bronchectisis

Hello'

I am a 77 year old male...have not smoked in almost 50 years...I developed some 4 years ago bronchectisis.
I have gone the route of antibiotics, advair, inhalants, etc...I find that daily pecussion seems to be the most helpful in getting the flem (phlegm) out of the lungs...My question is...are there any other  treatments other than listed that could have a better result for the chronic coughing??...Are steroids effective and what are the side effects.please?
Are there any home remedies as far as air treatment, beathing masks etc..?

Any help would be appreciated.

[lmrb]

I have bronchiectasis as well. I am 51 and they tell me my case is mild. They did follow up tests to see if I had an immune deficiency, and it turns out that I do. Do you have a history of bronchitis or sinus infections? Have you been tested for immune problems?

[Sunny602]

I to have bronchiectasis (due to atypical CF) and am also doing daily chest physio using the VEST. I am on mucolytics as well to break up the mucous...specifically pulmozyme which actually breaks down the DNA of mucous and thins it out. Another one that is commonly used is Mucomyst. I use other nebulizers to help open up my airways such as Xopenex. The coughing might be irritation, I know that I get into some pretty awful coughing fits at times. My airways begin to constrict and I just cough more so the nebulizers work, maybe they will help you. There are steroid inhalers that help with chronic inflammation of the lungs, I am on Flovent right now and have found that it helps my airways as well. What has your doctor said about your coughing and what has he or she done so far about it? I hope you get relief soon...Sunny

[yllas]

I too have Bronchiectasis...the lung specialist told me it is from having pneumonia or whooping cough before the age of 15..the lungs aren't developed completely and it leaves scar tissue.  I won't take medication...it's not going to make it any better.  What I have been doing is trying to alkalize my body...we are too acid...it causes all kinds of havoc on our bodies.  I eat raw...fruits and vegetable...nuts and seeds.  I make green smoothies.  something that is suppose to be good for us is Honey and cinnamon.  Detoxify your body

[ammo440]

I too have bronchiectasis, probably from pneumonia as a child. I am  31 and prescribed seratide inhalors which I do not take as they are so expensive. Also, I currently have no difficulties with my breathing and have no cough. I haven't even had a chest infection in years. The only symptom I have had is hemoptysis every 2-3 years, for the past 12 yrs. The bleeding has been significant however and resulted in me going into hospital just to get checked out on each occassion. I'm very intrested in any information on alternative therapy as well as curious if anyone knows if this will get progressively worse if I dont use inhalors now. I dont want to cause further damage :(

[hava]

The natural way to improve your lung function is by the following breathing techniques - pranayam.The extra oxygen will gradually start to heal the lungs and you will start to feel the difference in three weeks.Continue this pranayam once a day after you are better, to stay healthy.It would be nice to see your progress after 4 weeks and 3 months.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.