Be Clear-A Self-Care Method to Living with Bronchiectasis

07/25/2025

Let’s be honest…

When you live with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis or NTM, daily management can feel like a full-time job. Airway clearance, sterilizing equipment, eating healthy, staying active—it’s a lot.

But in the midst of doing all the things, we often forget what might be the most important one of all: breathing.

Not just breathing to survive—but breathing to restore, to ground ourselves, and to rest.

That’s why I’m over the moon about a free event sponsored by NTM Info & Research in honor of World NTM Awareness Day — happening Monday, August 4th.

🌿 Mindful Breathing and Its Potential Benefits for Symptom Management

Speaker: Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian, PhD, C-IAYT

Medical University of South Carolina

Date: Monday, August 4th

Time: 4:00 PM ET

🔗 Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5jjm97f

Can’t make it live? No worries—it will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers.

Dr. Balasubramanian is a leading researcher in the science of Pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control.

His work explores how breathing techniques affect salivary biomarkers and overall well-being—bridging ancient wisdom with modern science.

He’ll also guide us through simple, practical breathing exercises inspired by ancient texts to help us manage symptoms and support daily wellness.

Whether you’re new to breathwork or curious about its potential role in respiratory care, this is a talk you don’t want to miss.

Please share this important awareness event‼️‼️

07/25/2025

It’s been a concern of mine over the years that many of our men with bronchiectasis tend to hang back—whether in support groups or online spaces.

But here’s the thing: just because bronchiectasis affects more women than men, doesn’t mean our guys should go without support. Your experience matters. And you deserve a space to be heard.

That’s why I’m excited that the upcoming men’s Bronchiectasis & NTM global support group will be led by John Torrence—not only an experienced support group facilitator—but also a kind and thoughtful human being.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him at a few conferences, and I can tell you: he listens, he cares, and he gets it.

So this is your invitation to a place where you can be real, get support, and connect with others who understand the weight you’re carrying.

So let’s bring it in‼️

Email Trisha today to reserve your spot!
ntmmail@ntminfo.org

Please note that caretakers are also welcome to attend and one does not need to have NTM disease to join.

NTM Info & Research
Bronchiectasis Info & Research
COPD and Bronchiectasis Support Group - LCP
Bronchiectasis Management
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis and NTM Association

07/24/2025

Sometimes we have our airway clearance device with us when we’re out and about.

Other times, Bika is resting at home.

So what can we do if we feel mucus starting to build up — and it’s threatening to ruin our day?

Breathing techniques‼️‼️‼️

Why is it that a simple breathing method — like the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) — often makes those of us living in the U.S. feel unsure?

The truth is, ACBT is straightforward. It’s not a technique I use every day, but it is one of the most common and well-established forms of airway clearance worldwide.

This method cycles through three types of breathing:

✅ Breathing Control
✅ Deep Breathing
✅ Huffing
You repeat this cycle until your chest feels clearer.

1️⃣ Breathing Control

Breathing control helps you relax and recover between the more active parts of the cycle.
Breathe gently in and out through your nose if you can — if not, use your mouth.

If breathing out through your mouth, try pursed-lips breathing (as if gently blowing out a candle).

Relax your shoulders and let go of tension with each breath out.

Gradually slow your breathing.

Closing your eyes can help you focus and relax.

2️⃣ Deep Breathing

Deep breathing helps open your lungs and loosen mucus.

Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, keeping your chest and shoulders relaxed.

Breathe out gently, as if sighing.

Repeat 3–5 times, or as advised by your RT or physiotherapist.

Some people find it helpful to hold their breath for 2–3 seconds at the top of the breath before exhaling — try both ways and see what feels better.

3️⃣ Huffing

Huffing moves mucus up your airways in a controlled way, without the strain of a full cough.

Take a medium breath in.

Squeeze the air out through an open mouth and throat — as if fogging up a mirror.

Use your abdominal muscles to help, but don’t force it so hard that you wheeze or feel tight.

Always follow huffing with a few rounds of breathing control.

So, practice, and check out some YouTube videos on ACBT.

I’ll be making one soon‼️

Click below to watch a short heartwarming video of people around the world —Ireland, the UK, Tanzania—using their Aerobika🩵💙❤️

https://youtu.be/GPlkzn0_TSQ?si=nANswPrrVLBFJ_ky

Sketch credit: Association of Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care

07/23/2025

If you are clearing your airways late in the day, but you still cough at night, check out these recommendations from my favorite laryngologist (throat doctor) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) expert Dr. Inna Husain :

“Are you waking up at night with a cough?
Sore throat? Nasal congestion? Sensation of mucus dripping in your throat?

Look out for these 4 seemingly innocent behaviors that may be triggering your symptoms.

1 Using a ceiling fan: the blades are notorious for collecting dust and when turned on, spread it throughout the air. This can be very irritanting to your nose, throat, and lung lining.

2 Snacking before bed: not giving your stomach enough time (for most 2-3hrs) before sleeping can lead to increase risk of reflux at night. Besides the traditional heartburn, it can also manifest with sore throat, mucus, cough, even nasal congestion.

3 Using the wrong pillow: flexing your neck while you Sleep can narrow the airway making snoring, disordered breathing, and throat irritation and dryness. Elevating the head can be helpful for those with post nasal drip or reflux, but you want to make sure it’s like a smooth ramp or wedge.

4 Using your phone in bed: blue light reduces your natural melatonin, weakening upper airway tone and delaying sleep onset. But, it’s also a hormone that helps keep acid in your stomach, reduces acid production, and protects your esophagus.

So, when it’s low, higher risk of reflux which can cause cough, poor sleep, mucus, and even nasal congestion.”

✨ Follow Dr. Husain on Instagram & Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and research on LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) and related conditions!

🔥 Did you know? Both acid and non-acid reflux can be underlying reasons for bronchiectasis progression?

🎥 To learn more — and discover practical tools — check out my Reflux Toolkit video on YouTube‼️

https://tinyurl.com/4mspzhh5

07/22/2025

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but… The Ombra® Table‑Top Nebulizer Compressor by Monaghan Medical is designed to work only on 120 V / 60 Hz power, like the outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

It cannot be used overseas — even with a voltage converter — because the 50 Hz frequency used in most other countries can damage the motor and affect performance.

If you need a nebulizer for international travel, consider the Pari Trek S, which is designed for multi‑voltage (100–240 V) and is much better suited for use abroad.

So double‑kiss your Ombra and know she’ll be waiting for you when you return.

07/21/2025

Didn’t get a chance to read the BE CLEAR with Bronchiectasis Summer Newsletter? No worries — I’ve got you covered!

Click here to read the newsletter‼️
https://conta.cc/3TsY2cE

Email from BE CLEAR with Bronchiectasis, LLC Feeling Better with BE QIGONG TO OPEN LUNGS AND CLEAR STRESS Did you attend — or catch the recordings from — the NTM and Bronchiectasis Conference held t

07/21/2025

Dr. Edward Chan is a pulmonologist and researcher on the faculty of National Jewish Health, an Air Force veteran, and a physician at the Rocky Mountain Veterans Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

When asked in an interview what his key to success is, he said:

“Being mindful, having perseverance, and above all, being kind to all.”

I would add: “Generosity with one’s time and encouraging and helping others.”

When my book, The BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis, was published in 2021, I sent copies to over a hundred physicians.

Dr. Chan not only emailed me to share his kind words about the book, he also asked if he could cite it in a paper he was writing and even offered to distribute my informational postcards in the waiting areas at NJH.

That spirit of generosity was no surprise to me. I had already experienced it when he spoke to our Palm Springs support group, run by Bronchiectasis & NTM Info and Research.

His presentation lasted nearly an hour and a half, complete with a detailed slide deck and thoughtful answers to every question.

You can watch his comprehensive talk here:

https://youtu.be/9PYBYzeKgDc?si=P1JVjFVhJMlLIAjG

If you want to focus on airway clearance (where Dr. Chan actually demonstrates techniques!), skip to about the 29-minute mark.

Dr. Chan leaves no stone unturned, covering everything from diagnosis to day-to-day care. And while his talk focuses on Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, the airway clearance principles apply equally to bronchiectasis.

Some highlights of his airway clearance discussion include:

⭐ Breathing techniques
⭐ PEP devices
⭐ OPEP devices
⭐ Using hypertonic saline
⭐ Sterilizing airway clearance equipment

Thank you, Dr. Chan, for your kindness, thoroughness, and dedication to educating and supporting those of us living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease.

Bronchiectasis and NTM AssociationnMonaghan Medical CorppBronchiectasis Info & ResearchhFind a cure for BronchiectasissCOPD and Bronchiectasis Support Group - LCPPBronchiectasissBronchiectasis Managementt

07/20/2025

Done is better than perfect.

Perfectionism can be paralyzing. You delay starting, overthink every detail, because you’re afraid it won’t be “good enough.”

But here’s the truth:

✨ Getting something done—even imperfectly—creates momentum. You can always improve later.

✨ Action beats inaction every time.

✨ Letting go of perfection reduces stress and anxiety, making progress feel sustainable.
This doesn’t mean you settle for mediocrity.

It means you take action, learn from experience, and improve over time—without letting the pursuit of perfection get in the way of progress.

And here’s something especially important if you’re living with bronchiectasis:

Don’t compare yourself to others. Conference after conference reminds us—people with this disease have very different profiles.

Some have lots of mucus, some less.

Some gain weight easily, others struggle.

Some tolerate exercise well, others need to pace themselves.

It’s okay if you don’t do everything someone else is doing. Holding them up as your model can set you up for frustration and self-blame.

So: take the step—the one you’re willing and able to take today.

Your future self will thank you.☺️

Letsbecleartoday.com

07/19/2025

Many of us experience shortness of breath, especially when climbing stairs. A tip is to start first pursed lip breathing at least 30 seconds before hitting the staircase. Oh, what a difference!

07/17/2025

‼️Exciting New Research: Why Inhaled Antibiotic Trials in Bronchiectasis Show Inconsistent Result‼️

Why do replicate Phase III trials of inhaled antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection sometimes produce inconsistent results?

The answer, it turns out, may lie in the endotypes of disease — distinct biological subgroups of bronchiectasis characterized by differences in microbiology, inflammation, and geography.

The study, led by Rebecca Hull and colleagues, analyzed sputum samples collected from participants in the pivotal ORBIT-3 and ORBIT-4 clinical trials of inhaled antibiotics.

The research team performed a sophisticated combination of analyses.

This approach allowed them to build detailed biological profiles of a global cohort of bronchiectasis patients with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and to correlate these profiles with clinical outcomes — including frequency of exacerbations and response to inhaled antibiotic therapy.

Key Findings

⭐ Heterogeneous Patient Profiles: The researchers found that patients with chronic Pseudomonas infection exhibited markedly different microbiota and inflammatory patterns.

⭐ Geography and Microbiota Matter: When the team accounted for variations in microbiota profiles and geographical distribution of patients between the two ORBIT trials, the treatment effects of inhaled antibiotics became more consistent — and aligned closely with previous research.

⭐️The Importance of Endotyping: These findings underscore the critical need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to clinical trials in bronchiectasis.

As the field moves toward personalized medicine in bronchiectasis, research like this lays the groundwork for smarter, more targeted treatments — and better outcomes for people living with this complex condition.

07/16/2025

Taking a bite out of the burden of bronchiectasis — one conference, one conversation at a time.