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Do you drink tap water?
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
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I’m looking at buying a Lifestraw pitcher but just confirm , do you recommend boiling the water first before pouring into the pitcher or is it ok to just use water straight from the tap as it’s going through the filter ?
Thank you. Hilary
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1 ReactionI pour straight from the tap. Also, I change out the larger filter four times a year instead of once. Additionally, I take the whole pitcher apart, scrub it, then put all the pieces in the dishwasher every so often.
Linda Esposito
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2 Reactions@hilarys26 I also fill my LifeStraw pitcher directly from the tap. Usually change filter 2x year (record it on my calendar). Occasionally, I also take it apart and hand wash it. There is a carbon filter at the bottom (for taste) that *should* be changed more frequently than the main filter, but I don't always get around it to.
Boiled water (for approximately 10 minutes) I use for nasal rinses, or boiling my nebulizers if I do not have my baby bottle sterilizer with me.
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1 Reaction@hilarys26 I don't have the pitcher and want to finally order one. I had not thought of your thought about boiling the tap water before placing it in the Life Straw. Interesting.
Knowing me I will probably boil first. In my mind we boil out the bacteria, I would rather do that to satisfy myself. Relying more so on the Life Straw filter to remove particles and debris etc. My thoughts and it may be overkill.
We all need to do what in our thoughts is important in our mind, experience and beliefs. Then also along with that...... what is comfortable for ourselves, what we can and are able to do.
Barbara
@becleartoday Thank you Linda!
@blm1007blm1007 I know....I feel like I'll go down my own rabbit hole. Its crazy isn't.....now when I'm boiling water for tea, for example, I let it boil for 10 mins as recommended, but then there's steam in the house from the kettle, oh boy!!. Maybe I should just walk around like bubble boy (:
Its good to laugh about it. All of these communications make me feel better!! Thank you!!
@hilarys26 Regarding the boiling...as long as it isn't creating a problem, the moisture which could possibly cause a problem on an outside wall due to temperature difference, I think of the boiling as helping with keeping the house humidity good due to my forced air heating system drying out the house in the winter and then doing the same in summer with air conditioning.
Yes, laugh, keep a positive attitude and just take it all in stride as best we can.
Mayo and all those involved with this Mayo Connect System to keep it going and then our BE patient friends on the system make all the difference in the world for us. It sure helps us to not feel alone with this journey we are all on.
Talk about tea...I just bought a new Wal Mart Better Good product. Its an apple juice with cinnamon and ginger. I dilute a quarter cup of the juice with the remainder being 'boiled purified water' for a cup of "tea." Happy I came across the product to enjoy it that way.
Barbara
Barbara
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2 Reactionsi find the life straw water bottle invaluable while traveling but hard to suck on. Does this count as swallowing excercises?
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1 Reaction@susannesemann it’s sometimes referred to as silent reflux if people have issues where they can feel the reflux tingling up in their throat or even at times as far as their nose. Singers are often treated for this issue. Chocolate, mint, caffeine, tomato and other acidic foods can trigger coughing and episodes of other gerd- like symptoms. There is lots of information online. Hope you find more helpful information.
@jnmy
Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate it. I’m in the process of getting an appointment at NJH and I’m thinking they will do some of the reflux/GERD tests and make appointments with GI, speech, respiratory, etc.
I will also keep searching online for additional info as well.
Thank you!