Connect
← Return to Listen to Dr PJ McShane's Recent Talk on Airway Clearance!
Discussion
Listen to Dr PJ McShane's Recent Talk on Airway Clearance!
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jul 30 4:42am | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "Hi there! I agree. It is often difficult to know the cause of mucus and although..."
Linda - Regarding Dr. Heuitt and NJH "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." This is probably the reason they (NJH) involve the gastroenterologist and the various tests he does to see if anything shows that might indicate reflux. For a good couple of years prior to my BE diagnosis I was waking up with a burning tongue and thought acid was the cause and didn't know why it was happening. It did not happen during the day. BE diagnosis was diagnosed 8/2022 OKC and Hiatal Hernia 10/2023 during my first visit at NJH. To me and knowing my history this does make sense about reflux and BE. I am following the Acid Reflux precautions. However I failed on the intake of bread etc. for water absorbtion in the stomach. I do not wake up with burning tongue any longer and hope with adding more items to intake just before taking in liquid, it will help with the mucus. Thanks Linda
Thank so much for sharing this video,very helpful!
Connect
Thank you Linda. I had not seen this particular one with Dr. Huitt. What was interesting in the one I did see with her giving a talk....she was on reflux medications for a long period and then realized the negative sides of its usage and stopped using it. So, obviously we all learn our lessons, including fine doctors like Dr. Huitt. So sorry she retired. For myself, I turned down the meds for acid reflux due to all I read before seeing her video that mentioned her experience. I was at NJH 7/2023 and now go to Tyler. I'm a Jersey born but have lived in OKC most of my adult life. NYC now has a good couple of resources for those of us with BE...so if I have to move back to Jersey I know where to go. Thanks for the info about eating bread etc. after drinking water etc. I was told not to do it, drink water, late before bed nor when I wake up at night (Per Dr. L at NJH) due to acid reflux and have not been doing that, however, water, water ,water during the day. SO...I will be sure to have something to absorb the water during the day and hope there will be a difference. THANKS for making me realize what I didn't get, understand what needed to be done. Also the McShane video was needed by me. Another Thanks. You also, be well! Barbara Minkoff