Bronchiectasis is a condition related to damage to the tubes in the lungs. This damage causes the tubes in the lungs to widen and develop pouches. The widening of the lungs makes it hard for patients to clear mucus from their lungs. Bronchiectasis cannot be cured but can be managed with proper treatment.
The most common symptoms of this condition are:
The severity of symptoms can vary widely in this condition. Some people might only experience mild coughing symptoms, while other patients might struggle on a daily basis to have the energy to get around. Recurring lung infections are tied to this condition as well, and this is one of the main complications that people with Bronchiectasis experience on an annual basis.
The cause of Bronchiectasis can vary. Often this condition is linked with having diseases like cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, or Sjogren’s syndrome. Those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis are also more prone to suffering from Bronchiectasis. If you have HIV, primary ciliary dyskinesia, or have had an organ transplant, you might also be at risk for Bronchiectasis.
The exact cause of Bronchiectasis is not well understood. It is likely that repeated irritation and infection of the tubes in the lungs can lead to this condition over time if you do not have one of the other primary health conditions listed above.
Physicians will start the diagnosis process by taking a full medical history of the patient. They will listen to your lungs, and then usually they will order a chest X-ray or a CT scan. Blood sputum tests can help to diagnose things like tuberculosis or lung infections. Genetic testing might be used to look for other comorbidities that can contribute to this condition.
Bronchoscopy is almost always done to look at the condition of the airways in the lungs. For those who have not been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, this condition might be ruled out by doing a sweat chloride test.
This condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed with proper supportive care. You might be given antibiotics to clear lung infections, and if you have tuberculosis, you will be treated for this condition as well. There are medical devices that help to rid the lungs of phlegm for those who suffer from cystic fibrosis and other complications that make normal coughing unproductive.
Expectorants and mucolytics help thin mucus out, and physical therapy can be done through chest percussion, and postural draining can also help to make it easier for patients to expel the mucus in their lungs. Oscillating positive expiratory pressure devices are recommended to help clear the lungs.
You can help prevent Bronchiectasis by making sure that you avoid getting sick with things like measles, the flu or pneumococcal disease. You can also stop smoking and avoid exposure to gases, vaping, or fumes. For those with underlying medical conditions, treatment of the underlying problems is key to preventing Bronchiectasis as well.