SmartVest Blog

The human body produces mucus every day [1], and more often than not, it works quietly behind the scenes, so it remains unnoticed and we can go about our day.  However, whenever there is a change in temperature or humidity levels, you may start to feel irritation develop in the back of your throat and […]

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 […]

Do you enjoy starting each morning with a hot cup of coffee? Or maybe you l like ending a long day with a bite of dark chocolate. If caffeine is a normal part of your routine, then you are one of the 80% of Americans who consume caffeine on a daily basis [1]!  In moderation, […]

Receiving a medical diagnosis can often feel like a double-edged sword. On the one side, you’re relieved to finally put a name to the type of symptoms you’ve been experiencing and can start the next step of finding the right treatment to manage your condition. On the other side, it’s now confirmed and can leave […]

For some, the start of a New Year is sometimes met with a mix of emotions. Though you’re eager to see what new adventures lie ahead, you’re also thinking about how these new changes will impact your quality of life.  If you’re living with bronchiectasis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), for example, you may […]

In a previous blog, we discussed the different types of bronchiectasis: cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (CFB) and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). Both conditions affect the lungs, making it difficult to breathe, clear mucus, and prevent the onset of respiratory infection.  When you consider each condition independently, it becomes easier to understand how they vary. CFB, for […]

We’ve written many articles on the similarities and differences between COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis). But another common and well-known chronic lung condition is asthma.  Asthma affects the airways in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It’s reported that 1 in 13 Americans are living with this condition, which can develop […]

Staying healthy has been at the top of everyone’s mind this past year. And many of us already know that the path to healthy living, especially as we age, is keeping active in our daily routine.   As we get older, our bodies depend on us to engage in physical exercise to help build muscle mass […]

For many of us, 2020 has been a challenging year. But as with any obstacle, people all over the country continue to persevere and work together to help those who may be at greater risk of complications due to the recent pandemic.  As we gear up for the New Year ahead, we wanted to share […]

Living with bronchiectasis can cause a loved one to produce a chronic cough, experience shortness of breath, and develop frequent respiratory infections that could damage the lungs. Another common symptom of bronchiectasis is chronic inflammation, which can make breathing more difficult and further impair lung function. Understanding the Chronic Cycle of Inflammation Because bronchiectasis disrupts […]