SmartVest Blog

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 […]

Chronic cough, shortness of breath, mucus buildup, and recurring respiratory infection are all common bronchiectasis symptoms. Although there is currently no cure for this chronic lung condition, there are ways to help manage your individual symptoms so you can breathe easier. In this guide, you’ll find answers to common questions about bronchiectasis to help you […]

Do you often experience coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain? These symptoms could indicate a chronic respiratory condition, such as bronchiectasis or chronic bronchitis. While these two conditions share some similarities, their differences can impact your treatment for symptom management. In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between bronchiectasis and bronchitis, helping […]

If you or someone you love is living with bronchiectasis, you may be aware that the causes and symptoms of this chronic condition differ among individuals. While there are commonalities, such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and respiratory infections, bronchiectasis affects patients differently. The reason? Bronchiectasis develops from other lung diseases that are either […]