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Listen to Dr PJ McShane's Recent Talk on Airway Clearance!
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jul 30 4:42am | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
I can vouch about the amount of water and how if affects the sodium. With all the reasons that come into play later in life and as well with Bronchiectasis....the bladder releases more fluid with sodium. If I am not taking in enough sodium to replace the lost sodium I have leg and foot cramps. I watch the sodium on a daily basis and drink at least four glasses of warm water a day and soup at night. I boil purified water, my choice. This has worked for me somewhat, as I still turn out on tests to be dehydrated. The sodium count was O.K. to my understanding. Nothing mentioned of not having enough sodium. For me at 81 and 7 months I have made it a practice for years to know my body's needs as best i can. Everything is different for each of us . I also, since being diagnosed with BE, am careful with what I eat so not to weaken my immune system. Mostly plant based protein, veggies and fruits. I believe I have had BE for several years but it did not flare up with the need to clear my throat until a few years back and then in 2022 my PCDoctor felt it was time for a C Scan due to my weight loss. To date I have not had an exacerbation and waiting to know if antibiotics are going to be suggested with several positive MAI sputum results. My main problem is that I am not sure why I constantly have mucus on its own coming up into my throat and my having to clear it out...all day long. However, without medical confiration other than having a hiatal hernia, this mucus might be because of what happens with a hiatal hernia...mucus to counter acid. So hard to know in the big picture of things. Thanks Linda for your post(s).
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Hi there! I agree. It is often difficult to know the cause of mucus and although it is something we probably don't want to hear, it could be coming from multiple sources! That's why going to a center like the Mayo, National Jewish, or where I go, NYU, makes a difference. Their bronchiectasis team is multi-specialty and hopefully, the clinicians work together to figure things out.
For example, if you chronically clear your throat that causes irritation and can be a source of your body trying to protect tissues by laying down a coat of mucus. Or, it could be coming up from your lungs. Or, as you said, the hernia might be causing reflux. Also based on Dr. Huitt, the retired head of Infectious Disease at NJH, all the water you are drinking could cause reflux.
I jokingly say her name should be "Gerdtrude" instead of Gwen because she strongly believes and many at NJH still do, that reflux is a prime player in bronchiectasis as refluxate can be aspirated into the lungs and cause inflammation and infection.
She would suggest patients only consume 6 ounces of liquid (this includes shakes, fruits, vegetables and soups) per hour. Her fear was that larger consumption of liquids would slosh into the esophagus and cause reflux and perhaps be aspirated. Dr Huitt suggested that if we must drink more than 6 ounces, to eat a piece of bread, some pretzels or a similar carb to absorb the liquid and keep it in the stomach.
I am a health educator and not a clinician so before you change your current practices, consult your medical team. This is just food for thought and discussion points.
Here is one of my favorite Dr Huitt talks:
BE well,
Linda Esposito