Living Well With NTM Living Well With NTM | Page 6

LIVING WELL WITH NTM
Risk Factors for NTM Lung Infection
When to See Your
Doctor
NTM has a higher rate among people with certain risk factors, including:
•
•
Go to your doctor right away
night sweats, shortness of
breath, or weight loss. If
your cough doesn’t improve
• Genetic Diseases. Genetic diseases, including cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin
deficiency, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, increase the risk of NTM.
• Weak Immune System. Illnesses that affect the immune system, such as
Sjogren’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, may increase the risk. Certain drugs
can weaken the immune system, such as prednisone and other steroids.
• Medications. Some drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease
increases the risk of NTM.
• Esophageal (stomach) Disorders. Acid reflux (GERD) and other disorders of
the esophagus can increase the risk due to spillage of stomach contents into the
lungs.
• Postmenopausal Caucasian (White) Women. Some women may have an
increased risk for NTM. These women share certain physical features that include:
with treatment, you might
need to see a lung specialist.
Lung Disease. Many people have another underlying lung problem, such as:
▪ ▪ bronchiectasis
▪ ▪ COPD
if you have a cough that
won’t go away, with fatigue,
Age. It’s more common in older people.
▪ ▪ being tall and slender
▪ ▪ having a curved spine
▪ ▪ breastbone abnormalities
▪ ▪ mitral valve prolapse
•
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Environment. High-risk sources include showers, indoor hot tubs and pools,
and soil.