Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs are permanently damaged, widened, and thickened. These damaged air passages allow bacteria and mucus to build up in the lungs. This results in frequent infections and airway blockages.
Bronchiectasis is manageable, but it cannot be cured. With treatment, you can normally live a normal life. However, flare-ups must be treated quickly so oxygen flow is maintained throughout the rest of the body and further lung damage is prevented.
Any lung injury can cause bronchiectasis. There are two main categories of this condition. One is related to having cystic fibrosis (CF) and is known as CF bronchiectasis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes abnormal mucus production. The other category is not related to cystic fibrosis and is called non-CF bronchiectasis. The best known causes of non-CF bronchiectasis include:
- An abnormally functional immune system.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Deficiency alpha-1 antitrypsin (an inheritable cause of COPD).
- COPD.
- HIV
- Allergic aspergillosis (a lung allergic reaction to fungi).
About a third of all cases of bronchiectasis are caused by cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and other organs such as the pancreas and liver. In the lungs, this results in repeated infections. In other organs, it causes malfunctions.
The symptoms of bronchiectasis may take months or even years to develop. Some typical symptoms include:
- Chronic daily cough.
- Coughing up blood e.
- Abnormal sounds or wheezing in the chest with breathing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain
- Coughing up large amounts of thick mucus every day.
- Weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Thickening of the skin under the nails and toes, known as clubbing.
- Frequent respiratory infections
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
How is bronchiectasis diagnosed?
Your doctor will listen to your lungs for abnormal sounds or evidence of airway obstruction. You will likely need a complete blood test to look for infection and anemia.
