SmartVest Blog

New to airway clearance? Living with a chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis), makes breathing feel constricted. Though your clinician may prescribe different types of treatment to help you manage your symptoms—such as antibiotics or mucus-thinning medications [1]—airway clearance works to help treat the underlying cause of your chronic symptoms (i.e., mucus buildup).  When mucus […]

Living with bronchiectasis can sometimes feel like you’re putting your life on pause. Too often, chronic symptoms can interfere with our quality of life—not to mention the time we want to spend with friends, family, and pursuing our passions. The good news is, bronchiectasis doesn’t have to hold you back from experiencing life’s precious moments […]

Though many of us would prefer to avoid coughing, this natural reflex actually helps protect our lungs and airways against certain irritants, such as dust, germs, and mucus buildup [1]. Think of the last time you drank a glass of water too fast, and started coughing. Though many of us blame the water for “going […]

Consuming foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and key nutrients, such as protein and fiber, allow our bodies to perform the essential tasks we depend on each day. One such task is breathing.  But did you know that certain foods can actually make breathing more difficult [1]? Oxygen and Food Oxygen plays an important […]

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 […]

Winter is approaching…actually for many living in the Midwest, it’s already here! Though some of us look forward to the cozy nights in, with hot cocoa in hand in front of a warm fireplace, if you’re living with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis or COPD, your joy of the season may be mixed with […]

All over the country, thousands of individuals continue to benefit from using the SmartVest Airway Clearance System.  SmartVest is a high frequency chest oscillation (HFCWO) therapy device that works to provide symptom relief for patients living with a chronic lung condition. When used daily, and as part of your bronchiectasis or COPD treatment plan, SmartVest […]

Starting a new treatment plan for a lung condition is sometimes met with hesitation. This is especially true if it’s your first time using vest therapy to manage symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis, or both. From setting up and learning how to use your new device to performing each therapy session and […]

Providing patients with lifetime support for a chronic lung condition is just one of the many responsibilities we take close to heart. In fact, even before you begin your SmartVest journey, you’ll receive product support and education. We do this to ensure that both you and your healthcare team feel confident adding The SmartVest Airway […]

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 […]