Predisposition What might increase your vulnerability to lung disease?

Yes I have 1 Cystic Fibrosis gene like many more of us on here. My Dr diddnt even know about this until I asked for the test, but many (6 years ago) were finding out that they also had 1 CF gene(and MAC), others had the alpha gene. Would be interesting to find out how many others have 1 CF gene.

I was also tested for the 1 CF gene and did not have it. After I was diagnosed years ago, I thought about my dad and how he used to cough for about a half hour every morning though. He seemed to be fine throughout the day though.

I also was tested and found to have 1 CF gene.

My Primary described it as the "Perfect Storm":
1) Long term asthma
2) Exposure to asbestos, industrial chemicals in the air where I grew up and paper dust in early work years
3) Repeated bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis
4) Heredity (I am 2nd of 3 generations with Bronchiectasis in my family, and 4th of 6 generations with asthma - my great-grandfather died of an asthma attack, my grandfather was moved "off the farm" and to town because the animals caused his attacks...)

I tested negative for the CF genes, but my daughter has 2, has complex asthma & bronchiectasis at age 40.

Sue

Maybe because I had TB at 3 y old?

How do I find out about my genes?

Your pulmonologist or primary can order a test for C.F. genes.

@franc9 My lung Dr sent me for tests, let us know how you get on.

I grew up with parents, both of them smokers. People of their times. It was “the thing to do.” Lots of Hollywood smoked. So I inhaled a good deal of second-hand cigarette smoke during my developmental years. And despite their efforts to discourage me following their example, by age 13 or so I was “experimenting” a bit.

Through high school, college and later graduate school I was an “off and on” smoker. I finally quit for the last time around 1976. Like my parents, I favored unfiltered Camels.
I suspect that smoking is more likely to contribute to cancer than directly to an infectious disorder though it probably does increase vulnerability across the board.

Smoking Camels while in college created an amusing moment one day when between classes a kid approached me to “bum” a cigarette. When I pulled a pack of Camels from my pocket he immediately waved me off. They were strong; initially made me dizzy which other brands didn’t do. Glad that unhealthy era is behind me. Don

I thought I had replied to your comment, Thumper, but I don't see it so I probably messed up. Please excuse me if this is a repeat.

The decadent 60's and 70's when good, smart folks smoked, baked in the sun and did some other things that those if us old enough can remember and blush about. Ah, If we only knew then what we know now!

While smoking is linked to copd it is not a known cause of bronchiectasis although people with copd are subject to getting bronchiectasis as well. Researchers believe that most bronchiectasis is caused by gerd with no symptoms of heartburn or acid taste. During "silent gerd", stomach contents come up the esophagus and are aspirated into the lungs causing damage. Those contents may also have bacteria.

There are tests to find out if a bronchiectasis patient has silent gerd. Is so, the treatment is not eating 2-3 hours before lying down (so stomach is pretty empty), boiling drinking water and sleeping with shoulders to hips at a 40 degree angle.

Dr Huitt talks about these and other things but I see her ntm talk is still not available on their YouTube page. Ntmir (information and research) is a great source. They do webinaires with experts on all things related to ntm. One can subscribe on their website, ntmir.com and get notification of the webinaires as well as sign up. They also do an all day patient/physician forum every fall. It is coming up in November and I would guess that's when Falkinham will be talking.