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You are in: Home > Chest Information > Chest Conditions > Bronchiectasis > Keeping Well (Self–Management)

Keeping Well (Self–Management)

As well as taking any drugs that you are prescribed there is a lot you can do to help manage your condition and allow you to feel as well as possible, controlling your symptoms and avoiding infections.

One of the most important things is to learn about what symptoms are 'normal' for you and how to recognise if things are getting worse. Prompt treatment can stop you becoming very unwell and needing hospital treatment for an acute exacerbation.

Detailed information about the following topics is found in the Living with your chest condition section.

• Chest infections
• Chest clearance / physio exercises
• Stop smoking
• Coping with breathlessness
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Keep active
• Eat healthily
• Control your weight
• Controlling your environment
• Conserving energy
• Coping with depression and feeling down
• Coping with anxiety
• Relaxation
• Flying with a chest condition
• Your sex life

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Coping with an exacerbation

An exacerbation is when your condition deteriorates and your symptoms increase. One of the aims of your treatment is to reduce the number / frequency of exacerbations. So, it is important that you are aware of:

• What symptoms are 'normal' for you
• How to recognise if things are getting worse
• What you can do to avoid an exacerbation / chest infection

Look out for warning signs:

• Increased coughing
• Changes in your sputum: increase in amount produced, change of colour and thicker consistency
• Generally feeling unwell
• Feeling more tired
• Increased breathlessness
• Feeling feverish

Do not ignore your symptoms. Contact your doctor as soon as you notice any of the warning signs.

Be prepared

Discuss with your doctor what you should do if you start feeling unwell, including at the weekends, e.g. when and how to hand in a sputum sample and when to start taking antibiotics.

It can be helpful to have a supply of sputum sample pots, bags and labels at home so you can hand in a specimen whenever you need to.

If it is difficult to get an appointment with your GP ask for a telephone consultation.

Some GPs may prescribe antibiotics on a repeat prescription.

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