Bronchiectasis is a disease characterized by damage to the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. People with bronchiectasis have airways that are loose and scarred. This makes it difficult to clear mucus, which can allow bacteria to grow and cause serious infections. Such damage may also prevent vital organs from getting adequate oxygen, since people with bronchiectasis sometimes have trouble breathing.
Cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease in which mucus blocks lung and digestive passageways, causes about half of bronchiectasis cases.
Other bronchiectasis causes include:
The most common symptom of bronchiectasis is a persistent cough that lasts for months at a time. In some cases, discharge from the cough may contain blood.
Other bronchiectasis symptoms include:
To diagnose bronchiectasis, doctors often perform chest X-rays, which can show abnormal lung areas and thickened, irregular airway walls. Most often, a computed tomography (CT) scan is used to confirm a bronchiectasis diagnosis. Lung function tests also measure how well lungs deliver oxygen to the blood.
In terms of treatment, bronchiectasis symptoms may be fought with the following:
Some ways to aid breathing with bronchiectasis include:
Inhaling warm mist and good hydration can also help alleviate discomfort.
In some cases, if these treatments are ineffective, a bronchoscopy (viewing bronchi via a tube through the mouth) or surgery may be necessary.
Bronchiectasis complications may include:
At its worst, bronchiectasis can cause all or part of a lung to collapse, which can result in potentially fatal respiratory or heart failure.
Those between 60 and 80 appear to be at highest risk, and bronchiectasis that is not related to cystic fibrosis is more common among women than men. Those with underlying lung damage or lung infections are also at high risk for bronchiectasis.
With proper treatment, most people with bronchiectasis can lead normal, active lives. However, people with bronchiectasis often need to avoid dust, fumes, gases and smoke, which can trigger symptoms.
A.D.A.M. Staff. (2010). Bronchiectasis. Retrieved January 7, 2009, from the Google Health Web site: https://health.google.com/health/ref/Bronchiectasis.
Health Central Network Staff. (2010). Bronchiectasis. Retrieved January 7, 2010, from the Health Scout Web site: http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/715/main.html.
Medoff, B., M.D. (n.d.). Bronchiectasis. Retrieved January 7, 2010, from the Medline Plus Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000144.htm.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Staff. (2009). What is bronchiectasis? Retrieved January 7, 2010, from the NHLBI Web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/brn/brn_all.html.
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