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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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@alizdas Thanks so much. I will read it.
Linda- I am a new member and newly diagnosed. I’m the one that posted about extreme anxiety! 😩
I will be ordering your book and most likely schedule a consultation soon. I just wanted to let you know how helpful your info on YouTube has been for me. Thank you so much!
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1 ReactionI still boil the bottled Spring water because I have GERD secondary to Chron`s disease and gastroparesis. It worries me to aspirate, specially during my sleep. I wish I could let my worries go. Hugs!
Peace of mind is worth a lot! Why not just boil tapwater? Does the boiled springwater taste better?
Warm regards,
Linda
if we boil spring water or put it through a Lifestraw pitcher do we lose the valuable minerals of spring water?
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1 Reaction@irenea8 Irene....considering the environment today and not knowing how they gather the spring water. and all conditions.....what do we do???????????
I actually want to stop buying Purified Water and boiling it but buying expensive equipment for whole house etc and needing to change the filter myself if under the sink etc.....not doing that either.
The purified water does have a better taste than the city tap water. Even with bottled water, how well do they keep the lines etc. etc. that the water travels through to the bottles????? So much we do not know but have to assume.
As always, it is what we are comfortable with and just trying to do our best.... not knowing everything.
Barbara
@irenea8 Hi Irene!! Boiling doesn’t remove minerals, it kills microorganisms. Even if a filtration method does reduce some minerals, for most people those minerals can easily be obtained through a balanced diet and other beverages.
Warm regards,
Linda
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4 Reactions@irenea8 Some of them. Especially boiling tends to precipitate out minerals - look at the residue in the pot when you finish. I cannot speak to filters, but most very fine ones would have the same effect on any particles above .2 microns.
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1 Reactioni have never worried about my spring water that comes in glass bottles. That is what I drink. But I do wonder if I should. My past sputum tests for MAC have never grown it. But I do test very positive for Pseudo. I would prefer not to have to boil or filter but not at all sure it is necessary. I do not think my water is one that was tested. It is Mountain Valley Spring.
Isn't the big problem with water we drink due to the risk of reflux?
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