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BronchandNTM360social welcomes new member Alfred Moran who
joins 5,672 current members of our community.
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Below is a video with Steve Wilson, Joyologist on how National Laughter month got started many years ago: https://laughbox.aath.org/e/episode-146-the-handoff-with-steve-wilson/
😊😊
Brandon,
Great post! Humor is the best medicine of all. As Steve Wilson, a Joyologist says “ lighten up, not tighten up “. Having a chronic condition can add so much stress to our daily lives. However, we have to continually learn to adapt to a new normal and move on.
There are many benefits of humor. The more relaxed our bodies are, the greater chance of healing will occur. Humor produces endorphins similar to endorphins produced by running, and other forms of exercise.
To answer your question- sitting down to start a nebulizer treatment and realizing that the vials expired, or you took the wrong vials out of the drawer. Another example is remembering to carry my spacer for the inhaler when I go out. Dealing with daily therapeutic tasks is challenging but a sense of humor can keep you going forward. Have a great day! 😊
🕵️♀️🔎 Happy Scavenger Hunt Day, BronchandNTM360social! 🔎🕵️♂️
If you live with bronchiectasis or NTM — or care for someone who does — you already know that some days can feel like one big scavenger hunt. 😄
Searching for:
✅ Your nebulizer supplies
✅ The Aerobika or airway clearance device
✅ Pulse oximeter
✅ Inhaler you just had a second ago
✅ Saline vials rolling around somewhere
✅ Extra batteries
✅ The remote, your glasses, or your energy 😅
And somehow… the oxygen tubing always finds a way to wrap around absolutely everything.
So today, let’s turn it into a little fun for the community!
🎯 BronchandNTM360social Scavenger Hunt Challenge 🎯
How many of these can YOU find today?
☐ Nebulizer cup or tubing
☐ Saline vial
☐ Pulse ox
☐ Water bottle or favorite drink
☐ Airway clearance device
☐ Blanket for recovery/rest time
☐ A comfy “breathing spot” in the house
☐ A cough drop hidden somewhere unexpected
☐ A pet helping supervise your treatments 🐾
☐ Something that brings you comfort
☐ Someone who helps you keep going 💙
BONUS POINTS if:
😂 You’ve searched for your inhaler while it was in your pocket
😂 Your tubing tried to trip you today
😂 You found something in a completely random place and thought, “Well… there it is.”
😂 You’ve ever started a treatment and realized you forgot one important piece of equipment
Living with bronchiectasis or NTM comes with enough challenges already, so sometimes it’s good to laugh a little at the everyday moments we all understand around here. 💙
Drop a comment below:
👉 What’s the funniest thing you’ve had to search for lately?
👉 Or what’s the ONE thing in your treatment routine you can never seem to keep track of?
Let’s have a little fun with this one today, friends. 🔎💨
Welcome to BronchandNTM360social, Patricia JMJ.
Thank you for posting this, Brandon. It is such a warm and heartfelt message.
Welcome.....
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Heartfelt post Brandon!
Wishing everyone a pleasant holiday weekend. Katie
Patricia,
Hello! Welcome to the community. I am so glad you found us. Please scroll through our site and let us know if you have any specific questions. Katie
Hello! I am new to the community and look forward to learning and engaging with the group :)
Beautiful post- thank you Brandon!
Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful Memorial Day weekend!
Eileen,
Hello! I am glad to read that you are having a good day today. :) Katie
This Memorial Day weekend, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication helped protect the freedoms we hold close each day, and we remember them with deep gratitude.
For many throughout our BronchandNTM360social community, Memorial Day can also be a time of personal reflection. We think about the people we’ve loved and lost — family members, veterans, caregivers, friends, and members of this community who helped us through difficult moments, shared their stories, offered support, and reminded us that even during hard days, none of us truly walks this journey alone.
Living with bronchiectasis or NTM often teaches us the value of connection in a very real way. Sometimes the people who impact us most are the ones who simply understood what it felt like to struggle for breath, navigate treatments, carry worry quietly, or keep showing up despite exhaustion. Those connections matter deeply, and so do the people behind them.
When we lose someone important to us, we somehow learn to carry them forward — through the compassion they showed, the encouragement they gave, the wisdom they shared, and the strength they passed along to others. In many ways, they hand the baton to us.
And every time we offer reassurance to someone newly diagnosed…
Every time we answer a question, share a tip, listen without judgment, or remind another person that they are not alone…
…we continue the spirit of those who helped us get here.
That is part of what makes this community so meaningful. BronchandNTM360social is more than a place to talk about lung disease. It is built on understanding, kindness, resilience, and people helping people through some very difficult days.
This Memorial Day, may we remember with gratitude, hold close the people who shaped our lives, and continue honoring them through the care and compassion we show one another every day.
Wishing all of you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. ❤️
Thank you, Alyssa! You have made some excellent podcasts that can spark great discussions on topics that are on point, and so informative. Thank you for sharing!
Hi, feeling OKAY today ,hope you all have a good day,best wishes Eileen.
Das23, Hello! I am glad that you are checking the air quality index and pollen counts on a daily basis. Preventative measures are far easier to deal with than curative measures. :)
Alyssa, Hello! Thank you for adding your comments on the Air Quality Index and the Pollen Count apps. These subjects were covered in a different blog article. We appreciate any tips to breathe better throughout the spring and summer months. Following the tips will enable individuals with Bronchiectasis and NTM to have a better quality of life over the upcoming months.
Hello! Memorial Day officially kicks off the start of the summer season. I hope that you have some great plans scheduled. If you are not feeling well and are unable to get out and about as you would like to, we are here to support you. We have assistance available for you in many forms. In addition to the community support you receive here on BronchiectasisandNTM360, you can call one of our Patient Ambassadors directly at (833) 411-5864. Our ambassadors are real live patients with experiences similar to yours and understand your concerns. You can also email us at contactus@bronchandntm.org to get more information on any specific questions you may have. Our ambassadors can’t provide medical advice but may be able to assist you with additional resources.
Below is a blog article on Summer Precautions- there has been an update on the time recommended to boil water that was mentioned in a previous post. Please let us know if you have any questions. I hope that you make the best of each day going forward. :)
Summer Precautions for People with Bronchiectasis and NTM Lung Disease
I check the Pollen and Air Quality indexes every day this time of the year
This is valuable information, Katie! Another important point to note is the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the pollen index. AQI can directly impact individuals with bronchiectasis and NTM by increasing the frequency of exacerbations (flare-ups) and the risk of hospitalization. High AQI levels are often caused by pollutants, which can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, irritating the airways and resulting in increased mucus production. You can check the AQI on your local news or by visiting AirNow.gov. The pollen index tracks pollen concentration, and for those with greater sensitivity, it can help you decide when it’s better to go outside versus staying in a well‑ventilated, filtered indoor environment. There are APPs for this as well as Pollen.com.
We are excited about the growth in the Bronchiectasis and NTM space. We always welcome your feedback on how we can assist you! If you need help finding something, please feel free to email me at alyssa@bronchandNTM.org. I'm happy to help!
If you would like to learn more listen to https://social.bronchandntm.org/resources/detail/37. Katie supplies us with some great tips!
For many people living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease, allergy season can increase coughing, mucus, chest tightness, post-nasal drip, fatigue, and breathing irritation. Even “mild” allergies can place extra stress on sensitive airways.
Common allergy triggers may include:
• Pollen
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Strong fragrances & chemicals
• Smoke & poor air quality
• Pet dander
• Seasonal outdoor changes
Helpful reminders during high allergy days:
💧 Stay hydrated to help thin mucus
😷 Consider a mask outdoors during heavy pollen days
🪟 Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high
🧺 Wash bedding frequently in hot water
🚿 Bathe after being outside
🌬 Use air purifiers or clean HVAC filters if possible
💤 Prioritize rest and sleep
Always talk with your healthcare provider before starting new allergy medications or supplements, especially if you have multiple respiratory conditions. You are not alone in navigating the overlap between allergies and chronic lung disease. 💙
We are so fortunate to have BNTM Care Centers throughout the country. Limited options were available in the past, requiring patients to travel a distance by air and cover hotel expenses for extended stays. The BNTM field has expanded greatly over the past decade and will continue to flourish in the future.
Hey there! We have a CCN Center in San Diego. I will link the site details page so you can see a list of the providers. UC San Diego.
Does anybody have a pulmonologist in San Diego who they have found to be an expert in bronchiectasis?
Brandon,
Thank you so much for the reminders. It is okay to occasionally have other than a balanced diet when you are exhausted, overwhelmed with medical appointments, therapies. Having support enables us to keep moving forward. We understand your challenges and are here for you.
💙 Mental Health Month 💙
Living with bronchiectasis or NTM can be exhausting in ways people don’t always see. The lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, worry, treatments, appointments, and constant balancing act can wear on both the body and the mind. 🌧️
And sometimes, when we’ve been pushing through for too long, we forget that our mental health deserves care too.
Here’s the honest part: sometimes we’re all running a little low on fumes. 😮💨
And here’s the important part: asking for help is not giving up. It’s actually one of the strongest things we can do. 💪💙
Sometimes help looks like:
🫶 Talking with a friend
📞 Reaching out for support
🩺 Speaking honestly with your doctor
😴 Giving yourself permission to rest
😊 Or simply admitting, “I’m overwhelmed right now.”
And sometimes it’s realizing that stress-eating cookies for dinner may not count as a complete wellness plan. 🍪😄
Please be gentle with yourselves and with each other. This community was built for support, understanding, encouragement, and yes… a few smiles along the way too. 🌿
You are not alone. 💙
Change, adaptation to a new site does take a little time but we believe that we will be a more connected community as time goes forward. We are so happy that you have found us and we hope that you will check in regularly. 😍
The new Bronchiectasis and NTM 360social experience is here — and we’re so excited to finally welcome you in! 💙
For more than a year, a tremendous amount of work, collaboration, thought, and heart has gone into building this new space for our community. Every update, feature, and improvement was created with one goal in mind: making it easier for patients, caregivers, family members, advocates, and healthcare partners to connect, learn, and support one another.
We wanted this space to feel more welcoming, easier to navigate, and better connected to the resources that matter most to our community. From educational materials and conversations to Care Center Networks and shared experiences, we hope this new platform helps make finding support and information simpler and more meaningful than ever before.
Most importantly, this community continues to be built around the patient voice. That has always been at the heart of Bronchiectasis and NTM 360social — and always will be.
We know change can take a little getting used to, and we truly appreciate your patience, feedback, and encouragement as everyone settles in and explores the new features and layout. Your conversations, kindness, experiences, and support are what bring this community to life each day.
Thank you for growing with us and helping make this such a special place for so many. We can’t wait to see the new friendships, conversations, learning opportunities, and moments of encouragement that will continue to grow here together. 🌿
Many Thanks for the information,best wishes Eileen.
Looking forward to this year's celebration! So many wonderful plans are being put into place for our global community.
Hello! Early heat waves are occurring in parts of the USA today. Do you understand the meaning of the dew point, heat index and how it can impact individuals with respiratory issues? The blog article below defines such terms used by meteorologists that may assist you in better understanding the weather forecast. Many people listen to the temperature only and do not pay attention to the dew point number. Being prepared for changing weather patterns will assist you in planning throughout the summer months. Why Weather can Worsen your Lung Condition
I am looking forward to the 5th annual World Bronchiectasis Day! We have come along way in the Bronchiectasis space over the past decade. World Bronchiectasis Day continues to increase public awareness, education on the subject and research opportunities. I hope that you will assist in spreading the word about World Bronchiectasis Day!
Mark your calendars! On July 1, World Bronchiectasis Day brings us together to raise awareness about bronchiectasis around the world 💙
This year, the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association is partnering with nearly 30 global organizations. Bronchiectasis rates are rising worldwide, but this chronic lung disease is still under-recognized and under-diagnosed. Together, we can help more people get a timely diagnosis, access high-quality care, and live well with bronchiectasis.
Stay tuned for upcoming events, posts, and activities in honor of World Bronchiectasis Day 2026. RSVP now to join on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D21fKNfpQ/
Learn more at www.worldbronchiectasisday.org
Janh,
I fully understand. We do find out who our true friends, support system is over time. I got tired of explaining my situation to others and continued to socialize with only those who listened to me and understood that I was dealing with a chronic condition . These people understood that I was not contagious. We cannot fully social isolate ourselves since that can add on to our current challenges. Social isolation can lead to greater angst.
Janh,
I am glad that coughing is a little less. Hopefully, you will experience more relief soon.
Yes, vitamin A and other vitamins can be the cause of dry skin. Eucerin or other good quality skin lotions can lessen the dryness.
Maybe have blood work drawn for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Medications can sometimes causes deficiencies in these areas. With that said, deficiencies in some of these areas can cause dry skin.
This is great new information!!
I definitely think as a women it very much affects my social life. If I talk I get coughing and mucus. People stare and ask are you sick. I don’t like to discuss either everyone. So I find myself missing a lot. Miss cards going to lunch talking with people.
I have been on it for 4 months I have dry skin and have one reapirtory flareup. I agree mucus production not affected. Coughing a little less.
A little information on reverse osmosis for those who are unfamiliar with this method:
- Studies indicate that properly functioning reverse osmosis systems can significantly reduce or eliminate NTM from water.
- The effectiveness can depend on the specific system design and maintenance.
- Regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial to ensure the system operates effectively and continues to remove contaminants.
Many thanks for the information,regards Eileen
Reverse Osmosis is how we filter our water,hope this helps
Dry skin is treatable. Do you take a daily vitamin in case one of your vitamins maybe low as well?
I realize that this update in boiling water may have some individuals questioning whether or not 3 minutes is adequate time to boil water after being accustomed to boiling water for 10-15 minutes.
I have been boiling water for over 10 minutes for many years. This latest research on boiling water was done at 10 centers throughout the country.
I am adding 2 extra minutes for extra precautions, my personal preference. Five minutes is still far better than 10-15 minutes.
I am noticing one side effect....... dry skin. I began using OTC healing lotion which helps with that one.
Hello! Springtime can bring on an increase in respiratory symptoms for some individuals. Many respiratory symptoms overlap in different respiratory disorders. Do you understand what causes wheezing? The blog article below reviews the causes of wheezing and treatment options.
Wheezing and the Bronchiectasis/NTM Patient
Please let us know if you have any questions.
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 Bronchiectasis and NTM, please consult a physician before making changes to your own Bronchiectasis and NTM management plan.
Community posts are monitored by the 360social Community Manager, as well as staff respiratory therapists, educators, and other medical professionals.