Page 8 - NTM Insight Pamphlet 2024

CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. CF patients have unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways and traps germs, including bacteria.
CF is a significant comorbidity for NTM lung disease. Some NTM patients are now being diagnosed with a form of CF as adults.
For more information on Cystic Fibrosis, treatment guidelines and locations of accredited treatment centers, visit ntminfo.org.
BRONCHIECTASIS
Bronchiectasis is the most common and significant comorbidity that NTM patients typically have.
Bronchiectasis is a structural change of the airways which damages muscle or elastic tissue of the bronchial tubes. These dilated bronchial tubes develop pouches that can trap mucus. Bronchiectasis is not curable but can be managed.
It often begins early in life and may be misdiagnosed as chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You might not be diagnosed for many months or even years, often having had repeated lung infections and difficulty breathing.
If you are unable to clear the mucus because it is trapped in the damaged airways, infection can grow. As the damage progresses, infections, including NTM, can recur.
For more information, visit bronchiectasisinfo.org or ntminfo.org.
INSIGHT - A Patient’s Perspective
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