The Simple Tools That Help Me Live Well With Bronchiectasis

Rebecca Side

When you live with a lung condition like bronchiectasis, the daily routine can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Over the years, I’ve learned that staying well doesn’t come down to one “miracle cure” but rather a collection of small, consistent habits — and a few gadgets that now feel as essential to me as my phone charger.

Here are the tools that keep me on track (and out of hospital).

Peak Flow Meter

One of the cheapest gadgets I own, but honestly, it’s like a mood ring for my lungs. Blow into it and it tells me straight away if I’m having a “sunshine and rainbows” kind of day, or if my chest is plotting against me. I’ve noticed dips when the weather is damp or icy — basically, when I’d rather stay in bed anyway. It gives me an early warning so I can adjust before things spiral.

Pulse Oximeter

This little clip goes on your finger and gives you oxygen levels and heart rate in seconds. It’s reassuring when the numbers look steady, and a bit of a nudge when they don’t. I like to think of it as my body’s version of a fitness tracker — only instead of telling me how many steps I’ve done, it’s reminding me to take a breather (literally).

Sinus Rinse

Not glamorous, but life-changing. A simple saltwater rinse keeps my sinuses clear and infections away. Since starting, I’ve had zero sinus infections. Zero! It’s one of those things you don’t brag about at dinner parties, but honestly, it deserves a medal in my routine.

Nebuliser with 7% Saline

Twice a day, I set up my nebuliser. It’s not fast (Netflix has definitely kept me company during sessions), but it thins mucus, makes airway clearance so much easier, and has been key to keeping me infection-free. Yes, cleaning the kit is a faff — but so is nine courses of antibiotics in a year. Easy choice.

Aerobika Device

This one makes me laugh because it looks so simple, yet it’s ridiculously effective. You blow out, it vibrates, and suddenly your lungs are like, “Fine, we’ll let go of the mucus.” I usually use it with my nebuliser (they click together like Lego for grown-ups with lung disease).

Keeping it Clean

Here’s my glamorous secret weapon: a £10 baby bottle steriliser. Not fancy, not medical-grade, just simple and brilliant. Everything goes in, comes out squeaky clean, and I don’t have to stress about lingering germs. It’s the unsung hero of my lung health.

Final Thoughts

None of these tools are magic on their own, but together — and used consistently — they’ve helped me stay infection-free for over five years. The trick isn’t perfection. It’s consistency… and a sense of humour when your kitchen looks more like a mini hospital than a home.

If you want more reliable info, the European Lung Foundation and Asthma + Lung UK are brilliant places to start.

And if you’d like more structure in your own routine, I created the Bronchiectasis Logbook — a practical, down-to-earth way to track symptoms, treatments, and progress. It’s what’s kept me accountable.

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