The tube-shaped airways within the lungs play a critical role in breathing. In some people, damage to the airways causes them to widen, which is a condition known as bronchiectasis. Cystic bronchiectasis is the most severe form of the condition and is characterized by the development of berry or grape-like deformities within the airways.
People with cylindrical bronchiectasis, which is a more common but less severe form of the disorder, do not always require treatment. On the other hand, cystic bronchiectasis treatments must address lung inflammation, mucus accumulation (it is harder for people with bronchiectasis to clear mucus from their lungs), and infections.
Medications are often a factor in patient’s bronchiectasis treatment plan. Drugs called mucolytics and expectorants reduce the thickness of mucus, which makes it easier to expel when coughing. Doctors also use antibiotics to address infections. Macrolides are another type of infection-fighting drug that also reduces lung swelling, which makes it ideal for bronchiectasis.
A large number of people who experience bronchiectasis do not have an obvious underlying cause. However, many people develop bronchiectasis after experiencing tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that impacts the lungs. This lung disorder is also associated with several other health conditions, including:
These conditions aggravate the tissues in the lungs, which leads to inflammation. Over time, repeated bouts of inflammation cause permanent lung damage and inhibit breathing. This is what is known as the “vicious cycle” of bronchiectasis.