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Treatment Guidance Please...Bronchiectasis/Asthma/Reflux
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 13 7:29pm | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
@blm1007blm1007 It might be worth asking your doctor why over production of mucous is associated with a hiatal hernia. It may be a physical problem. This is a hernia that pushes though the diaphragm into the chest cavity. If it is serious enough, it can compromise the space for the lungs or the lungs ability to move properly. If you don't move the lungs enough, mucous can collect in them instead of being expelled. Mucous is the body's way to clear debris out of the lungs to wash it out which works until that gets blocked. This is why hospitals always want to get patients up and walking after surgery because of the anesthesia and pain medication that can affect breathing and cause mucous to pool in the lungs. Excess mucous stuck in the lungs makes a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses and can lead to pneumonia.
If you are having acid reflux (that can be associated with a hiatal hernia), acids can irritate the wind pipe, and that irritation can cause asthma or phlegm issues. If you have asthma, that also restricts breathing and adds resistance to getting rid of phlegm.
I do have asthma. Allergies make the mucous more sticky. What helps me is to thin the mucous with over the counter Guaifenesin which is the generic for Mucinex. Then, I clear it more easily and breathe much better, and I also have inhalers. With acid reflux, it helps to stop eating a few hours before bed, so the stomach can be empty with less acid, and some patients also sleep on a wedge pillow or set the bed so the head end is higher to keep the stomach more upright.
What do you think about asking your doctor if there is a physical therapist or lung specialist that can specialize in breathing issues? My elderly mom has an advanced hiatal hernia and it does compromise her lung function. She has had partially collapsed lungs at the bottom, and is now on oxygen from having had pneumonia. She wouldn't be a surgical candidate because of her advanced age.
Have you looked into having possible allergies? Taking anti histamines can help dry up mucus secretions that are being caused by allergies.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373379
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https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tuesday-q-a-gerd-a-more-severe-form-of-acid-reflux/
Replies to "@blm1007blm1007 It might be worth asking your doctor why over production of mucous is associated with..."
Hi Jennifer
Thank you for all that information...much appreciated.
Unfortunately that link didn't work for me. I believe I have some grass allergies but would be reluctant to add antihistimines regularly because of side effects. Would you mind sharing what the side effect concerns are?
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Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts and learnings.
I am glad you related the information about how the hiatal hernia can further cause problems with the lungs and breathing. I will pay closer attention to it all and now know, thank you,, that it is a possible answer if my breathing starts to change in a negative way.
For now all is good there, my PFT is off the scale in the right direction per the technician that gave me the test in May. I am 81 and 10 months into life so not quite sure how I would be looked upon, now, with what we hear after a certain period of life lived......'advanced age." I will probably start hearing those words from doctors 'advanced age, not eligible, etc., for the proceedure, surgery.' For now, thank goodnes, all I hear from the medical faculty is, '"You are doing really well for your age (Nice words to hear). Obviously meaning 'advanced age'' and due to the fact that until the BE diagnosis I hadn't been on any medications except for the couple of surgeries along the way.
I have been talking to myself about having another test to check the hiatal hernia to see if it is worse and to discuss all with the gastroenterologist and especially now with the information you were so kind to pass on to me.
I also must be sure my pulmonologist has paid attention to know I have been diagnosed with the hiatal hernia.
I have not had asthma diagnosed nor allergies with all the testing I have had with the local doctors and at NJH nor sinus problem with testing at Tyler.
Yes the phlegm and mucus began being a problem several years ago but only for a short time in the mornings. however, it is worse now and causes problems for me all day long. I make sure I bring it all up and out often, all day long.
I read a concern with taking Guaifenesin with a hiatal hernia. I was taking the liquid. I called the pharmacutical company that supplied it and the instructions I was given was to be sure to take with food. I actually decided not to take it at all. For me, so far, I can clear all easily.
Yes I am following all the guidelines for the unfriendly acid reflux.......diet, sleeping positions and sleeping aides etc. etc. Thanks Jennifer.
I use to wake up with a burning tongue and had said to myself that can only be acid and sure enough hiatal hernia diagnosed 10/2023. With all I am doing it very rarely happens now...it only happened once or twice when I was not careful about the time before going to bed.
I am trying, not as perfect as I would like to be, to be careful in all people and place situations etc. As we all do, I want to avoid anything that will cause me another problem of any kind...as in the Legionella and Mycoplasma Pneumonias that I had at the same time in the mid 1980's. Yup, survived!!!!
I lost my Mom to emphasema and my brother to COPD and BE. They couldn't stop smoking until it was too late. I never smoked.
Wishing your Mom easy, less troublesome, days and nights.
Thanks, Jennifer.