There are lots of things that you can do to help keep yourself well and manage your symptoms.
1. Keep your chest clear of mucus to reduce inflammation and limit infections
- Clear your chest as advised by your physiotherapist
- Take your medication and inhalers, if on them, as prescribed
- Nasal washes (douching) regularly if you have rhinitis
- Don’t smoke. Ask your Doctor for support if needed or find local stop smoking services at www.nhsinform.scot
2. Ensure you can treat chest infections quickly when needed which will reduce the risk of a serious infection and the need for hospitalisation
- Never allow medicines to run out
- Keep a rescue antibiotic course at home
- Keep a supply of sputum pots in the house
3. Keep Fit and strong making it easier to fight infections
- Drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet
- Take regular exercise
Keeping a healthy weight is also important as being too heavy may make you feel more breathless while being too slight can increase the risk of infections. You can speak to your GP about a referral to a dietician who can help with dietary advice and weight management if you have concerns, or visit gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/health-and-lifestyle/healthy-eating for health eating advice
You can also ask to be referred to pulmonary rehabilitation to improve your stamina if breathlessness is preventing you from taking exercise
4. Reduce the likelihood of catching an infection
- Get your annual Flu vaccine and Covid vaccines when offered.
- You should also ensure you have had a pneumococcal vaccination (you only usually need this once) as well as the RSV vaccine and the Shingles vaccine when eligible. (While shingles isn’t a respiratory infection as such it can cause difficult long lasting pain which may interfere with your breathing and make it harder to do breathing exercises and to clear your chest)
- Avoid visiting anyone who is unwell with a cold, flu or chest infection
- Consider wearing a face mask, if you can, in crowded places
5. Prevent other conditions that may make your bronchiectasis worse
If you suffer from Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Syndrome (GORD), heart burn, acid reflux or have a known hiatus hernia it is important to reduce the risk of tiny food particles going into your lungs from your gut, you can do this by
- Eating your evening meal at least 4 hours before going to bed to allow time for the food to digest
- Avoiding milky, heavy drinks prior to bed
- Raising the head of your bed, either with a wedge shaped pillow or with blocks under the bed
Further information about managing these symptoms can be found at gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/symptoms/heartburn-and-reflux and advice on keeping your gut healthy at gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/health-and-lifestyle/prebiotics-probiotics
