{"id":774,"date":"2025-10-28T16:14:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/?page_id=774"},"modified":"2025-11-24T09:19:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T09:19:30","slug":"day-to-day-advice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/treatment\/day-to-day-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Day to Day Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are lots of things that you can do to help keep yourself well and manage your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Keep your chest clear of mucus to reduce inflammation and limit infections<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clear your chest as advised by your physiotherapist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take your medication and inhalers, if on them, as prescribed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nasal washes (douching) regularly if you have rhinitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t smoke. Ask your Doctor for support if needed or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/stopping-smoking\/help-to-stop\/local-help-to-stop-smoking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">find local stop smoking services at www.nhsinform.scot<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-42084020\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Ensure you can treat chest infections quickly when needed which will reduce the risk of a serious infection and the need for hospitalisation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Never allow medicines to run out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep a rescue antibiotic course at home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep a supply of sputum pots in the house<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Keep Fit and strong making it easier to fight infections<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drink plenty of fluids, <a href=\"https:\/\/gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/healthy-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eat a healthy diet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take regular exercise<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/healthy-eating\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/diet-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/healthy-eating for health eating advice<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><style>.kb-gallery-id-774_55372f-5d .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius, .kb-gallery-id-774_55372f-5d .kb-slide-item .kb-gal-image-radius img{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;;}.kb-gallery-wrap-id-774_55372f-5d.wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{overflow:visible;}.kb-gallery-wrap-id-774_55372f-5d.wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery .kt-blocks-carousel{overflow:visible;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-774_55372f-5d alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-774_55372f-5d kb-gallery-caption-style-bottom-hover kb-gallery-filter-none\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"true\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel splide kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark kb-slider-group-arrow kb-slider-arrow-position-center\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"1000\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"false\" data-slider-dots=\"true\" data-slider-type=\"slider\" data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"1\" data-slider-speed=\"5000\" data-show-pause-button=\"false\"><div class=\"splide__track\"><ul class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider splide__list\"><li class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item splide__slide\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-port34 kb-has-image-ratio-port34\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20667'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\"  data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Water-1.jpg\" width=\"304\" height=\"327\" alt=\"Water 1\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Water-1.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Water-1.jpg\" data-splide-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Water-1.jpg 304w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Water-1-279x300.jpg 279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px\"data-id=\"773\" class=\"wp-image-773 skip-lazy\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item splide__slide\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-port34 kb-has-image-ratio-port34\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20667'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\"  data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Fruit-and-Veg.jpg\" width=\"514\" height=\"343\" alt=\"Fruit and Veg\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Fruit-and-Veg.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Fruit-and-Veg.jpg\" data-splide-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Fruit-and-Veg.jpg 514w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Fruit-and-Veg-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 514px) 100vw, 514px\"data-id=\"771\" class=\"wp-image-771 skip-lazy\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item splide__slide\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-port34 kb-has-image-ratio-port34\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20667'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\"  data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/1755.jpg\" width=\"451\" height=\"301\" alt=\"NHS Scotland Photo Library\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/1755.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/1755.jpg\" data-splide-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/1755.jpg 451w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/1755-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\"data-id=\"769\" class=\"wp-image-769 skip-lazy\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item splide__slide\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-port34 kb-has-image-ratio-port34\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20667'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\"  data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Running-girl-1.jpg\" width=\"207\" height=\"330\" alt=\"Running girl 1\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Running-girl-1.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Running-girl-1.jpg\" data-splide-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Running-girl-1.jpg 207w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/Running-girl-1-188x300.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\"data-id=\"772\" class=\"wp-image-772 skip-lazy\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item splide__slide\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-port34 kb-has-image-ratio-port34\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20667'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\"  data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/badminton.jpg\" width=\"223\" height=\"290\" alt=\"badminton\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/badminton.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2025\/02\/badminton.jpg\" data-id=\"770\" class=\"wp-image-770 skip-lazy\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You can also ask to be referred to <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/ecps\/pulmonary-rehabilitation-service\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/ecps\/pulmonary-rehabilitation-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pulmonary rehabilitation<\/a> to improve your stamina if breathlessness is preventing you from taking exercise<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Reduce the likelihood of catching an infection<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Get your annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/immunisation\/flu-vaccine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flu vaccine<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/covid19vaccine\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/covid19vaccine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Covid vaccines<\/a> when offered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You should also ensure you have had a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/immunisation\/pneumococcal-vaccine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pneumococcal vaccination<\/a> (you only usually need this once) as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/immunisation\/rsv-vaccine-for-adults\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RSV vaccine<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/immunisation\/shingles-vaccine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shingles vaccine<\/a> when eligible. (While shingles isn&#8217;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)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid visiting anyone who is unwell with a cold, flu or chest infection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider wearing a face mask, if you can, in crowded places<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Prevent other conditions that may make your bronchiectasis worse<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eating your evening meal at least 4 hours before going to bed to allow time for the food to digest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoiding milky, heavy drinks prior to bed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raising the head of your bed, either with a wedge shaped pillow or with blocks under the bed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Further information about managing these symptoms can be found at <a href=\"https:\/\/gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/symptoms\/heartburn-and-reflux\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/symptoms\/heartburn-and-reflux<\/a> and advice on keeping your gut healthy at <a href=\"https:\/\/gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/prebiotics-probiotics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gutscharity.org.uk\/advice-and-information\/health-and-lifestyle\/prebiotics-probiotics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 2. Ensure you can treat chest infections quickly when needed which will reduce the risk of a serious infection and the need for hospitalisation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":741,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-774","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/blog\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"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 2. Ensure you can treat chest infections quickly when needed which will reduce the risk of a serious infection and the need for hospitalisation","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=774"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1450,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/774\/revisions\/1450"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/bronchiectasis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}