Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a condition where the lung's bronchi become permanently damaged and widened. It leads to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. Bronchiectasis is more common in women than in men. The risk of developing bronchiectasis increases with age.

Tobacco smoking can worsen pulmonary function and accelerate the progression of disease that is already present.
  • Symptoms
  • Cough with mucus or without mucus

    • Production of clear-white mucus

    • Lasting 4 weeks or more

    • Production of yellowish-gray mucus

    • Recurrent

    • With bloody mucus

    common

    Blocked nose

    • Lasting 4 weeks or more

    common

    Difficulty breathing

    • Recurrent

    • Occurs or worsens with exertion

    common

    Reduced ability or completely losing sense of smell

    common

    Fatigue

    common

    Whistling breathing

    • Recurrent

    Leaking urine

    • During exercise or activities, or when coughing, laughing, or sneezing

    Chest discomfort

    • Sudden, intense spike of pain

    • Recurrent

    • Occurs or worsens with deep inspiration

    • Occurs or worsens with laughing, coughing or sneezing

    • Severe

    • Rapidly developing

    Weight loss

    Fever

    • Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F), Less than 38°C (100. 4°F)

  • Risk factors
  • History of gastroesophageal reflux disease

    Cystic fibrosis

    Tuberculosis

    or Infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs

    Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

    or Rheumatoid arthritis

    or Thick and hard skin

    or Marfan syndrome

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Falling sick easily

    Long-term difficulty breathing due to the narrowing of bronchi

  • Treatment
  • 1-Antibiotics. 2-Macrolides, drugs used to treat infections and inflammations at the same time. 3-Drugs that affect mucus and help you cough the mucus out. 4-Airway clearance devices to break up mucus and help you cough it out. 5-Bronchodilators. 6-Surgery.
  • Recommended specialist
  • If you have Bronchiectasis, then a visit to a pulmonologist is highly recommended.

    Contact a

    Pulmonologist

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