Bronchiectasis is a respiratory condition caused by deformities in the airways leading to the lungs. These airways can become wider and develop pockets due to repeated infections, and these physical changes can make it more difficult to eliminate mucus from the lungs.
There is no cure for bronchiectasis and symptoms can become progressively worse without the proper treatment. Here is what you should know about this chronic lung condition.
To understand how bronchiectasis progresses, one must first know how the condition affects the lungs. While it’s not always clear how lung damage occurs, many people with bronchiectasis initially experience some other type of respiratory infection, such as pneumonia. Inflammation from the infection causes damage to the lungs, which sets the stage for future infections.
As airways become wider or develop pouches, it gets harder for a person to clear mucus from the lungs. This mucus can then become a breeding ground for bacteria, which leads to more infections and more damage. Over time, the effects of bronchiectasis may get progressively worse and lead to sometimes severe complications.
The good news about this lung condition is that management of symptoms can prevent more serious effects from occurring. Accordingly, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments if you have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis:
To fight infections, people with bronchiectasis may receive a prescription for antibiotics. Macrolides are another infection-fighting medication that can also treat inflammation in the lungs and airways. Medications called expectorants and mucolytics are also beneficial for expelling mucus, and these can be found in prescription and non-prescription forms.
Along with medications, physical therapists can show patients breathing exercises helpful for clearing mucus from the airways. Medical devices, such as percussive vests and oscillating positive expiratory pressure machines can also benefit people with bronchiectasis.