Humidity

[Granny47]

Not long been diagnosed with bronchectasis have noticed the higher the humidity the more I cough, does anyone have any tips to help or do I have to just put up with it.

Yvonne

[DozyDormouse]

I drink plenty of water and add a couple of slices of lemon and a touch of honey to sooth the throat. I work on the principle that if I keep sipping I can't cough at the same time. Take care D

[bayleyray-uk]

Hi Granny47,

I have Bronchiectasis, COPD and Asthma and at the moment it is the Bronchiectasis that causes the coughing, which both my consultant and respatory physiotherapist is a good thing as it helps to shift the mucus that lays in your lung and that just loves to collect bacteria from anything that it can - in my case the rest of the world as far as I can see.

Have you had any guidance on breathing techniques used to move the stuff from your lungs. I know it's not very nice when you are out or in new company, when you start coughing and people stop what they are doing and stare. I just say (when I get my breath back) I'm not contagious in a loud voice, which to tell the truth usually embarrasses them no end and they look away. The only time a give a fuller explanation is if I'm around babies or children.

As DozyDoormouse suggests drink lots of liquid to help loosen the gunk, 'this is the grotty bit' if you do cough up mucus don't swallow it spit it into a tissue as it could be infected. If you start find that your chest starts to feel tight or heavy, your breathing starts to get laboured and you are not coughing as much, make an appointment to see your doctor as you may be coming down with an infection.

I'm sure there will be plenty of advice from fellow Bronchi's we don't all have the same symptoms, it may take a little time for you to work out what's best for you.

Stay well

Sue

[Granny47 in reply to bayleyray-uk]

Thank you Dozydoormouse and Sue,

I have seen a physiotherapist who showed me how to do postural drainage I then developed reflux so now use an acapella, I am able to clear my mucus ok but I also have a dry cough, at one time I had three different coughs a productive cough a dry cough and a tickley cough, the tickley cough has gone and the dry cough was much better until the last few days, it always seems worse in the evening and a nightmare if I talk on the phone too long.

Perhaps my problem is not drinking enough although I do drink quite a lot during the day. Thanks again.

Yvonne

[Granny47 in reply to bayleyray-uk]

Thank you Dozydoormouse and Sue,

I have seen a physiotherapist who showed me how to do postural drainage I then developed reflux so now use an acapella, I am able to clear my mucus ok but I also have a dry cough, at one time I had three different coughs a productive cough a dry cough and a tickley cough, the tickley cough has gone and the dry cough was much better until the last few days, it always seems worse in the evening and a nightmare if I talk on the phone too long.

Perhaps my problem is not drinking enough although I do drink quite a lot during the day. Thanks again.

Yvonne

[mustcarryon]

Hi I'm a bronchi. The advice you have been given is spot on. I have different coughs, sometimes I wonder if it's anything to do with pollen. The only thing I can add is during the heat and humidity always wear a hat with a brim, it helps keep the intense heat and also any pollen at bay.

[Granny47 in reply to mustcarryon]

Thank you mustcarryon, never thought that wearing a hat would help, I will give it a try.

[loobyloo222]

Hi Granny- I've noticed my cough is a lot worse since the warm weather came (I am sensitive to any change in the weather). I've had bronchiectasis a long time, and the one thing that has really made a difference to me is something called a flutter. It is a breathing device made from white plastic that really does get the crud up. I use mine in the morning after some quick breathing exercises, and then use my inhalers whilst my lungs are still clear. It isn't pleasant, seeing all that stuff come up but I have had to develop a close relationship with my secretions, and can't do without it now! Ask for a referral to a chest physio, or just ask your GP for a prescription. they are about £40-£50 to buy yourself.

[Granny47 in reply to loobyloo222]

Hi Loobyloo 222, I do have an acapella device which I think is similar to the flutter but I take my inhalers before I use it, as it is about mid morning before I am able to start to clear my mucus doing household chores seems to get it moving. My main problem is this dry cough that I have, I coughed a lot during last winter I put it down to the damp weather, by March I was still coughing really badly to the point that I felt I was choking, my husband insisted that I should see the doctor as he said there must be something that they could do. To be honest I don't think I was given much help when I was first diagnosed I have had to go on the internet to find out and this site has been marvellous I didn't join until May but have already found out so much.

Anyway I am now on doxycycline 1 a day and felt much better until the last week so think it must be the weather.

Thanks for your reply.

[helingmic]

Hello Granny,

Like Dozy, I keep a bottle of natural water by the bed ( I like Caledonian because it doesn't scratch my throat and is somewhat carbonated naturally, but choose one that suits you) during the night, I have coughed, I have even felt a bit blocked, had to add a pillow for comfort. I'm cautious on honey, because it gives me acidity sometimes, especially if I only eat honey and nothing else.

I think the nights are uncomfortable at the moment. Hope you feel OK with the drinks.

[Granny47 in reply to helingmic]

Thank you helingmic, feeling a little better trying to hold cough back as think once I start won't be able to stop for ages. Just had an ice cream so hope that will help for a bit. Thanks again.

[helingmic in reply to Granny47]

Granny,

I like ice cream. Although it's cool, I hope the sugar in it doesn't make you cough. Enjoy!

[Daffodil51]

Hi granny.ni gave bronchiectasis and have also been coughing rather a lot. I take 4 blasts of salbutamol when it's bad and drink about 2 litres of water a day. Hope this helps