SmartVest Blog

What is Bronchiectasis? Bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis) is a chronic lung condition that affects the airways (or bronchi) of one or both lungs, causing them to become abnormally widened, scarred, and inflamed. Injured airways have difficulty removing mucus, which is critical to clearing germs, dust, and other particles around us. This leads to a buildup of mucus […]

Bronchiectasis, a chronic respiratory condition, can be debilitating for those suffering from it. While there is no cure, supportive therapy can be an effective way to help manage symptoms and improve patients’ outcomes and quality of life. In this article, we ‘ll discuss 5 components of a successful bronchiectasis supportive therapy program. We’ll also explore […]

Alcohol and Bronchiectasis: Is There a Risk? Whether it’s a glass of wine, a pint of beer, or a tumbler of your favorite whiskey, drinking alcohol is often a staple at social gatherings and something most people enjoy doing to help relax. Many of us are aware of the health concerns surrounding excessive alcohol use, […]

Bronchiectasis and asthma are two distinct respiratory conditions, but recent studies have shown a higher prevalence of bronchiectasis symptoms in patients with severe asthma.1 Known as asthma-bronchiectasis overlap syndrome (ABOS), ABOS is becoming increasingly recognized by healthcare professionals as a complex condition that can be challenging to diagnose. As a result, patients may not receive […]

Coughing may seem like a nuisance, but it’s the body’s way of protecting us from airborne irritants that enter the lungs.¹ When your lungs lose their ability to mobilize and clear mucus, it leaves the body open to possible infection and damage to your airways. If you’re living with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis, […]

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is an airway clearance technique that typically involves the assistance of another individual (e.g., caregiver, trained family member, or respiratory therapist) to manually perform chest percussion on a patient’s chest wall. Chest percussion is defined as manually clapping on a person’s chest wall in an effort to break up mucus and prevent […]

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition often overshadowed by more well-known respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, if not correctly diagnosed and treated, bronchiectasis can result in a cascade of serious complications that can significantly affect your patient’s quality of life. What’s at Risk? When the bronchial tubes in the […]

Learn more about the differences between bronchiectasis and COPD. For many people living with impaired breathing, bronchiectasis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may seem like similar terms. These diseases do have significant differences that help determine which treatment will be most effective.

High-resolution computerized technology (HRCT) allows clinicians to get an accurate bronchiectasis diagnosis among patients experiencing common symptoms of this condition. Bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis) is an irreversible chronic lung condition caused by abnormal widening of the lung’s airways. Although no cure for bronchiectasis exists, patients can manage their symptoms and avoid triggering flare-ups that may require hospitalizations. […]

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (or NTM) are organisms that naturally occur in water, soil, and dust.¹ When you inhale these NTM organisms, the bacteria travel to your lungs, which may cause a respiratory infection to develop. Though NTM lung disease can affect anyone, you may be at higher risk if you have a pre-existing lung condition, such […]