@526laura and @heathert Again, I agree with you, @auntnanny , bronchiectasis is incurable but can be managed. Because of bronchiectasis, the walls of the bronchi are thickened due to chronic inflammation and/or infection. This condition results in mucus/phlegm being accumulated/trapped inside the bronchi rather than being moved up and down freely. The accumulated mucus traps bacteria becoming hot bed for infections such as MAC. Here are the most common symptoms of bronchiectasis:
•Coughing up yellow or green mucus every day
•Shortness of breath that gets worse during exacerbations
•Feeling run-down or tired, especially during exacerbations
•Fevers and/or chills, usually developing during exacerbations
•Wheezing or a whistling sound while you breathe
•Coughing up blood or mucus mixed with blood, a condition called hemoptysis
Because bronchiectasis cannot be cured, we must try our best to clear out as much accumulated phlegm as we can on a daily basis. Many in this group are using devices to help with that. I have not used anything except diligent effort to cough up as much phlegm as I can manage everyday, especially in the morning. It is working for me. But if you are like some of the others who cannot cough up any phlegm, you may want to read through the postings here to find out what others are using.