

☐ Worsening cough, significant
increase in sputum, fever, and energy levels

❤ 
Emotional Well-Being

☐ Checked in with mood/stress ☐ Connected with someone (text,
call, support group)

☐ Practiced a calming activity 
CALL YOUR PROVIDER IF:

☐ Symptoms worsen for 3–5 days, with
noticeable breathing decline, or new chest discomfort.  Consistency = Protection. Small daily actions help prevent
big setbacks 💙

Hello! Do you have a car you no longer need? Turn it into something truly meaningful. Give your old car 🚗 a new purpose.
Put Hope in the Driver’s Seat with the COPD Foundation Vehicle Donation Program. Your generosity directly empowers the COPD Foundation’s efforts to support groundbreaking research, increase public awareness, educate patients, caregivers, and medical professionals, and advocate for the more than 350 million people worldwide affected by chronic lung diseases. Donate your vehicle to COPD Foundation by simply completing the form in the link and we'll reach out to you to arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation, at no cost to you. You may qualify for a tax deduction while supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart https://copdfoundation.careasy.org/
       Easy Process | Free Towing 
                 Tax Benefits

Hello! Happy National Doctors Day! We are so grateful to the doctors who have dedicated their careers to assist BNTM patients. The core group of BNTM doctors are committed to assist with the development of new drugs and treatments to improve the quality of our lives. 

These last days of March… can you feel the shift? 🌷

Longer days, changing weather, a little more time outside… and for many living with COPD, bronchiectasis, or NTM, this time of year can bring a mix of good days and a few surprises too.

So today, let’s do a quick check-in together—something simple, but really important:

👉 Have you noticed any small changes in your breathing this week?

Sometimes it’s easy to brush things off as “just allergies” or “just the weather,” but those early changes can be your body’s way of asking for a little extra attention.

Things like:
• Feeling a bit more short of breath than usual
• Needing your rescue inhaler more often
• A change in cough or mucus
• Feeling more tired than your normal

And for those living with bronchiectasis…

👉 Have your airway clearance routines felt a little harder lately?
Are you needing a bit more time, or not getting the same results you usually do?

That can be an important signal too.

💡 This is a great time to:
• Take a quick look at your action plan
• Stay consistent with your routines
• And don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor if something feels off

Catching those changes early can make a big difference.

And just as important…

👉 What’s one small win or bright spot you’ve had these past few days?

Maybe a steady breathing day, a short walk, a good laugh, or a quiet moment with someone—or something—you love 🐾

I’ll start—there’s something about these last days of March that makes me want to slow down just enough to notice the little things… and to listen when your body whispers, not just when it shouts.

Your turn—what are you noticing, and what’s been a bright spot for you? 💙

Hello! Are you interested in watching a great YouTube video on demographics, difficult-to-treat infections, exacerbations, hemoptysis, and more? This video is presented by the BNTM Association and Patient Care and Partner Webinar, Southeast Consortium/ Emory University, Dr. Colin Swenson, and other healthcare professionals.
 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uie7GwJ-GA
Let us know if you have any specific questions.

Are you interested in watching a great YouTube video on exacerbations and more? This video is presented by BNTM Association and Patient Care and Partner Network, Southeast Network https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uie7GwJ-GA
Let us know if you have any specific questions. 

Hello! Are you planning on traveling for the upcoming holidays? Below is some information that will assist you with your planning: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Travel
Unfortunately, TSA issues continue. Please pack adequate or extra supplies in the event of delays. Wishing you a good and safe trip. 

Hello all! On March 18, we had 54 COPD and bronchiectasis patients, caregivers, loved ones, healthcare providers, and COPD Foundation and Bronchiectasis and NTM Association team members join us for IMPACT Lung Health 2026 in Washington, D.C. to advocate for support of our policy priorities from our lawmakers. Together, we held 101 meetings with legislative offices representing 28 states, 56 Senate districts, and 45 House districts. Bronchiectasis and NTM Association advocates spoke with lawmakers about four critical priorities:
- Support the Development of New Bronchiectasis Treatment Approaches through FY27 Appropriations Provisions
- Increase Funding for Lung Health Research and Promote Innovative Treatments through FY27 Appropriations Provisions
- Co-sponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R.2902 or S.1406) to Ensure Medicare Patients have Access to Essential Oxygen Therapy
- Co-sponsor H.R.783 or S.240 to Enact Permanent Medicare Coverage for Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation

We are incredibly proud of our team of advocates and the progress we made together for lung health in Washington, D.C.! If you'd like to virtually support IMPACT 2026, you can urge your lawmakers to support our policy priorities by visiting our Advocacy Action Center: https://www.votervoice.net/COPD/Campaigns/135958/Respond

We want to extend a special thank-you to our sponsors who made IMPACT 2026 possible! Thank you Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi USA, Inc., Insmed Incorporated, Sanofi/Regeneron, Theravance Biopharma US, Inc., and Viatris. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Interesting new read today from the COPD Foundation on Pseudomonas in people with non CF bronchiectasis and chronic rhinosinusitis:


Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Bronchiectasis | Journal of the COPD Foundation


not sure if that will open the link, but if it doesn't and you're interested, easy to search it.
Have a great day,

Is it just allergies… or something more? 🌿💭

This time of year, it’s easy to blame allergies—maybe your cough picks up a bit, you feel more tired, or your breathing just feels a little off.

But sometimes… it’s not just allergies.

When Dr. Reddy joined us for our March Coffee Break, we spent time talking about exacerbations (flare-ups) and how important it is to recognize those early changes. This feels like a great way to keep that conversation going.

A few things to watch for:
• Increased coughing or a noticeable change in your cough
• More mucus, or mucus that’s thicker, darker, or different than usual
• Increased fatigue or feeling run down
• More shortness of breath than your normal
• Chest discomfort or tightness

What might lean more toward allergies:
• Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
• Sneezing and runny nose
• Clear, thin mucus
• Symptoms that improve when you’re away from triggers

The key? Knowing your baseline.
With bronchiectasis and NTM, your “normal” matters—and when something shifts, even slightly, it’s worth paying attention.

We also have a helpful section on exacerbations on our website (link at the bottom of the post) if you’d like to take a closer look. This is one of our regular check-ins as a community, because recognizing those early signs can make a big difference.

💬 Thinking back to that Coffee Break—what stuck with you? Have you ever thought something was allergies, but it turned out to be more?

Let’s keep the conversation going—your experience could help someone else catch it sooner.

https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Exacerbations

Hello! Warner temperatures have arrived in many parts of the USA. Have you been able to get out for a walk or some type of exercise? The link below reviews the benefits of regular exercise: https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Exercise

Hello! Are you looking for some inspiration today? Below are a list of 65 Spring related quotes: https://www.keepinspiring.me/spring-quotes/ 
Let us know if you find a favorite one that inspires you! 😍

Hello! Uplifting drug development news to share!!!The information below was posted by Dr M. Flammer, Chief Medical Officer at Insmed:
We are taking another step forward today to bring meaningful progress to people living with MAC lung infection. We shared positive topline results from our Phase 3b ENCORE study, which demonstrated encouraging and consistent results that provide a meaningful difference for those living with this serious infection.

Hello! Do you understand the difference between health care disparities and healthcare inequities? Health inequity and health disparity are related but differ in meaning. Health Disparities refer to measurable differences in health outcomes between groups, often influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, geography, or race. Health Inequity focuses on the unjust and avoidable differences in health outcomes that arise from inequalities. It emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of health differences, highlighting that these inequities are often rooted in social injustices and discrimination. Disparities are about measurable differences, while inequities address the fairness of those differences. 
Disparities can arise from various factors, including environmental influences, whereas inequities stem from social determinants such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare. A health disparity might be the higher prevalence of respiratory issues in a specific group compared to others. A health inequity would be the roadblock that prevents that group from getting quality healthcare, leading to worse health outcomes. Let us know if you have any questions.

Health inequity and health disparity are related concepts but differ in meaning. Health Disparity refers to measurable differences in health outcomes between groups, often influenced by factors like socioeconomic status, geography, or race. Health Inequity focuses on the 
unjust and avoidable differences
in health outcomes that arise from inequalities. It emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of health differences, highlighting that these inequities are often rooted in social injustices and discrimination. Disparities are about measurable differences, while inequities address the fairness of those differences. Disparities can arise from various factors, including environmental influences, whereas inequities stem from social determinants like poverty, education, and access to healthcare.A health disparity might be the higher prevalence of respiratory issues in a specific group compared to others.A health inequity would be the roadblock that prevent that group from getting quality healthcare, leading to worse health outcomes. Let us know if you have any questions. 

Finally a clear chest x ray 🙌 

Happy Saturday! I hope that you have a pleasant day! 

Spring has finally sprung!!! Yippee 🥳! Today marks the first day of spring, as of 745am. I hope that you are excited about being able to get out and about more frequently. Getting out for short or long walks is so good for our lungs, and our emotional wellbeing.https://www.calendardate.com/spring_2026.htm

Today is World Storytelling Day, and what better time to honor the power of your story. 💙

If you are living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or another lung condition — or caring for someone who is — your story matters more than you may realize. The hard days, the small wins, the setbacks, the strength it takes to keep going… all of it can mean something deeply important to someone else reading along.

Sometimes sharing your story is more than just opening up. It becomes a hand reaching out to someone who feels scared, overwhelmed, or alone. It shows others that even when life is not easy, there is still courage, resilience, hope, and a way to keep moving forward.

You may never fully know how many people are encouraged by your path, your honesty, and the ways you endure and thrive. But it happens every day in this community.

So for World Storytelling Day, we would love to hear from you. What has your journey taught you? What would you want someone newly diagnosed, or a fellow caregiver, to know? Your voice could be exactly what someone else needs today. 💫

Hello! An interesting but technical research article below on the reasons why some respiratory patients do not take or stay with the medications that their healthcare provider prescribes: https://journal.copdfoundation.org/jcopdf/id/1575/Determinants-of-Medication-Nonadherence-Among-Diverse-Adults-With-Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease

Let us know if you have any questions. 

Hello! An interesting but technical research article below on the reasons why some respiratory patients do not take or stay with the medications that their healthcare provider prescribes:  https://journal.copdfoundation.org/jcopdf/id/1575/Determinants-of-Medication-Nonadherence-Among-Diverse-Adults-With-Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease
Let us know if you have any questions. Determinants of Medication Nonadherence Among Diverse Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

It's National Let's Laugh Day. What makes you giggle or snort or tee-hee? Like they say, laughter is good medicine. (click on image)

It's National Let's Laugh Day. What makes you giggle or snort or tee-hee? Like they say, laughter is good medicine. 

Hello! An interesting but technical research article below about the determinants of non adherence of medications for respiratory patients: https://journal.copdfoundation.org/jcopdf/id/1575/Determinants-of-Medication-Nonadherence-Among-Diverse-Adults-With-Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease
Let us know if you have any questions. 

Health inequities in respiratory patients exist in different forms, impacting their access to care and health outcomes. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, and environmental pollutants, which exacerbate respiratory conditions. Certain racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates of respiratory diseases due to many factors, including discrimination in healthcare access and differences in treatment quality.Occupational health risks, such as exposure to harmful substances,  affect workers in specific industries, leading to higher incidences of conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Access to respiratory healthcare can vary by region, with rural areas often lacking specialized services and resources, leading to poorer health outcomes. Are you or a loved one experiencing health care inequalities in your area? 

Health Equity Matters for all BNTM patients.  Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life, get quality healthcare — no matter their zip code, income, race, education, or background. Health equity means removing barriers, addressing disparities, and ensuring access to quality care for all.  Fairness in health isn’t a privilege — it’s a right.  Have you experienced unfairness in healthcare practices in your community?

During this month’s Coffee Break, we talked about exacerbations—a sudden worsening of symptoms in bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease. If you’re curious to learn more on the subject, check out this previous episode of the Bronchiectasis & NTM Association Podcast: https://copdf.co/exacerbations-podcast. 

In this episode, Dr. Tim Aksamit, Medical Director of the Bronchiectasis & NTM Association, answers the top five questions about exacerbations submitted by the 360social community. Listen to learn how to recognize an exacerbation, track your symptoms, understand the role of the environment, and more.

Today is Impact Lung Health Day. Our BNTM team of advocates are meeting with our representatives in DC today. It is a long day of continuous meetings to increase awareness on BNTM  and to educate our representatives on how BNTM impacts our lives. Our overall  “ ask” is to secure more funding for research on BNTM. We are aiming for better treatments, coverage for pulmonary rehab and more.  
The greater the number of patients, the greater the impact will be. Let us know if you would be interested in joining the group for the annual event in March of 2027. 

Do you feel like speaking Irish/ Gaelic for the day? ☘️💚 Below are commonly used words/ phrases: https://happyirishwanderers.com/best-irish-phrases-you-need-to-know/
Let us know if you have a favorite Irish ☘️ phrase.