Bronchiectasis and staving off recurrent infections

One of my best friends endured years and years of asthma and finally went to National Jewish Health in Denver. They explored all of his ailments for a week. One of the things that they discovered was that he has sleep apnea. They gave him great advice and things to follow and he has never felt better, he feels cured in a away. The Drs in LA had been giving him bad information for a long time. Really recommends the National Jewish Health.

Thank you so much @hauoli

Emport, this may seem an unlikely approach but considering the current recognition of the significance of the gut/lung axis I’m of the opinion that we shoot ourself in the foot if we ignore the importance of keeping our gut healthy by loading our daily diet heavily with whole, non-processed plant-based foods some of which are fermented (e.g., unpasteurized sauerkraut). Similarly, significantly diminish your intake of animal flesh.

I didn’t hear him say it, but it’s widely reported that ole Hippocrates once said, “let your food be your medicine.” He may have said “thy” instead of “your,” but you probably get my drift. Don

Don, I am on your page with diet recommendations 👍🏻
I can swear (simply by scientific elimination/addition trials at home) that diet/gut/lung relationships are key. I have been plant based for 5 yrs...and dose with pre&probiotics 2xday plus eat fermented foods daily...without them...I suffer more...gastro wise..fatigue...and overall. Thank you for reminding all about that important connection.
Regina

Covid lock down had the positive effect for me that I did not pick up bacteria or viruses that triggered my bouts of bad bronchitis. In normal living I would have three terrible weeks every few months fixed with high pred and Augmentin forte. I am going to have my second shot soon and could then travel to see grand and great grand kids which would be wonderful. But I worry that I will get bad attacks again ????

Prednisone weakens your immune system providing more opportunity for infected airways. Ask your doctor to provide a steroid inhaler instead of prednisone which might help.

Linda is correct, sometimes a long-acting inhaler is a better control choice when one is prone to repeated infections.
Sue

An oral steroid, like prednisone, is preferred for those of us prone to bacterial infections. An inhaled steroid such as budesonide goes directly into the lungs setting up an environment that bacteria like.

Regina, the gut/lung, gut brain "axis" reminds me of an old quip that has it that "if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy." Seems like if one's Microbiota "ain't happy," ...well you can take it from there. good eatin' Don

Are your sinuses the culprit? I have had bronchiectasis for 8 years, and after all the treatments and procedures it’s become clear that treating the sinuses with nasal rinses twice daily - saline plus budesonide in my case - and regular examinations with an Otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) is an important part of health management. An undiscovered infection in my sphenoid sinus, which turned out to be beyond a very deviated septum, appears to have likely started the whole thing.
The masks we all wear due to Covid have really helped. I will probably always wear one indoors.