SmartVest Blog

Bronchiectasis Resources

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Mar 22, 2020
What You Should Know About COPD, Bronchiectasis, and COVID-19

At Electromed, our mission is to be an advocate and resource for individuals living with a chronic lung disease like bronchiectasis and COPD. As we continue to learn more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), our goal is to share that knowledge to help you stay informed and feel empowered to take precautionary steps. How COVID-19 Affects […]

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Causes and symptoms of bronchiectasis
Feb 27, 2020
The Causes and Symptoms of Bronchiectasis

Understanding the common causes of bronchiectasis and identifying its individual symptoms will empower you to find the best treatment plan for reducing respiratory infections, improving air flow, and preventing further damage to your airways.  To help you get familiar with this chronic lung condition and how it can affect your everyday life, here’s the answers […]

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Nov 14, 2019
How is Bronchiectasis Diagnosed?

Are your patients coming to you with complaints of shortness of breath, chronic cough, or chest pain? Symptoms that look like COPD or asthma may actually be early signs of bronchiectasis, a serious lung disease that irreversibly damages a patient’s airways through recurring inflammation and infection.  To properly diagnose your patients with bronchiectasis, you’ll first […]

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A woman is greeted by her husband while she is on a swing
Sep 20, 2019
How Serious is Bronchiectasis for Someone Living with COPD?

Bronchiectasis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are two individual chronic lung conditions that share similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, general fatigue, and recurring lung infections. If you’re living with COPD or asthma, you may develop bronchiectasis later in life, resulting in an overlap of symptoms, also known as bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome […]

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A couple embraces eachother on a scenic bench
Sep 03, 2019
Finding Support for Your Bronchiectasis Symptoms

Though more research is being conducted on how to effectively manage bronchiectasis, an irreversible chronic lung condition that causes recurrent respiratory infections, it remains a lesser known pulmonary disease when compared to COPD or cystic fibrosis.  If you’re living with bronchiectasis or your loved one needs more information about its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, […]

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A couple sits on a rocky shoreline
Aug 06, 2019
Are There Different Types of COPD?

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) affects more than 11 million people in the United States.1 Though many have heard of this umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases, you may be unfamiliar with the different types of COPD that can cause you or a loved one to experience chronic symptoms or recurring flare ups.  […]

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Jul 09, 2019
Study Finds SmartVest Improves Outcomes for Bronchiectasis

SmartVest is the only respiratory vest on the market with published studies demonstrating improved outcomes in treating bronchiectasis.  BMC Pulmonary Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal, recently published a first-of-its-kind, independent study, analyzing the effectiveness of high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy (HFCWO) via the SmartVest Airway Clearance System in treating patients living with bronchiectasis. Read […]

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A person holds their chest as they cough into their fist
May 03, 2019
3 Signs of Bronchiectasis for Those Living with COPD

According to a 2018 article in Bronchiectasis News Today, approximately half of newly diagnosed bronchiectasis patients also have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).1 This statistic is likely to grow if bronchiectasis—an underdeveloped area of study—continues to go under-diagnosed in its early stages. Referred to as bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome (BCOS),2 this type of comorbidity will affect […]

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A stethoscope rests on a table near a laptop
Mar 28, 2019
Managing Your Chronic Lung Condition with Bronchiectasis Treatment

Because every patient with bronchiectasis is different, the symptoms experienced from a chronic lung condition can vary widely. For clinicians, this presents the challenge of choosing a bronchiectasis treatment that is most effective in allowing patients to live a healthier, fuller life—without the physical and financial stress of ongoing hospitalization and emergency room visits. Though […]

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A woman works on her laptop while on a couch
Jan 08, 2019
Why COPD Patients Should Know More About Bronchiectasis

In a previous blog post, we highlighted the basic differences between bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is important to know in order to find the best treatment option to manage symptoms. Bronchiectasis, an irreversible lung disease, develops from repeated inflammation and/or infection, and prevents your lungs from properly functioning. COPD, an umbrella […]

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