Best Climate for Bronchiectasis

I am very curious as to whether the prevalence of NTM is some areas is also linked to the knowledge and expertise of doctors in recognizing and diagnosing it.

In other words, "if you look for it, you will find it." For example, although dry, dusty conditions and soil types in New Mexico would seem right for pockets of infection, little is diagnosed, but much of the state has limited access to medical care, so is it there and we don't know it? On the other hand, I know two people recently diagnosed who are totally asymptomatic - tests were done for something else and revealed NTM.

So until there is a simple, universally available test for NTM, do we really know it's prevalence?

I completely agree Sue. My sisters live in New Mexico and generally speaking it is a very rural state with low income and access issues. For all I know, I got my NTM buggers there, as I visit each year and we do lots of hiking in that dessert dust.

Tee-hee … desert. 😉

I might add I developed my NTM in the dry Colorado plains, visited the gulf coast 6 times then made the move to the beach, primarily for the increased oxygen.

It is interesting to me that climate and its effects has on Bronchiectasis. I live in bone dry winter conditions in NH and my lungs need extra inhalant help from nebulizer to get the gunk out. Lungs also hurt more from being outside. NH is starting to not look ideal for me.

I can't find her comment now, but someone posted that we decrease our fluids a lot in winter (since we're not perspiring) which can lead to some dehydration. Thus, making the gunk harder to expel. So, I am planning to up my fluids to see if that makes a difference.

Thank you for that info. On surface, that makes sense. I'll up my intake more too.

@scoop was talking about me...my pulmonologist says to drink as much water in winter as if you were out walking or mowing lawn in summer. We don't feel hot, nor perspire, but the dry air more than compensates. I'm fine with 64 oz water/herbal tea a day - drop below and I get thick gunk in my lungs and throat. Also, IF I go out in the cold, I have to drink even more.

My lungs like our schedule - Northern US in summer, far South Texas in winter - we manage to do it on a budget - live in a 400sf mobile home we bought used, our lot rent is $300/month, fresh produce is abundant and cheap, and all of us in our community know where to find free or low cost entertainment. We shut off our water & lower our heat at home and GO!

I actually think our current schedule contributed to my lung ill-health ... Gusty desert dust most of the year, and then mobile home living in the MS woods for a few weeks in the spring and fall. As per your suggestion, I'm going to make myself drink more water!!! Do you think it matters if it's hot or cold?

I don't think there is any difference of the temperature of water for hydration - the only concern is if either extreme of temperature causes you a problem. For example, sometoimes cold water sets off coughing spasms for me.