Newly Diagnosed with Bronchiectasis

What Are the First Steps After Being Diagnosed with Bronchiectasis?

• It is helpful to learn about bronchiectasis, what your treatment options are and how it is managed.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your diagnosis to better understand how it will impact your life and what steps you can take to ensure you have the best quality of life.
• Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung condition that requires ongoing management. Starting the right treatment can help you manage symptoms, reduce flare-ups and improve your quality of life.

How to Live Well with Bronchiectasis

Staying healthy when you are living with a chronic lung disease is important to prevent your condition from getting worse. Talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you understand your treatment plan  and how often you should have follow-up visits with your provider. Ask your provider to explain how any medications you are prescribed work and what side effects to expect.  If your provider is recommending airway clearance techniques, also called mucus clearing, make sure you understand how and when to do them as part of your daily routine.

 You can take steps to help protect your lung health and manage your bronchiectasis:

• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.
• Avoid exposure to unhealthy air, both indoors and outdoors.
• Choose healthy foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Talk to your healthcare provider about how much fluid is right for you.
• Help prevent respiratory infections through hand washing, staying away from others who are sick and staying up-to-date on recommended vaccinations.
• Stay active.  Talk to your healthcare provider about what activity is right for you.

Where to Find Bronchiectasis Support

No person facing chronic lung disease should go through it alone. There are online and in-person support groups available. Finding a group early in your journey will provide you with more opportunities to get information about your disease, empower you to better manage your disease and give you the support you need.

• Living with Lung Disease Community (online support community)
• Better Breathers Clubs (in-person or virtual support groups)
• Patient & Caregivers Network