Different Ways To Treat Bronchiectasis
Get Regular Exercise
If patients get regular exercise, they can reduce the number of exacerbations they have because they are exercising their body and lungs. If their lungs are stronger and able to function properly, they will have fewer symptoms associated with the bronchiectasis. Studies have shown regular exercise can help in the short-term and the future as well. It helps the body expel and thin the mucus so it is not sitting in the lungs. If the mucus is being forced out of the body, it is easier to breathe, and if it is easier to breathe, it is easier to walk further and have a more active life. An active lifestyle can benefit patients both physically and mentally.
Knowing they can walk down the street with a friend without having to stop to catch their breath will make them want to do it. It can be embarrassing, even if the disease is no fault of theirs, to have to stop to catch their breath or not be able to do things because they know they will not be able to breathe if they do it. Exercise cannot cure bronchiectasis, but it is vital is helping manage it and its symptoms. These things can help keep the lungs in better shape, so the instances of exacerbations are reduced. Lowering the number of exacerbations can help prevent increased loss of lung function for an individual suffering from bronchiectasis. It might take time to implement some of these strategies, but it will benefit patients and help manage bronchiectasis better.
Take Expectorants Or Other Mucus-Thinning Medications
Patients with bronchiectasis typically need to take expectorants or other mucus-thinning medications. These medicines loosen mucus in the lungs and make it easier to remove from the body through coughing. Some patients may obtain more effective relief by taking these drugs together with decongestants. The majority of mucus-thinning medications for bronchiectasis, including acetylcysteine and dornase alfa, are given via a nebulizer or inhaler. To administer acetylcysteine with a nebulizer, a ten or twenty percent solution of the drug is mixed with hypertonic saline solution, and this mixture is turned into a mist. The patient wears a special mask over their nose and mouth that delivers the mist deep into their lungs. Nebulizers of acetylcysteine can be repeated every six to eight hours as needed for symptom management.
Patients taking acetylcysteine should be aware of potential side effects such as fevers, coughing up blood, runny nose, drowsiness, and shortness of breath. Dornase alfa is typically given with an inhaler, and the patient can self-administer this at home once or twice a day. Individuals using this medication should remain vigilant for side effects, including voice changes, eye irritation, rash, sore throat, and hoarseness. If these side effects persist or become severe, the patient should inform their physician.
