Do you drink tap water?

Posted by becleartoday @becleartoday, Apr 17, 2023

How does the water we drink that goes into our stomach cause a MAC infection in our lungs and possibly more bronchiectasis?

The answer is two-fold: by inefficient swallowing and gastric reflux.

All of us micro-aspirate liquid into our lungs throughout the day. This might be from liquid “going down the wrong pipe” as can happen with swallowing issues, coughing, or “just because.”

Although a certain number of aspirations is considered normal and not a concern for those with healthy immune systems and lungs, this may not be the case for people with impaired airways.

Gastroesophageal reflux is another way bacteria can enter the lungs. Both acid and non-acid gastric refluxate can come up from the stomach and enter the lungs. This liquid can contain bacteria that have not been killed off by our stomach acid and possibly cause infection.

One way to help prevent reflux is to take precautions. These precautions might include:
🦠Raising the head of your bed
🦠After eating, waiting a couple of hours before lying down, doing airway clearance or exercising
🦠Squatting down instead of bending at the waist whenever possible
🦠Losing weight if overweight
🦠Not eating trigger foods

In addition to reducing swallowing issues and GERD, we can also reduce the MAC in our drinking water. Boiling water for 10 minutes, using a LifeStraw pitcher or drinking spring water will greatly reduce this exposure.

If you choose to drink spring water, do not drink from a water cooler as a MAC biofilm might be lining the inside of the machine. The same is true for refrigerator-filtered water and ice and Brita-like charcoal pitchers.

Not everyone with bronchiectasis will get a MAC infection. However, there is about a 10-20% chance one will and the precautions I have laid out can reduce that probability.

Some BE and MAC specialists tell their patients to just live their lives and not try to control bacteria that are everywhere in our environment. Others suggest taking preventive measures. So it is best for those with BE to have this conversation with your medical team and see what they recommend.

Bronchiectasis is a life-long condition and changes can be made over time.

Best,
Linda Esposito

#bronchiectasis #maclungdisease #ntmlungdisease #GERD #lifestraw

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jul 8 2:59pm

Yes, it’s an indirect route. Unlike showering or hot tub use where the bacteria can get directly into our lungs. And as I think you’re suggesting, we should do our best to control reflux.

sori | @sori | Jul 8 3:58pm

In reply to @becleartoday "Peace of mind is worth a lot! Why not just boil tapwater? Does the boiled springwater..." + (show)

@becleartoday
I don`t think there is difference in the taste . I can save money if I just boil tap water! On the other hand, I always have hard time handling the cases of water, they are too heavy for me. I have 10 compression fractures due to osteoporosis. Time for a change!!!

Thanks Linda!

Beejenigma | @beejenigma | Jul 10 6:06pm

In reply to @irenea8 "if we boil spring water or put it through a Lifestraw pitcher do we lose the..." + (show)

@irenea8 Boiling does not reduce minerals. Lifestraw does not remove minerals either.

helenkiwi62 | @helenkiwi62 | Jul 11 4:32pm

Hi Linda. I have started using the LARQ water bottle wherever I can to avoid drinking tap water. I have a small one in my car, one at work and one at home. I have also installed filters in my shower that filter out NTM. I probably would not have taken these steps had I not returned a positive sputum specimen to MAC only 3 weeks after finishing a course of three antibiotics taken for 15 months. I have also started taking Reflux Raft for GERD.

My specialist has the attitude you describe above where we shouldn’t try to control our environment but my response to that is that he hasn’t had to take these medications for (literally) years and if I can avoid getting another infection, I will.
Helen

vickihhh | @vickihhh | Jul 12 7:10am

In reply to @lbsaathoff "Linda- I am a new member and newly diagnosed. I’m the one that posted about extreme..." + (show)

@lbsaathoff ,
I am active and thought I was healthy but it turns out Ihave bacteria absessus in my lungs and was diagnosis Ed 6 months ago. . I am a few years older but have probably had it for a few years. No significant symptoms and also very anxious about what is coming. Would you like to contact me directly?

jeannempm | @jeannempm | Jul 12 10:27am

Are the LARQ bottles effective? I read (yes on the internet) that the UV needs be a certain wavelength to be effective in killing pathogens. I know there are many bottles like this out there. I just want to get one that will work.
I was just diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis--I believe just in one area. I am asymptomatic and cannot cough up anything so no sputum test yet. I asked for a lung CT because my sister has NTM. I will get another scan in 3 to 6 months. But I am quite terrified and feel it cannot hurt to take some precautions. Doc told me to clean all faucets and showerhead with bleach.

jeannempm | @jeannempm | Jul 12 10:44am

In reply to @helenkiwi62 "Hi Linda. I have started using the LARQ water bottle wherever I can to avoid drinking..." + (show)

@helenkiwi62 Are these bottles truly effective against MAC? I read that they need to be a certain UV wave length. I am new to all of this and scared, although I have only just been diagnosed with mild bronch.

helenkiwi62 | @helenkiwi62 | Jul 12 2:31pm

In reply to @jeannempm "@helenkiwi62 Are these bottles truly effective against MAC? I read that they need to be a..." + (show)

@jeannempm I believe they are (read: hope they are!)

kaybast | @kaybast | Jul 13 1:01pm

I have a filter system on my faucet in the kitchen and I fill up my drink containers from there . However I’m now doing antibiotic sinus rinses and was told to use distilled water not filtered water for the rinses. Past infections in left maxillary sinus and lungs have shown Pseudomonas… so I have to return to the Infectious Disease Center to see if this bacteria can be eradicated ! I’m in a holding pattern for Remicade infusions for high inflammatory markers in the blood, the bones and the gut due to the presence of Pseudomonas !
I live in an assisted living facility and last year the facility has a bout of legionella coming from they think the water system so it’s very important to pay attention to where you get your water intake . 6 residents were hospitalized with Pneumonia and one passed as he was 100 years old and just could not fight it. The others came home well. This is in the state of California and in doing some research it appears that Legionella runs through the state in wet systems ! Take good care !

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jul 13 7:02pm

In reply to @kaybast "I have a filter system on my faucet in the kitchen and I fill up my..." + (show)

@kaybast There are so many things one has to be aware of and consider when deciding on community living....and more so when one has Bronchiectasis or elderly as we are when we move into community living.
I know, for me, after giving thought to possibly moving into a community...I would have to understand their heating system, water system , types of flooring etc. etc.
I had Legionella/Mycoplasma Pneumonias at the same time in the mid 1980's. We. doctor and I, figured out I had the Mycoplasma first, dirty forced air heating filter, and Legionella second, water based heating system at work.
So sorry some of the residents had to go through all the care that such a pneumonia requires.
Barbara

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