diet for bronchiectasis sufferers

[SalvadorBA]

hello, I'm new to this forum. Can anyone point me please to a comprehensive and respected list of what food is best and worst to eat during a bronchiectasis flare-up please? This is my first one since my diagnosis 2 years ago. Thanks in advance.

[teddyd]

Personally I eat what I feel like during a flare up. Usually its more snacking and light meals. I usually stay away from dairy and chocolate . I drink lots of fluid, but I am sure others will have their own routines and suggestion.I hope you feel better soon. X

[SalvadorBA in reply to teddyd]

Thank-you teddyd. I've read that I should avoid dairy but also that yoghurt is good for the condition! I guess it's a question of different people reacting differently to the same foods, and I'll just have to work out what's best for me. I've had zero support from the NHS here since the diagnosis, but fortunately there are some websites giving advice. All the best.

[Hidden]

Hi Salvador. I have had bronch since I was 3. Now 72. Quite frankly I eat what I fancy and can get down. I know that people say to avoid dairy but for me it makes no difference to the mucus which is better dealt with by antibiotics and scrupulous emptying. But we are all different. Just eat to keep your strength up.

[SalvadorBA in reply to Hidden]

PS. Littleprom, may I ask please what you mean by "scrupulous emptying", as this is all 'new' to me?!

[peege in reply to SalvadorBA]

Scrupulously emptying of the lungs from excessive mucus. A lot of people with bronchiectasis have to use physio techniques to rid the lungs of mucus twice or more daily. Its important to expel it so it doesn't stay in the lovely warm/ wet environment growing bacteria which can cause infections &/or pneumonia. Write bronchiectasis in the search bar above and you'll find loads of posts about it with replies.

[Hidden in reply to peege]

Thanks peege. I don't need to expand on that.

[SalvadorBA]

Dear Littleprom, It was very kind of you to reply, thank-you! I have been reading your posts to other people on this forum and already learned much more from you than I knew before! Tomorrow I'll ask my doctor for an emergency supply of antibiotics and I've already bought the Coldgzyme and Nasalguard you suggested to someone else. Thanks for already being so helpful and reassuring. Warm wishes.

[fcag2001]

I was told to avoid foods high in salicylate ,which is akin to aspirin as I am also allergic to that. Citrus fruits etc . Hospital bane mist but more info on Google.

[Alberta56]

Hope you're soon better. The general feeling seems to be that a little of what you fancy does you good. Obviously try to get as much healthy stuff down you as possible, perhaps augmented by vitamins, But don't worry too much about it until you're feeling better. xxx

[SalvadorBA in reply to Alberta56]

Thank-you Alberta56 for writing and for the kind wishes!

[Thepainterswife]

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum Salvador , you will find so much information on here whenever you need it , most of us have had as much help and advice from the forum as we have had from the professionals ! I don’t have any knowledge of your particular condition but there will be plenty who do and this is a great place to keep your spirits up 😊

[SalvadorBA in reply to Thepainterswife]

Thanks for the warm welcome Thepainterswife! To be honest, since discovering this site yesterday I've learned lots more than I knew before, and that is not only because my doctor seems to know absolutely nothing about my condition. As important as the much appreciated advice are the friendly replies I've already received, for which I'm very grateful - they're already helping to "keep my spirits up", just as you mentioned 😊

[RJef]

Hello SalvadorBAThe other replies seem very sensible to me. I've had bronchiectasis for four years . I've never found specific diets have much effect, and haven't found one that reduces mucus. I'm very thin and anything that stops me losing weight is beneficial. I tend to lose weight when unwell at a slow but steady rate and, once well, my first priority is to try to put it back on. My GP was quite forthright and said being underweight was a bigger threat to my health than most things so ignore other advice and get eating.

I'm responding mainly because you don't say what medication you are on. the thing that has made a big difference for me has been to go on regular azithromycin, with other antibiotics when I have a flare up. I was more or less resigned to feeling constantly unwell and lethargic and have been surprised at the improvement.

[SalvadorBA in reply to RJef]

Thanks RJef for taking the time to write. I'm learning very quickly after finding this forum yesterday. I've had no input whatsoever from my doctor regarding my condition. After I got pneumonia 2 years ago and lost 15kgs, a CT scan report mentioned "possible mild bronchiectasis", but my doctor never discussed this with me and I was never sent any information at all on this subject. I have been relatively well since, so it is only this last 2 weeks, after what seems to be called a 'flare-up', that I've started studying the condition in detail. I too am underweight but not as severely as it sounded you might be. The reason I asked about diet is that I have had persistent heartburn this last week, but strangely no cough or obvious mucous, so I'm worried that eating the wrong food may make the heartburn worse. I've found some information online about diets for people with acid reflux, though fortunately I don't have that so I'm not sure if it applies to me. I will investigate the azithromycin you mentioned, and I'm glad it has helped you - currently I'm not on any at all. Unfortunately I get the strong impression that my doctor knows nothing about bronchiectasis, which makes me wonder if it's worth my asking her any questions at all. I'm feeling quite demoralised, but grateful to have found this site and also a paper by the European Lung Foundation, that another contributor to this forum has posted. My next priority after knowing what I should eat (!) is asking my doctor for the specialist physio help which I've read about here. Warm wishes.

[Alberta56 in reply to SalvadorBA]

I think you need to ask your doctor to refer you to a consultant who specialises in bronchiectasis. Your doctor might be glad to get some informed advice on how to manage your condition. Contrariwise you might have to make a fuss. and be persistent.

[Patk1]

Hello+welcome to the forum.asthma+ lung uk have a helpline no u can ring for advice,and info on many lung diseases.do read up on " lung clearance techniques"+also " controlled breathing/pursed lips breathing".

[SalvadorBA in reply to Patk1]

I will do that now, many thanks Patk1. You read my mind!

[Patk1 in reply to SalvadorBA]

Also,acid reflux etc can woraen bronchiectasis.worth asking for something on prescription.im on omeprazole.wishing u all the best x

[peege]

Re heartburn, acid reflux, GERD one woukd usually cut out acid foods. I dont touch vinegars (except live apple cider vinegar weirdly), citrus fruits, excessive tomatoes, some people avoid spicy foods or fats. When mine gets bad I'll take omeprazole (bought over the counter chemists or supermarkets) just for a week which calms my tum down for 3 weeks or so.

You're right, GPs don't seem to know much about bronch, they know a bit about asthma or copd - consultants are similar, it would be good if could could get yourself referred to a consultant who specialises in bronchiectasis as well as other lung diseases. Good luck

[Morrison10]

Hi, I have bronchiectasis, was diagnosed when 32, now 87. I agree with all suggestions that ask see respiratory consultant. Good luck

[SalvadorBA in reply to Morrison10]

Thanks Morrison10 and Peege for your good wishes and for taking the time to reply - apologies for mine being slow but I'm working full time. My GP has now promised to refer me to a specialist so I'm crossing my fingers I'll be able to see one soon. Thanks Peege too for the tips on diet. I've just bought a book on reducing acid intake and am having to redesign my shopping list - yesterday I bought my first decaffinated tea and coffee, which I hope I can get used to quickly!