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Environmental Risks Explained by an expert -showers, swimming, hiking
This was posted today by a noted expert in NTM regarding risks and aerosols on another NTM & Bronchiectasis site. (ntminfo.org)
For those of you asking about enjoying the outdoors, rest assured that your risk of infection from your surroundings is low because of SPACE - in open air any germs are well-diluted by huge volumes of air.
His post:
"Yes, with the fact that MAC and NTM are everywhere, the concern is that there is no safe place.
Well, the important fact to remember is space. Showering in a bathroom exposes someone to a high density of NTM aerosolized from water to air by the showerhead. Further, staying in the misty bathroom means the exposure duration is longer.
Outside, NTM mists from waterfalls and rapids are diluted by the large volume of outside air. The same holds true for a hot tub. Outside hot tubs of spas are okay because the mist from the tub or spa is diluted by the outdoor air. An indoor spa or hot tub exposes one to an NTM mist in a closed space for a long period of time.
Swimming in lakes and streams is okay as long as you don't swallow lots of water and have gastric reflux (GERD), again as the aerosols from the water are diluted by the vast volume of air.
Outside rambles are fine, as long as one doesn't find themselves in an enclosed space, like a cave or grotto by waterfalls."
Joseph Falkinham
Professor of Microbiology
Virginia Tech
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I keep having infections, 3 to 4 per year. I get rid of one and another hits. Could it be hairspray? I loved Redkin #18 it smelled great and my hair wasn't stiff or sticky. Used it for at least 10 years . They quit making it but I found and bought a 1 year supply of the great hairspray. I ran out in early 2023 and been trying since then to find something that doesn't make my head itch. Have tryed every brand out there but I don't want stiff hair either. Finally went back to Redkin and trying the new Quick Dry hairspray . . . . oh, my gosh, instant asthma attach. It hangs in the air so I ran out of the room. Got a weird sprayer on the end of it. So now I am wondering if hairspray has NTM's in it. Not the pump kind but spray kind. My Dr. said you having so many infections what has changed . . . . it hit me, been trying new hair spray for the last year and a half. Could that be it?
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1 ReactionWhere does Dr. Falkingham post things? Is it some site that we can follow?
Wow Sue.....you do have one of those difficult journeys many us have had go down to get the right diagnosis.
From the time you started feeling sick and your first visit to a Dr. to say "something is wrong" to the final and correct diagnosis with an ID doctor, how long was that, approximately.
For me I think my journey was about three years before my hearing "you have BE. by my PCP.
Thank goodness, for me, BE had not gone beyond what NJH indicated as mild, nor the infection of MAI. However, as I have stated in the last couple of posts.....I am to start on Ethambutol and Azithromycin.
Wishing you easy days this weekend.
Barbara
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2 Reactionshttps://connect.ntminfo.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments?LibraryKey=6dbdb2b3-df3c-4fc3-966f-85f4fd8d158f&CommunityKey=ea692b2f-f94b-4057-a50d-955dfaeeb9df
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3 ReactionsI'm curious if anyone knows pros and cons of essential oil distillers or herbal simmer pots?
Do you mean oil and oil blends for diffusing?
If so, a link to this paper was posted on Lung Matters Facebook group. The bottom line is that diffusing some essential oils might emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which is not good for breathing. When I diffused essential oils I loved it and was particular about the oils I purchased. I decided to stop because of the potential VOCs. Sad face.
https://nebula.wsimg.com/81e47269a4d218f17f42c5613b679726?AccessKeyId=5D08F679D61730E5CF3A&disposition=0&alloworigin&fbclid=IwY2xjawGXSQ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeea6zDTSxc27xMCIvU5wNpaC3f5wfmJhYN8SBvOhwe2lcbdJrY3Q1AP1g_aem_JDGk51SeWgnnlHT3lZOFjQ
Oh that is sad to hear. I do wonder if using actual fresh herbs in a simmer pot is OK. I have heard that herb steam inhalations is good for certain respiratory ailments. But perhaps it could do more trouble than good for those with BE
Regarding fresh herbs.
I want to make tea with tumeric powder spice that comes in the sealed spice bag and have given second thought to it.
How do we know if has been processed in a healthy way that wouldn't cause us harm.? That is my dileimma.
Tumeric is good for inflammation, as many of you know. I have it in a supplement but would also like to make a tea with the powder.
There are other herbs I would like to make tea with that come in the sealed spice bags but I am hesitating.
Any thoughts?
Barbara
All I can say is to try it and see. Some people with Bronchiectasis or other lung issues are very sensitive to smells, others not so much.
What is a VOC (volatile organic compound)? Any chemical, natura or synthetic, that vaporizes easily into the air. That includes industrial compounds, natural substances (like the esters and oils in herbs, scents from flowers, cooking aromas.)
Are all VOC's bad for us? Not necessarily! My concern with vaporizers with essential oils, scented waxes, or scented candles are the OTHER things that are vaporizing and lingering in the air, not the scents themselves - impurities in the wax, possible conversion of the VOC in the carrier oils due to high temperature...the paper referenced by @scoop above seems to reinforce that idea, as heat is generally applied in gas chromatography to separate the compounds for measurement.
What do I do? I continue to use high-quality essential oils from a known source that are tested for purity - at room temperature or body temperature. If I make mixtures, I use fresh food-grade oil as the carrier and make small batches so nothing gets rancid. I clean my containers thoroughly and sanitize in the dishwasher.
I would think that using fresh herbs in a pot that reaches at least 180F would be safe as well, but as an added protection I would use boiled water or spring water.
Each of us has our own comfort level - mine may be more or less conservative than yours.
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2 ReactionsBarbara - It all comes down to know and trust your source. I buy spices only from established sellers. When it come to turmeric, mine comes from our local food co-op who diligently vet their distributors. I could go right down the block and buy from the Asian market a lot cheaper, but I don't know where their stuff comes from nor whether it is pure turmeric.
That said, in my humble opinion, turmeric tea made from powder is yukky and unpleasant to drink. The Japanese make theirs with dried turmeric root (much like you make ginger tea from ginger root) that might be better. Or you can buy turmeric tea already in tea bags from a number of providers of herbal teas.
So, d you trust the source? Try it! If not mybe try the root or a commercial tea?