Living Well With NTM Living Well With NTM | Page 12

LIVING WELL WITH NTM
Managing NTM Lung Disease
Treatment takes a long time. There are many changing variables that
affect how you feel. Living with NTM can be hard. You may have chronic
coughing, feel tired, or have other side effects from treatment. Many
patients also feel isolated, anxious, or depressed. A complete cure can
be expected with some NTM species and not with others. Re-infection is
common so you may need to make some lifestyle changes.
What can you do to help manage your NTM?
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• Focus on other lung conditions you may have. Many patients with NTM have
another lung disease, such as bronchiectasis, COPD or prior tuberculosis. Treatment
of these diseases may help improve some of the symptoms of NTM disease, such as
cough and shortness of breath.
• Prevent fatigue. Feeling tired is a common symptom. It is important to maintain
your weight through proper nutrition. Use nutritional supplements if necessary.
Exercise is also important. It may improve your fatigue level.
• Keep your airways clear. Your doctor or respiratory therapist can teach you ways
to reduce mucus in your lungs and keep your airways clear. This is very important for
people with bronchiectasis.
• Prevent infections. Get a flu shot each year. Get pneumonia shots when
recommended. Wash your hands often to avoid germs that can lead to other lung
infections.
• Improve air and water quality at home. Keep bathrooms, showers, and steam
rooms ventilated. Clean your showerheads regularly. Don’t use humidifiers.
• Avoid contact with soil. Wear a dust mask to prevent breathing in dirt when
gardening and avoid soil.